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richardhutnik on 19 November 2012
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kaneada said:

I disagree with several statements you've made; however, I don't think I am qualifying what an iduldgence is and what that means in Satanism very well, so allow me to try. It is "our" belief that Christianity teaches people to deny their emotional spectrum, to deny things such as desire, anger, pleasure, many of which lead to experiences that we believe are necessary to leading a gratifying life. Chrisitianity views certain carnal behaviors as impure with an exception of certain pre-defined conditions as defined in the Bible. We believe that those things should be indudged, but be indulged responsiblity hence to avoid the extreme of compulsive behavior.

We hold the contention that personal excellence is owed to the self, that the only person it must gratify is ourselves, whether it be an artistic endeavour, career growth, card collecting, whatever suits us. While you touch on a point very accurately, that sometimes there is little line between induldgence and compulsion, that is what we as Satanists aim to clairfy for ourselves, to better be aware of who we are as people, which in our view leads to self mastery. Once again, a Satanist doesn't view their beliefs as a religion, we don't pray to or worship any God, we are at heart athiest objectivists, but we view the idea of Satan as a representation of humanity as a carnal, materialistic being, that should be celebrated.

I would have to say that Christianity doesn't speak of denying emotional spectrum, just not having elements of it run amok, or got to an extreme.  It speaks of not dwelling in some emotions.  Lust and anger are two, as would envy and others.  Such emotions can destroy a person, and others, if lived in.  Anger ruins relationships and one's health.  Lust ends up causing one to act in the wrong time, and overextend or get tied up.  Envy destroys discontentment.  There is speaking of states to dwell in and others to move from.  There is also talk of moving out of fear to.  Any emotion you see in the Bible mentioned as avoiding, is done because of the downside.  It isn't a matter of never experiencing it, but moving from them, when one can. Every emotion laid out ends up having lots of downside, with little good.  With every one laid out as having harm, there are alternatives that work superior for people.  And not just the individual, but others the individual relates with.  The goal is redemption, not some sort of end in things for oneself.