Re: LaVeyan Satanism and Carvaka.
Namaste,
I am of the same opinion as Yajvan in this case. Why bother going into depths about Satanism? To say it gave rise to Carvaka school of philosophy and tradition is as ignorant as saying Christianity and Judaism gave rise to Sanatana Dharma. I am not well versed on the precepts or creeds of the Satanic religion, but I will admit that yes, the Catholic Church and Christians in general have twisted the truth greatly as to their lifestyle and philosophies, depicting them as sex maniacs and psychopathic murderers. But hey, what religion hasn't been painted in a bad light by fundamental Christians?
Much less harmful than Fundamentalist Christianity and Islam. Of course I don't think it's right per se but I do give it credit to stand up to the absurd arbitrary rules of Christianity.
At the same time, I am doubtful as to whether many devout Satanists are really true Carvaka philosophers. I have read from other sources that some believe in chaos to be the true order of the universe and that all things arise from and in it (not sure how this fits in with LaVey's writings). I do remember reading some article that explained the tenets of Satanic lifestyle and reading that the ultimate end was to serve oneself. Yes, it seems like selfishness and "doing what you like" was the underlying message of Satanism; you are "God", so put yourself first. A bit removed from "tat tvam asi", wouldn't you agree? And while I hardly think it is a threat to dharma (whether Hinduism or any other spiritual school), to say it is not as bad as fundamental Christianity or Islam is bordering on the ludicrous. Yes, some of the more conservatist Abrahamic faiths can be extremely misguided and still "sleeping" (as Nayasurya often puts it), grossly misinterpreting their own scriptures and being blind to the truth in other faiths, but at least the key tenet of "serve others, love your neighbour, remember and give thanks to God" remains the same. Can you imagine a fundamental Satanist in that case, who works only for himself, feeding his ego and his greed until he has deemed to have lived his life to the full, and therefore considered it "meaningful" in his brief lifetime on earth? To say nothing of the destruction or the waste left in his wake in his path to self-fulfillment and self-aggrandizement. It is surely the antithesis of any religion, let alone Sanatana Dharma!
Om namah Shivaya
"Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny."
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Om Gam Ganapataye namah
लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु ।
Lokaah SamastaaH Sukhino Bhavantu
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