satanists are people too

the british royal navy registers its' first 'satanist'

Published on October 25, 2004 By mignuna In Current Events

According to BBC News, the British Armed forces has given permission for 24 year old Chris Cranmer to officially register as a ‘Satanist’, which will allow Mr. Cranmer, a Naval Technician, to perform 'satanic rituals' on board Naval vessels.

Mr. Cranmer says that he became a Satanist around nine years ago, after reading a copy of “The Satanic Bible” by Anton Szandor LaVey, who founded the Church Of Satan in San Francisco in 1966 (and remained its' high priest until his death in 1997).

Church of Satan followers live by the ‘Nine Satanic Statements’, which include "indulgence instead of abstinence", "vengeance instead of turning the other cheek" and "(committing) all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification".

Mr. Cranmer, who is from Edinburgh, is now lobbying the Ministry of Defence to make Satanism a registered religion in the armed forces, with a spokesman for the Royal Navy saying that “We are an equal opportunities employer and we don't stop anybody from having their own religious values."

Former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe said she was "utterly shocked" by the Royal Navy's decision, stating that "Satanism is wrong. Obviously the private beliefs of individuals anywhere, including the armed forces, are their own affair but I hope it doesn't spread".

She added that "The Royal Navy should not permit Satanist practices on board its ships. God himself gives free will, but I would like to think that if somebody applied to the Navy and said they were a Satanist today it would raise its eyebrows somewhat" .

*Quoted text from : Link

Comments (Page 2)

SSG Geezer

on Oct 26, 2004

I have run into a few practicing satanists in the Army, Also a few druids, lots of Wiccans, many many Buddhists, and Christian religions of every stripe. There really isn't much difference in their work attitudes, so I really don't think it is a real big deal. I think mental instability in anyone serving is a much bigger worry.

Texas Wahine

on Oct 26, 2004

Something interesting (and kind off-topic, sorry mig!) that I've noticed is that the Army base here offers services for Roman Catholics, All Saints Liturgical Service (Lutheran / Episcopal), Gospel, Jewish, Islamic, Orthodox, Pagan (Wicca), Contemporary Protestant, and Protestant . . . some of which are held in the same building!

SiRMetMan

on Oct 27, 2004

In my opinion, the only comment worth the time it took to type it, with the exception of the initial post, is by Geezer. Everything else is supposition, and some border on character assassination of someone I would bet none of you know anything about or have ever met.

To all you that berate this guy you've never even seen on the street as a self-centered threat to society, remember that there is a difference between being concened for yourself to the exclusion of all others and being concerned primarily with your own wellbeing. Just because he believes in putting himself first does not mean he places no value in the directions, wellbeing, and situations of others.

mignuna

on Oct 28, 2004

remember that there is a difference between being concened for yourself to the exclusion of all others and being concerned primarily with your own wellbeing.

i do agree with this statement, sirmetman, although the difficulty seems to lie in the blending of a religion that encourages such things as theivery and lying with an institution designed to serve and protect. it would of course depend on the individuals' application of their 'rights' under their religion, and how far they will go in following its' rules, but acting in a way designed to bring about disorder and unhappiness whilst at work could potentially lead to the endangerment of others. thankyou for your input, and nice to 'meet' you.

the Army base here offers services for Roman Catholics, All Saints Liturgical Service (Lutheran / Episcopal), Gospel, Jewish, Islamic, Orthodox, Pagan (Wicca), Contemporary Protestant, and Protestant . . . some of which are held in the same building!

that indeed sounds like a tribute to good organisation plus co-operation, texas !

Something interesting (and kind off-topic, sorry mig!)

i'm always up for a little sideways topic movement, texas. you're welcome anytime

There really isn't much difference in their work attitudes, so I really don't think it is a real big deal. I think mental instability in anyone serving is a much bigger worry.

that's very interesting, ssg geezer. thanks for your balanced view on this. it goes to show that the potential harm of something can mean more than its actual application. .

mig XXX

SiRMetMan

on Oct 28, 2004

There is no reason why, as a stanist, you couldn't percievce the advancement and protection of civil society as a direct benefit to yourself, and thus serving for the gov't would be an advancement of your own self-interest.

island_gurl12

on Oct 28, 2004

"There is no reason why, as a stanist, you couldn't percievce the advancement and protection of civil society as a direct benefit to yourself, and thus serving for the gov't would be an advancement of your own self-interest."

Does this mean that in satanism, the N° 1 rule is self gratification? I really thought it was the total opposite of what christianism teaches us (love, compassion, etc...)

Forgive my ignorance, i am willing to learn:)

stevendedalus

on Oct 28, 2004

some of which are held in the same building!

Now that's ecumenical!!

citahellion

on Oct 29, 2004

SiRMetMan,
just because SSGG is the only one who mentioned his satanic credentials doesn't mean he's the only one who has them. It's been a long time since I read the Satanic Bible, and it's been a long time since I lived with a Satanist, but I have done both.

SiRMetMan

on Oct 30, 2004

cita, he is the only one with any experience, as far as I know, with the imediate issue of satanists in the military. I have had satanist friends, but I would not concider myself to have enough practical knowlege to really speak on what effect being a stanist would have in the armed services.

And Island Girl, as far as I know, yes, the key tenant of satanism is self gratification. It's not specifically anti-Bible, it's more a-bible, if that makes sense.

mignuna

on Oct 31, 2004

thanks for your comments, everyone. i'm sorry i didn't answer. for some reason i thought this was the spammer. the issue here has divided into several areas.

the issue of the way an individual seeking personal gratification can make them potentially unsuitable for their duties is a strong one, and as we can see from the comments, the individual concerned would either need to suspend these views whilst on active duty, or make a commitment to his co-workers that he would be prepared to override these 'out for yourself only' orders in the event of selflessness being required - part of the job of Navy personnel.

that the individual concerned be seen as someone who seeks betterment for the world through active service, despite my agreement that this the most desirable outcome in this situation, i myself do not feel that the individual concerned would commit to satanism initially if he had this mindset.

these were all valid points. thankyou island gurl, citahellion, stevendedalus and sirmetman for your very welcome imput, this was just what i was hoping for.

mig XX

imajinit

on Nov 01, 2004

most Christians would tell you that we're all sinners. What is it that makes us sinners? self-indulgence perhaps? I see a hot chick walking thru the gym and I lust over her. I imagine what it would be like to bend her over the nearest piece of body building equipment and... oh, sorry... got a little off track there.

where was I? ah yes, Sinners. Aren't the overwhelming majority of us guilty of self-indulgence? Don't lie. So what's the damned difference between us everyday sinners and a Satan worshipper? Is it cause sinners feel bad about their sin and Satanists don't?

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