Responses to Julian Karswell, so far

So far, I've written three posts to Julian Karswell on my Wordpress.com blog. In forward chronological order, they are:

• Satanisms and politics: To Julian Karswell - May 17, 2008


• Further reply to Julian Karswell - May 22, 2008


• Satanisms and politics: More about Julian Karswell’s blog - May 24, 2008

Below, I'll copy and paste the first section (out of eight sections) of the third post, discussing what I see as the central issue between Julian and me:

In a post titled Nature of the Beast, Julian brings up one of my biggest problems with LaVeyan Satanism:

Most Satanic thought is predicated on the creation of a vaguely right-wing state where people would prosper according to their abilities. Strangely most of the Satanists I have had contact with, or read about, have been creative, thoughtful and non-violent (unless pushed). They often have 'alternative' lifestyles and sexualities. A Satanic state, given human nature, would very quickly become a state run by those with the skills to make the most money, for the benefit of the same! I've met enough of that type of person (and their Philistine ways) to know that sensitive arty types, and sexual 'deviants' would be the first against the wall in such a state.
Are Satanists really turkeys voting for Christmas?

You've hit the nail on the head here, Julian. That being the case, why do you continue to equate "Satanism" itself with LaVey's "vaguely right-wing" value system? Why do you continue to use the term "Satanic state" to refer to LaVey's ideal society, or something very similar to that?

It seems to me that Satanists need to move away from advocacy of pure capitalism and "social Darwinism" and advocate, instead, an agenda which would actually benefit the "sensitive arty types and sexual 'deviants'" who are, in fact, Satanism's core constituencies.

What, then, is Satanism? See the What is Satanism? page on my Theistic Satanism site.

For an example of a form of Satanism I think is far better suited to Satanism's core constituencies than LaVeyan Satanism, see Hekate and the Satanic School by Tim Maroney (circa 1990, edited 2002).

In another post, Julian talks about what he calls the Children of Leviathan: "creative, unworldly, given to interests in the occult and arcane aspects of life ... attracted to the shadows rather than the light, delving into the hidden things and nature’s secret ways, rather than accepting the readily presented norms."

That's a pretty good description of what I think Satanism (or Satanisms) should be about, while at the same time encouraging practicality.