In article <3a6dde1e@news.povray.org>, "Rune" <run### [at] inamecom> 
wrote:
>Or more to the point: can normal people worship hell, or would only sick
>people do that (like maybe Satanists)?

This is a really weird question, because I was just doing a write-up of 
Christian "gods" for a role-playing game, and just finished Satan before 
reading your message :*)

The short answer: even normal Christians will "propitiate" Satan and the 
denizens of Hell. That's what Hallowe'en is all about 
(post-Christianity, of course), after all. On rare occasions, some 
Christians will "bargain" with Satan, offering their soul in return for 
some material benefit.

Satanists, in my limited experience, tend to worship the pre-Christian 
being that Satan became--that is, they're another form of Wicca, not 
Christianity. As such, I'm not sure that they have a hell, but I'd be 
willing to bet that a Google search on "Satanism" would come up with 
some more definitive answers.

Satan
Names:   Satan, Lucifer
Sobriquets: The Morning Star, The Fallen One, The Tempter, The Prince of 
Deception, The Devil

Worshippers:   Politicians, Businessmen, Musicians
Moral Codes:   Ordered, Evil, Ordered Evil, Chaotic Evil
Prophets:   Ordered Evil

Satan is a fallen angel, who rebelled against the order of Heaven. Some 
legends say that he did this because he was jealous of the attention 


His rebellion failed, and he was cast down with his followers to 
Gehennah, or Hell, with all the damned souls of humanity. He set himself 


Satan rules over the demons, some or all of whom were also fallen 
angels, and ensures the eternal suffering of the damned, those who are 
not worthy to enter Heaven.

Satan sees himself in competition with Jehovah for the souls of humans. 
He sends his minions out in his name to tempt good people into pride, 
and to ensure the continued wickedness of evil people.

In general, Christians do not worship Satan. To do so ensures their 
eternal damnation well beyond their few years as mortal beings. But the 
more superstitious will propitiate Satan and his followers, by, for 
example, placing gourds with evil faces and burning candles on their 

salt over their left shoulder after spilling salt. Many Christians 

dressing as evil spirits and going from house to house to demand 
tribute, or by staying home and presenting tribute (minor gifts, candy, 
or food) to Satan's minions on demand.


Satan to gain earthly benefits in return for their soul. That is, upon 

they believe that their sins are already unforgiveable. Some believe 
that they are better lawyers than Satan and will be able to find a flaw 
in the contractual agreement. Others may do so without looking to the 
future at all. Some may do so in the belief that Hell cannot be as bad 
as it is said to be. Satan is a master of deception and flattery and 
will encourage any and all such tendencies. Whether these contracts are 

to debate.

Christian legend has it that at the end of the world, Satan will return 
to Earth with all his legions, including the damned, to do war with 
Jehovah and his legions of angels, led by Jesus. The return of Satan 
(and thus the return of Jesus) will be marked by incredible signs and 
portents. However, before the true end of the world, Satan will tempt 
humans to prophecize about ends of the world that never happen.


that never rises above the Earth for long without falling.


Jerry
-- 
http://www.hoboes.com/jerry/
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish, and you've
depleted the lake."--It Isn't Murder If They're Yankees
(http://www.hoboes.com/jerry/Murder/)

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