Even if you have a negative reaction to these, one might wonder, "Well, technically, what makes them evil?"
As noted at the top, almost all of these devolve into manipulation of others. I have come to think that this is in fact the very definition of evil: treating others as means, rather than as ends in themselves.
Also funny is that if you read this list and recall any Satanists you may have encountered, you think, "Yep, that's what they do alright." Which in my book makes them slaves all over again, and they don't have the level of consciousness to realize it.
Some simple examples: a baby crying is a manipulation. A shopkeeper setting a price of 0.99 instead of 1 is a manipulation. A smile and funny joke to a girl you like is a manipulation.
None of these things are inherently bad.
Manipulation with intent to hurt is another story, but that's just one side of the coin.
Reread my original comment. The point is subtle, and I find that subtlety gets by almost everyone (by definition, perhaps) even when they bother putting forth the effort to understand. Most people love too much thinking they already have the answer. That's because it makes them comfortable.
And that subtle point has greatly informed my view of the evolution to the current situation.
Even if you have a negative reaction to these, one might wonder, "Well, technically, what makes them evil?"
As noted at the top, almost all of these devolve into manipulation of others. I have come to think that this is in fact the very definition of evil: treating others as means, rather than as ends in themselves.
Also funny is that if you read this list and recall any Satanists you may have encountered, you think, "Yep, that's what they do alright." Which in my book makes them slaves all over again, and they don't have the level of consciousness to realize it.
Manipulation of others is neither good nor evil inherently. It's part of the human experience, we are all both manipulators and manipulated.
I maintain my conclusion, but those who are interested in using other people for their own ends seek to justify themselves by inventing excuses.
Satanists teach their followers to stop lying, especially to themselves, but in my experience few posses the discipline to follow this directive.
Some simple examples: a baby crying is a manipulation. A shopkeeper setting a price of 0.99 instead of 1 is a manipulation. A smile and funny joke to a girl you like is a manipulation. None of these things are inherently bad.
Manipulation with intent to hurt is another story, but that's just one side of the coin.
Reread my original comment. The point is subtle, and I find that subtlety gets by almost everyone (by definition, perhaps) even when they bother putting forth the effort to understand. Most people love too much thinking they already have the answer. That's because it makes them comfortable.
And that subtle point has greatly informed my view of the evolution to the current situation.