Black Magick Musings..., Seductive Rhetoric Options

It has been said by the philosophers that God is dead. Yet Satan lives.

It occurred to me yesterday that many people are more deeply affected by their fear of black magick, are more convinced by the possible reality of 'demons', and more influenced by the perceived powers of "satan," than they are affected by another mainstream or off-beat spiritual system.

Case in point, I know atheists who laugh at the idea of a "God" or other spirits, but who become very afraid at seeing a copy of The Goetia or The Satanic Bible. I also know Catholics who don't take their "religion" seriously, but who take "evil black magick" very seriously; one's prayers may be completely ineffective, but be sure that anything incanted by mean Mr. Crowley or Anton Lavey and their followers will be sure to have real outcomes.

The dynamics of deliberately using the threat of black magick, to gain worldly influence aside, I'm very interested in what this means about us as spiritual seekers who grow in a climate where these factors are often true. For if Satan has all power in the world, and can be relied upon to answer at the worshipper's beck and call by our power to fear, feel, and thus invoke him, is Satan then not God?

"...there is an old parable which relates how the hound that had tempted man the whole length of his perilous journey, devoured him on the Summit of that Mystic Mountain; and how that Ancient DOG was indeed GOD himself." (Temple of Solomon the King).

...would a rose by any other name smell just as pungent?

...especially if the black magician tricks himself into following God!

In sum though, the question remains...where does the pied piper lead if he is followed? I look forward to your responses...

p.s. This would be more an example of a "Theistic" sort of demonology or Satanism than otherwise.

This post has been edited by monkman418: Jan 18 2011, 11:17 PM

Yes, the story follows the popular idea of "deals with the devil", not the concepts in Goetia (or Abramelin, or Bardon, or many Eastern systems). But it does go back to your original question.

Most people are ruled by fear. Not surprising, as their lives are set up to teach them that avoidance of suffering is the normal goal of living. Even when they suppress it (because they're afraid of admitting it to themselves) that attitude becomes an unconscious guide in everything they do or think. If they're trained in some form of religion when young they may give lip service to the idea of an all-powerful, beneficent God but really, deep down, they don't believe it. Also, consider that magickal processes can be used by untrained persons with natural gifts and that even in cultures without a magickal tradition this occasionally occurs. Thus the fear of "black magick" even by atheists and most of those who profess to be "saved".

So most everyone who reads that story will agree with the moral. Magick is bad and the "demons" are out to get you. That's what they believe.

Besides, my muse is Thalia, and when Tomber said "fair enough", well... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yes, the story follows the popular idea of "deals with the devil", not the concepts in Goetia (or Abramelin, or Bardon, or many Eastern systems). But it does go back to your original question.

Most people are ruled by fear. Not surprising, as their lives are set up to teach them that avoidance of suffering is the normal goal of living. Even when they suppress it (because they're afraid of admitting it to themselves) that attitude becomes an unconscious guide in everything they do or think. If they're trained in some form of religion when young they may give lip service to the idea of an all-powerful, beneficent God but really, deep down, they don't believe it. Also, consider that magickal processes can be used by untrained persons with natural gifts and that even in cultures without a magickal tradition this occasionally occurs. Thus the fear of "black magick" even by atheists and most of those who profess to be "saved".

So most everyone who reads that story will agree with the moral. Magick is bad and the "demons" are out to get you. That's what they believe.

Besides, my muse is Thalia, and when Tomber said "fair enough", well... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Ah, I see. That makes sense.

Sorry to interject my pet peeve on you here; I can forgive "the commoners" for their fear, but quickly become irritated when occultists condemn occultism. Obviously this isn't what you were going for, and I'm glad you could clarify (and that I didn't get too jumpy!).

I was disappointed with Tomber's response, I appreciate his fierce debate and had hoped Vagrant's remarks would instigate a vigorous discussion. Your story was very well written and enjoyable; I hope you have my assurances that my responding debate is my way of saying that I like you and appreciate what you have to say.