Alternative To Satanism
By David L. Shadrick
Introduction
Hello, my name is Reverend David Shadrick, although I prefer Dave. Some of you may recognize me as the SEO Manager here at www.calamitypolitics.com. This is my second article responding to a publication done by another author. The article in question for today’s response is the recent article on LaVeyan Satanism and I’d like to offer an alternative to going Satanic.
Leaving Traditional Faiths
Currently, there has been a move from religion to spirituality. There is a feeling that organized religion doesn’t offer an alternative to going Satanic. With shootings, sexual abuse, and the feeling that much of what the ministers preach is out of line with the teachings of Jesus many people feel that church isn’t the place to practice their faith.
Spirituality vs. Religion
To better explain why Spirituality is an alternative to going Satanic, here is a joke that sums up why people feel more spiritual than religious. With spirituality, God is all good, everywhere, all the time. With religion, God puts all of His children in a room full of books and tells them “I’m going out for a while. Read these books and when I get back tell me which one is correct.” When God comes back He takes all the children who picked the right book out for ice cream, the rest He sets on fire.
The Spiritual
Spiritual people feel a closeness to the Divine and they pray often but you don’t find them in church. Often, these people look for another way to meet their spiritual needs other than traditional Christianity. As an alternative to going Satanic many have turned to “New Thought” Christianity.
New Thought Christianity
I am a “New Thought” minister. As an alternative to going Satanic I’d like you to understand that there is a new movement out there. “New Thought” Spiritual Centers (as opposed to Churches) are springing up all over the country. They offer a different take on spirituality and the nature of the Divine.
Inclusive
Right off the bat I want everyone to understand that I am in no way bashing anyone who worships Satan. Although my faith tradition is Christianity I honor those who seek the divine through their own faith tradition. The reason that “New Thought” is an alternative to going Satanic is that our beliefs include everyone even Satanists.
One Power
While everyone is free to be their own theologian, one of the core beliefs of “New Thought” is that there is only One Power. You can call it anything you like, worship in anyway you choose and the Divine won’t care as long as you are sincere. Since Satan is another name for the One Power, “New Thought” can be an alternative to going Satanic.
Unity
While I am not a Unity minister, it is the church I attend most often. Below are their “tenets” or the philosophy that Unity congregants use as an alternative to going Satanic. I have also put some explanation below the teachings that reflect the way I interpret the philosophy. You are free to make your own interpretations!
Unity Philosophy
“Unity teachings are based on universal spiritual principles that run like a thread through the world’s religions. These are laws that seem to govern humankind no matter where we live, how we view the Divine, or even whether we are aware these principles exist. They have been expressed in many ways through thousands of years, but the essence of them is this:
“1. God is all there is, present everywhere, and absolute good.”
So walls, food, oxygen, germs, humans, plastic – everything is made of the Divine. Oh, and the Divine wishes only the best for us.
“2. Human beings are created in the image of God and our very essence is divine; therefore, we are inherently good.”
The belief is that the soul is created in God’s image, not our physical forms. Humans are not borne of sin but of grace. Since everything is made of God so are we and that creates our inherent goodness.
“3. We create our life experiences through our way of thinking.”
Your positive outlook is everything. You create your own reality. If you believe some negative to be the truth then you invite it into your life. If you believe today is going to suck, it’s going to suck. Today I plan to be awesome!
“4. Our lives can be changed and transformed through the power of prayer.”
Even if you don’t call it prayer many New Thought people believe that simply having a group of people concentrate on a problem and focus on a positive outcome the problem can be solved. Unity has a group of people known as “Silent Unity” that do nothing but pray for world peace.
“5. Knowing these principles is not enough; we must live the truth we know.”
You have to practice what you preach for it to work!
More Information
The preceding comes from the Unity Worldwide Ministries. Please check out their website if you’re interested; http://www.unity.org/about-us/unity-philosophy. You will see from their information there is an alternative to going Satanic.
Conclusion
Many other paths are open as an alternative to going Satanic. Again, no bashing of the religion but for me it just focuses too much on the negative. We have enough negativity in the world so I aim for Love and Light.
The Prayer For Protection
The Light of the Divine surrounds you,
The Love of the Divine enfolds you,
The Power of the Divine protects you,
And the Spirit of the Divine watches over you,
Where ever you are, the Divine is, AND ALL IS WELL!!
– James Dillet Fremont
