More Than Humanism

This page: The starting point for understanding Satanic philosophy towards mankind and our place in the universe is the same as understanding the basics of the Humanistic world view. But Satanism is more than Humanism. Satanism is religious whereas Humanism is not due to the religious symbolism, ceremony, ritualistic and dogmatic aspects of Satanism.

What is Humanism? According to the Council for Secular Humanism, a well known and respected Humanist organisation, Humanism is:

• A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply accepted on faith.
• Commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence, and scientific methods of inquiry, rather than faith and mysticism, in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions.
• A primary concern with fulfilment, growth, and creativity for both the individual and humankind in general.
• A constant search for objective truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it.
• A concern for this life and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us.
• A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human well-being and individual responsibility.
• A conviction that with reason, an open marketplace of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our children.

"Secular humanists accept a world view or philosophy called naturalism, in which the physical laws of the universe are not superseded by non-material or supernatural entities such as demons, gods, or other "spiritual" beings outside the realm of the natural universe. Supernatural events such as miracles (in which physical laws are defied) and psi phenomena, such as ESP, telekinesis, etc., are not dismissed out of hand, but are viewed with a high degree of skepticism."

Council for Secular Humanism

There is nothing here that contradicts the Satanic view of the world. Note that I am biased as I consider myself a Humanist, and considered myself one since before I was a Satanist.

Many Humanists dismiss Satanism, even those who study it. Some find it disturbing, some find it stupid, but most find it pointless. Which is fine, Humanists are in general skeptical and intelligent to an admirable degree. However Humanism does not fulfil all the needs of all people, religious imagery and ritual satisfy our psyche in obscure ways that Humanism lacks and Satanism offers.

"Humanism is not a religion. It is simply a way of life with no ceremony or dogma. Satanism has both ceremony and dogma."

The Satanic Bible, Book of Lucifer 3:paragraph 22

Humanism is thoroughly productive and down to Earth, an all-round force for goodness, intelligence, intelligent and non-mystical morality that is based on reason, not faith. As the basis of morality within Satanism, Humanism is very hard to fault aside from its lack of religious imagery and ritual. In the modern secular world, such things are not acknowledged as useful to all people. And indeed they're not.

Satanism cannot be arrived at through pure logic, unlike Humanism, as Satanism requires religious imagery and therefore requires the knowledge of previous religions. Culturally, without the legacy of "demonic" Human instinct given to us by self-denying religious philosophy and asceticism, Satan would not represent these things and Humanism would be enough for all.

Satanism is reactive to this, a ritual cleanser. Raising Hell is purely metaphorical however the fires will still cleanse us from religion and stupidity in a dramatic way that Humanism doesn't. This can be socially or personally. The author was not brought up with religion, so for me the effects are considered social, whereas for those who were brought up religiously mere Humanism is not enough of a statement, Satanism, however, is frequently the ultimate anti-religious act. Even if it is just a staging post for personal healing.

"It has never been enough for us to be atheistic - we have learned how to smash religious ignorance by beating them at their own game, using the Christians' own manufactured fears to destroy them"

"The Devil's Notebook" by Anton LaVey, p85

We have a need for dogma and ritual

"The increasing interest in all aspects of Paganism, Shamanism, the New Age, new religious movements, the occult and alternative religion is caused, according to multiple authors, by the lack of ritual and religious trapping of science and materialism combined with the lack of trust and truth in the major religions. Satanism, as a materialistic philosophy combined with ritual and religious imagery, satisfies the need for dogma and ritual. As Satanism is also anti-religion and pro-freethought, it allows for activism and energetic adherency which are both things that many people are drawn to."

"People Need Dogma" By Vexen Crabtree 2002 Nov 13

Conclusion
Humanism shares materialistic views and ethical methodology with the Satanist and we have the same opinions on the emptiness of religion. Satanism is religious whereas Humanism is not due to the religious symbolism, ceremony, ritualistic and dogmatic aspects of Satanism. Satanism is also Left Hand Path, Humanism is not. For these reasons, although Satanists are not strictly "religious" in most senses of the word, Satanism is clearly a religion. Although the differences in metaphysics are so extremely opposed to what is classically considered 'religious' that some take to calling Satanism the unreligion, which is a term I find appealing!