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There are few people here of alternate religions. We had an irreligious atheist, a Wiccan (not sure if she was fluffy or not), and two LaVeyan Satanists, myself being one of them.

I am assuming this is in regards to what Takai said in another thread. There are some, what I would consider more rational individuals in this guild who are Christians. They aren't any less Christians, nor do they have a weaker relationship with God. They simply find some practices of certain sects to be, perhaps, incorrect. (That... or my ebul saytanick magjicxksz is working.)

It's no surprise, considering that some practices could harm an individual, physically, mentally, emotionally, or even spiritually. Take excorcism for example... or the radical "god power" practices portrayed in Jesus Camp. If that movie was not "cult like," I'm not really sure what is.

Though really, I think you should clarify on what exactly "God Power" is... It's not a Bibleman power, is it?

first of all, i am a saved sinner. i accepts the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Westminster Shorter Catechism (my favorite Q&A being the first). i believe knowing God is the chief pursuit of this life. like 1 John says, to know God is to know love and to be transformed by that love, and therefore that love changing the way you act towards people. knowing God however is an eternal pursuit as God is not completely knowable. God is found in His Word, which He values above His own name, and it is in His Word that we may seek to know Him better, and through prayer, not just talking but listening to the whispers of His Spirit. i know that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, eternal, gracious, merciful, just, slow to anger, and this His chief attribute is love, all of which i have learned from reading just a few books of the Bible. i do not limit God and know that He can do all things. as still being in my mortal body, i know that i still sin but that Christs' blood covers it, which makes me want to do less sin at of gratitude for such an act and because i know it grieves Him. i agree with John Wesley however that there is a perfection attainable in this life, though we can still error, but yet always doing things in love.

now that i have that out of the way, i'd like to say that i am suspicious when it comes to the miraculous, simply because i do not have the gift of discerning of spirits, so i am not completely sure what is behind the miraculous event occurring. i will not speak specifically about the gold dust miracles because i know very little about it; too little to make an educated opinion. however, the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (which is usually associated with gold dust and gold fillings) is, from my point of view, way too focused on the miraculous. that was the error of the Corinthian church, so much so that they looked down upon those who they deemed were not as "spiritual" as they were. the thing is ... does one who puts so much emphasis on the supernatural have a foundation of rock or of sand? what will happen when their house of miracles is blown over by the wind? will that person still love God as they did when they were witnessing miracles around them? i am not trying to discredit anybody's faith nor any miracles (except the hokey televangelist healing seminars ... those are just lame), but instead i am simply saying that it is easy to be sucked up into it and lose sight on God. so i do agree with what Takai said. i remember a friend told me they went to a Pentecostal church and recalled that the was a high "spiritual feeling" in the place. i asked if it could've just been an emotional high, and she replied "most likely". emotions alone are not good judges most of the time.

if God's working through miracles, great. i believe that all of the spiritual gifts are still active today. but i try to be cautious when something miraculous.

Yes... and? LaVeyan Satanism was the first form of Satanism to be an actual organized religion. Before that, it was merely a pejorative.

I sincerely hope, for your own good, that you are not attempting to insult me nor my religion.

Hey, I'm from a pentacostal church as well, and I really can't see where you are coming from on this one---Faith means miracles won't happen?

I don't get it. You see, Jesus said that faith the size of mustard seed could move mountains. Faith, little or great, can bring about God's blessing. Miracles are God's way of helping to confirm our faith, to validate us.

I think you may be refering (in a roundabout way) to the idea of faith and deeds--that belief alone is not enough to develop a substantial relationship with Christ; it is something that must be walked out. that I can show my faith by my deeds, I can't show my faith if their is no fruit born....

am I even making sense?

In direct response to your original question--I'm doing alright with God. gets better everyday, and that's all I can ask for, right?

Then you have absolutely no understanding of Satanism at all. It is called Satanism while it does not condone the worship of an external deity known as Satan, just like Theravada Buddhism is atheistic and worships no Buddha. We've got a Satan, but he isn't a deity, nor a figure of worship. He is a concept--a metaphor, and an appropriate one. This, you would understand, if you actually carefully read The Satanic Bible, instead of flipping through it and coming completely ignoring context and... well, content. Try "Wanted--God, Dead or Alive." It explains the Satanic take on a deity. Then try, at most basic, the Nine Satanic Statements, and the chapter "Some Evidence of a New Satanic Age" (if I'm not mistaken) which explains why it is appropriate to call Satanism Satanism.

I fail to see how the lack of belief in a certain deity makes a religion unworthy of calling itself anything with that deity's name in the name of the religion. If you disagree, you'd best get after those Buddhists.

How your personal enjoyment won't hurt others? Where does it say anything about that. It speaks out against rape and the likes, yes, but it doesn't hold a Wicca-like creed. Like Gardner, LaVey used Crowley's "do as thou wilt." Gardner added an addendum "an' it harm none." LaVey did not. We believe in more of a "do as thou wilt so long as it ain't illegal."

You were into fluffy Satanism then? Even the theistic Satanists don't invest in "conjuring curses," at least not in that sense. The Church of Azazel is less into asking for favours from demons/spirits/Satan, and more into dedicating themselves to them/him in a ceremonial matter. They are, I daresay, the only RHP Satanism religion.

You got into Joy of Satan or what? Joy of Satan is to Satanism as Silver Ravenwolf is to Wicca.

That, or you made your own little religion up and called it Satanism?

gonk Dosen't look like I have missed too much here.... I'll just be going again..... gonk

the one that made me laugh the most was the one that talked about how Jesus committed all of the seven deadly sins.

but the sad thing is people buy into that garbage.