To: alt.religion.all-worlds
From: vmsmith1@aol.com (VMikeSmith) [!]
Subject: Re: CAW & Satanism: Another view
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 20:23:33 -0800

> ...If indeed CAW is based upon SIASL, then CAWs primary doctrine is 
> "Thou art God".  Now it happens that according to Xtian's, Satans sin 
> is a belief that he is equal to God, that he is God.  Indeed, a Satanist 
> could say "I am God".  How much difference is there between "I am
> God" and "Thou art God"?

> One implies the other, I would say.  And that makes any CAWite (or
> ULCAWite for that matter) a Satanist (at least by Xtian definition).  Now
> (some) CAWites (forgive me if you are offended by that) are backing away
> from SIASL, and deemphasising "thou art God" (after all CAW is a real
> church and must change with the times) and embracing more traditional
> Pagan dieties, thus finding powers that are greater than themselves (a
> definate departure from the theology of Valentine Michael Smith - who may
> have recognized other dieties, but acknowledged them as equals ("Old
> Ones")). This then, separates them from Satanists who still hold on to
> "thou art God/ I am God".
 
> I suggest that perhaps CAW is anti-Satanism because Satanism is actually a
> more honest manifestation of the basic theology of CAW.  It hits too close
> to home.  And perhaps the back-pedaling on SIASL  is a manifestation
> (perhaps unconscious) of anti-Satanism as well.
 
> Mike
> 
> PS:  I don't have a problem with Satanism per say.  I found the Satan of
> Heinleins novel, "Job: A Comedy of Justice" a very likable fellow.
> Likewise, the Lucifer of the Rosicrucians (who saved mankind from Yahweh
> by freeing him from Eden so he could evolve into a higher being and not
> remain Yahweh's "pet") is a heroic figure.

EOF