This could be my last post of the year. You never know. What a year its been. Onward Christian Soldiers!

I have always maintained that most people who call themselves "Christians" actually live as Satanists. What this actually means is that aside from a minority of devout believers of Christianity, very few people actually live a Christian life.

I've come to this conclusion during a lifetime of knowing mostly people who consider themselves "Christians", and only a few who actually practiced it. Since the people I have met were random, I will deem these individuals a representative sample, and consequently, speak in broad generalities.

Most people are Christians only when it conforms to their preferences and choices. For most, this means they like the "heaven" and "life after death" aspects of Christianity and believe those things to be true. Then there are the basic rules like not killing people. Most people are able to follow this. Some people may go to church. But that is where it stops. If one wishes to have premarital sex, then they decide that "God probably didn't mean that one" or "Times have changed", or "she's drunk". And what about that illegal downloading? God probably sided with Napster on that issue. Right?

Most individuals live a life of sin. In fact, its quite reasonable to expect that most people's amount of sin is inversely proportionate to their age. In other words, in youth, Christians partake in a high level of gratifying and sinful activities, and these activities decrease as they grow older (and presumably close to death). Only then do they begin to live like Christians, in terms of more closely following more of the Ten Commandments, as well as living by the various behavioral restrictions and recommendations.

Is it fair to say "most"? I think so. In my experience, it IS most.

I'm no expert in Satanism, and I don't espouse it. And I certainly think that anyone who kills goats or chickens in bizarre sacrifice rituals is fucked up. However, what I've read about Satanism, as a "religion", seems to be a de facto rule book for how most people actually live. For instance, here is something from the Satanic Bible called The Nine Satanic Statements.

I. Satan represents indulgence, instead of abstinence!
This statement should be written into the Constitution as its so basic and inherent to most people's lives. Talk about an unalienable right. To modify something Chris Rock said, most Christians indulge and accordingly abstain as much as their options will allow. You name it: drugs, drink, sex, lying, consumption, stealing, excess. These are man's goals in this life. And it only changes when it has to.

II. Satan represents vital existence, instead of spiritual pipe dreams!
This is fairly appropriate. This statement is echoed mostly in the "live for today" sentiments shared by so many. A Christian life is not about living for today, but rather, about living for the expected hereafter.

III. Satan represents undefiled wisdom, instead of hypocritical self-deceit!
Well, you can't win them all. This is certainly not something most people endorse!

IV. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it, instead of love wasted on ingrates!
This is very much how most Christians live. Jesus urges kindness and acceptance of all people. The Christian religion professes very egalitarian principles. It urges us to not judge others. However, very few Christians expend much time to those who are different from themselves. In today's political climate, its perfectly okay for Christians to slander and defame even other Christians. Once again, Satanism is right.

V. Satan represents vengeance, instead of turning the other cheek!
Apparently, the Church Of Satan had a major role in defining U.S. foreign policy. Aside from the obvious examples of international relations, I have known very few individuals who have adopted this policy.

VI. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible, instead of concern for psychic vampires!
I'm not really sure what this means to be honest.

VII. Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all fours, who, because of his "divine spiritual and intellectual development, has become the most vicious animal of all!
Here is another area where Satanism and practicing "Christians" depart. I'm pretty sure that most Christians believe they are much better than all other forms of life.

VIII. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification!
Wow, talk about a statement of intent for all of the practicing Christians of the world. This statement neatly captures the guiding principles of nearly all Christians. I'm pretty sure that Ohio State University should adopt this into their mission statement. When people are young, and death seems far off, your average Christian tries to live it up as much as possible! Again, adherence to this principle decreases with age, and is limited by opportunity (age, attractiveness, money, etc...). Personally, I don't find anything very redeeming in that. But apparently God thinks its perfectly fine, so long as you believe in him, and his son, and the holy ghost.

IX. Satan is the best friend the church has ever had, as he has kept it in business all these years!
This particular statement actually has very little to do with average Christians. Its the more devout and fundamentalist Christians who are concerned with Satan. Truly, where would Christianity be without the devil? Uh... why did God create a devil?

Well, there you have it. A fine way to end the year perhaps.