Which is more "dangerous"?

[GreenMunchkin]

Have been pondering this a lot recently due to recent events, and I don't want to make this about people, so I'll qualify for a second, that Jebediah and I have been pming, and he's deceived by Satan, but in and of himself, he's nice. (A prayer chain for him would be good, by the way.)

Equally, there are many atheists here who are very kind people: Sparklecat and Grizzly spring to mind instantly. But have been wading my way through The God Delusion for the second time, and it's still a load of Fundamentalist Secularist nonsense. Full of pointless rhetoric and vitriol.

So which is more "dangeous" spiritually: fundamentalist atheism, a la Dawkins, or Satanism? Both are of Satan, but completely different methods, obviously, and we know Christ wins in the end, but which is more damaging here and now?

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

Hmm...first of all, I'm wondering why nobody has posted. Maybe cause it's Sunday here. *shrug*

My thought is that they can all be dangerous. However, I tend to think satanism is moreso than the others...if only because it's so dark.

[Criada]

Tend to agree that satanism is more obviously dangerous.....but in a secular society, I think that 'scientific' appearing atheist/rationalism may be more of a threat.
Cos - a lot of people dismiss satanism as fantasy (which is dangerous in itself)...and it is not really an acceptable belief in mainstream western society.
Whereas Dawkins is very much respected, and atheism is almost an academic qualification in the eyes of many. So - it's kind of easier to be an atheist than a satanist.

To the individual, I think satanism is more dangerous, because it is so very hard to escape from....
but for society as a whole, I would say atheism is more of a threat simply because it is so prevalent and accepted.

[Time2BCounted]

Tend to agree that satanism is more obviously dangerous.....but in a secular society, I think that 'scientific' appearing atheist/rationalism may be more of a threat.
Cos - a lot of people dismiss satanism as fantasy (which is dangerous in itself)...and it is not really an acceptable belief in mainstream western society.
Whereas Dawkins is very much respected, and atheism is almost an academic qualification in the eyes of many. So - it's kind of easier to be an atheist than a satanist.

To the individual, I think satanism is more dangerous, because it is so very hard to escape from....
but for society as a whole, I would say atheism is more of a threat simply because it is so prevalent and accepted.
Well said, and my sentiments too. I think the godless mentality is much mroe infectious, and therefore in reality the greater evil, though our kneejerk reaction might try to cause us to believe satanism is the greater threat or danger.

[Auntie]

So which is more "dangeous" spiritually: fundamentalist atheism, a la Dawkins, or Satanism? Both are of Satan, but completely different methods, obviously, and we know Christ wins in the end, but which is more damaging here and now?


Satanism is a thousand times more dangerous than atheism.

Compare the following:

My step-daughter is a Satanist, and she absolutely LOVES EVIL. And she DETESTS anything good. Charles Manson is her hero, Helter Skelter her favorite book.

My favorite Aunt is atheist. She is the sweetest, kindest, most loving person I know. Very giving, honest, without a mean bone in her body.

[bill16652]

In terms of danger personal and otherwise, satanism. In terms of number of people decieved, scientific reasoning by far. Have wanted top talk to Jebidiah myself, stated that in a thread but Erwin closed it before he could respond. Most satanists I have encountered love the power, for there is real power, more than most churches have but what will turn them is when they feel the real power of God and feel for themselves that it is a stronger power.

[GreenMunchkin]

The discussion that just went crazy was Satanic... a discussion centred around atheism would never get so out of control, would it?

But in terms of society, I do think fundamentalist atheism is the bigger threat, because it's "reasoned" and "logical".

[Simon_Templar]

Have been pondering this a lot recently due to recent events, and I don't want to make this about people, so I'll qualify for a second, that Jebediah and I have been pming, and he's deceived by Satan, but in and of himself, he's nice. (A prayer chain for him would be good, by the way.)

Equally, there are many atheists here who are very kind people: Sparklecat and Grizzly spring to mind instantly. But have been wading my way through The God Delusion for the second time, and it's still a load of Fundamentalist Secularist nonsense. Full of pointless rhetoric and vitriol.

So which is more "dangeous" spiritually: fundamentalist atheism, a la Dawkins, or Satanism? Both are of Satan, but completely different methods, obviously, and we know Christ wins in the end, but which is more damaging here and now?
I suppose it would depend somewhat on what sense you mean dangerous.. dangerous to the individual.. to society.. to christianity..

Most "satanism" in the LaVey sense is really a kind of militant humanist atheism. They believe in Satan more as an idea, or a philosophy of life, rather than an actual supernatural being.

I would say that this is more dangerous to the individual, but less to society as it is less likely to be widely accepted, but it will do more damage to the life of the individual in the here and now.

If you mean "real" satanism, then that, I would say is somewhat similar, in that it is more damaging to the dividual, but probably less dangerous to society because it will not be widely accepted.

More dangerous to society than either one is false religion in the form of new age psudo christian humanism (think oprah) because it is widely accepted, thus it has further reaching consequences.

I don't think any of them are particularly dangerous to christianity in the long term. The truth can not ultimately be over come. Darkness does not over shadow light.

[3girls2dogs]

I think that Atheism is more dangerous. In my own mind, I see it this way:

If someone believes in Satan, then they at least are open to having faith in *something*, and IMO, that at least leaves them open to God. But then again, I'm realizing that I'm not very bright in the ways of Theology.

[zoziw]

So which is more "dangeous" spiritually: fundamentalist atheism, a la Dawkins, or Satanism? Both are of Satan, but completely different methods, obviously, and we know Christ wins in the end, but which is more damaging here and now?

Spiritually speaking, both are equally dangerous but attract different kinds of people.

Neither is going to become a "big thing" in society and both represent fringe atheist movements that don't have much appeal in mainstream society.

In fact, outside of the internet, I have only met two of the Dawkins style of atheist, one in 1995 and another in 2004. I have never met someone who claims to be any kind of satanist.

[Balance]

IMO -

satanism is a large violent dog, drooling and frothing at the mouth - his incessant barking let's you know exactly what his intentions are.

Atheism is a large violent dog, drooling and frothing at the mouth that seldom barks, but his intentions are the same.

Both will run away like little whipped puppies at the sound of an 8 year old child, who is a believer in Christ.

[Rhamiel]

Satanism destories virtue very quickly but it never gets a lot of people at one time, just pick off some poor souls on the periphery.
Atheism has taken whole nations at once (the french and russian revolutions) but does not wipe away virtue as quickly or as totaly

also i think it would be easier to go from satanist to Christian then it would be to go from Atheist to Christian, one is just changing teams the other is having to addmit there is even a game going on