This is interesting, I almost posted something like this myself. More often than not I find myself relating to Satanists more so than to many Atheists themselves, to a point where I explored the philosophy as a possible choice for my own guidance.
The only real difference that I personally see between Satanism and Atheism, is the "ritual" aspect. Satanism can offer a sense of Spiritualism that many Atheists still feel they can relate too and have a need for. I learned that I simply had no need or desire for it as well, and I also have a problem with using a moniker which is so closely related to the western abrahamic religions desert deity "SATAN"...if it is just utilizing the godless archetype as a name only. Which these are just about the only reasons I can still claim myself to be Atheist. More astute, knowledgeable Christian evangelists have spotted the trappings of this philosophy in my beliefs as well and mistakenly labeled me a Satanist, but the observation was so close I never even bothered to correct them.
I read the Satanic Bible, and I find it to be pretty sophomoric, the idea's put forth in it's contents to me read more like a childrens book for Atheism with the trappings of godless ritual to help cement his point, then containing any spiritual wisdom or any semblance of "enlightenment", then again I feel no real reason to pursue a sense of spiritualism or enlightenment at all, so it is again with my lack of understanding of such matters, with no real desire to understand.
most LaVeyans are atheistic "symbolic" Satanists, they claim the name in it's archetype form only, but hold concrete Atheist views. I have very close Atheist friends that have such a (morally nihilistic) view towards life on this earth they make Anton LaVey's ideas seem as harmless as a newborn kitten.
There are many other branches of Satanism besides LeVeyan. Like....
Paradigm Satanism
Pantheistic or Panentheistic Satanism
Polytheistic Satanism
Luciferianism and/or Gnostic Luciferianism
Christian-based duotheism <----this is just good 'ol fashioned devil worship "praise the goat, and hail satan"
the others I can elaborate on, but I have a feeling this thread will be dodged like the bubonic plague. But maybe I will be proved wrong.
But excellent thread post Atlblkz06, reps too you! and I will stick around.
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