What Is Satanism?

These instances displays Milton's portrayal of Satan’s ineptitude to win against God’s supremacy. Although Satan is a dark figure that everyone wants to escape from, Milton maximizes the devil’s qualities to portray him as the oppressed fighter for freedom. Milton also humanizes Satan’s attributes by displaying his weaknesses and defeats in the face of the all knowing Creator. Then he is the absolute enemy that deceives and enchants man to succumb to their weaknesses. Milton deliberately creates a reason why Satan is necessary to God by examining the Scripture and was further elevated by C.S.

Therefore, it is believed that this knowledge is received by some supernatural involvement or connection. Anton LaVey of the First Church of Satan in San Francisco, California, says that: Satanism is a blatantly selfish, brutal religion. It is based on the belief that man is inherently a selfish, violent creature... that the earth will be ruled by those who fight to win. Young Satanists believe that the strong will rule with Satan. Once they are sufficiently involved, they often make a deal with Satan.

Who is Satan? Satan’s definitions include the advocate of God, a personification of evil, the fallen angel, a spirit created by God, and also the accuser. People see Satan differently, some know of his existence, others think of him as just a myth, and there are those that just ignore him. John Milton's Paradise Lost tells of Satan's banishment from Heaven and his gain of earth. He and his brigade have plotted war against God and are now doomed to billow in the fiery pits of hell.

In actuality, the antichrist’s who were developed from the schism tried with diligence to follow God’s word by the bible, but because of some miss interpretation were led astray. Humans may have been led to become an antichrist due to original sin, or maybe due to the devils trickery in an attempt to take God’s glory. Regardless, that does not mean all antichrists are one antichrist. This is a fact which Christians need to remember. An antichrist might be an individual who completely follows God all the time, but does not accept Jesus as Christ because they have been misled.

Henry Cordes REL 110 ADO Wetherholt 12/10/17 Satanism Typically, when someone thinks of religion, they think about worship of a higher power, compassion for all living things, and a general love of the world. Satanism, while a religion, does not fit these conventions. The faith holds no belief in a higher power, is rather selfish in nature, and paints a bleak picture of the world and its workings. In addition, Satanism has controversy riddled history dating back to the seventeenth century. Due to the religion’s unconventional nature, it is often looked down upon and its principles and values are ridiculed.

One of those is an adversary. The dictionary tells us that an adversary is one’s opponent in a contest, conflict or dispute. I believe that Satan is in constant conflict with God. We read in Luke 8:12 that, “the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved” (NIV). He wants what God has and will do everything in his power to tempt God’s people to come to his way of thinking.

The devil, in literature, is always a catalyst of change for those who encounter him. He is a force working underground, moving against what is widely considered virtuous and good, and it is contact with him that often changes the course of characters lives, and even the world. In Paradise Lost and a book based on it, The Golden Compass, ‘the devil’, in both cases, is an advocate for moving away from the control of God and the Church. Where the stories differ, is in the author’s intent for these actions. In the former, John Milton uses the devil to display how vanity and pride are the sins that halt us in an opportunity to live blissfully, with and under God.

“When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of all lies” (John 8:44). This excerpt from The New Oxford Annotated Bible identifies the devil as the root of deceit; in Shakespeare 's Othello, deceit is the tool antagonist Iago uses to corrupt his companions. The portrayal of Iago in Othello reflects that of Satan in The New Oxford Annotated Bible. Iago reflects Satan in that he deceives his victims, manipulates his victims ' actions, and causes his victims to harm and condemn themselves. Iago reflects Satan in that he deceives his victims.

The reader’s distaste for Satan is strengthened by Satan’s shift in motives. The conquering of humans, which he originally presented as a rebellion against God and his authoritative rule, later came to be about pure corruption and hate. It’s therefore possible to say that if Satan had never given up on his original reasoning, he would still be the hero of Paradise Lost. Works Cited # Milton, John. “Paradise Lost.” The Norton Anthology of English Literature.

The reader’s dislike of Satan is strengthened by Satan’s shift in motives. The rebellion against God, which he originally describes it as an act of freedom, later comes to be about pure corruption and hate. It’s therefore apparent that if Satan had never given up on his original motives, he could have been the hero of Paradise Lost.