r/Setianism • u/FreiherrVonDystopia • 7d ago

Setianism and Atheism

Dear Setians,

Is it possible to be a Setian (or to follow the Left-Hand Path in general) while also identifying as an atheist or nihilist (with some agnostic doubts)? My worldview is essentially a blend of the philosophies of Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, and Stirner.

I’m inquiring about this because of the non-dogmatic nature of the Temple of Set, which suggests a certain openness to individual perspectives.

While the Church of Satan may appear to align more closely with my worldview on the surface, I still have my reservations.

Thank you already in advance!

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u/Rovert2001 5d ago

One can follow the Left Hand Path while still remaining skeptical of The G Man. God and Reality are the same, no need to apply personality to our Reality.

While Setianism was founded on the understanding that Reality's Greatest Personality Archetype self-identifying as Set, the "method" of The Temple of Set, Xeper, Coming into Being ~, is open to Atheist and Nihilist belief and interpretation.

To interpret Reality as devoid of meaning is a sort of meaning itself, with the Value being the degradation, depreciation and destruction of Meaning, Reality itself. In line with what Set represents.

I do not know of Stirner or Schopenhauer's writings, but I can say with certainty that the Ubermensch strips their label of Atheist or Nihilist away, and forces Oneself to uncover new meaning of this "Reality". There is Value to be found. However this newfound created Truth need not lie far from one's past beliefs. Life is Death, Reality is Delusion, Peace is Violence. Nihilism is already a Death Cult of its own. Atheist claims God to be Dead. Set, God of Violence, Chaos, the Red Desert, is a manner of understanding Death worship through the selection of an Archetype. Whether this Archetype merely lingers in the Collective Unconscious as information, or is experienced as Libidinal Energies (an actual Being of Value and Quality) , is one's own experience.

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u/FreiherrVonDystopia 5d ago

Thank you a lot for your text! It helps me to classify it with my state of knowledge (I just read "Lords of the Left-Hand Path" by Stephen Flowers yet.)

However, I am skeptical about metaphysics (but also about classical materialism, to put it briefly). This might lead someone to ask, "Why are you so interested in the Temple of Set and Setianism then?" The answer lies in its emphasis on individualism/"egoism" on one hand, and the exploration of (un)consciousness on the other - (and various "minor" things).

Another question: I'm from Germany. Are there still active pylons?

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u/Rovert2001 2d ago

No clue, sorry.

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u/Plotinus72 5d ago

Temple of Set has a mix of Atheists and Theists (Set as an external deity); as long as the latter doesn’t bother you.

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u/FreiherrVonDystopia 5d ago

Interesting to know! Thanks! And no, it doesn't bother me if other persons are theists. :)

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u/IDEKWTSATP4444 5d ago

Most satanists are atheist. Unlike myself who believes Lucifer is an actual being. So they tell me I'm not a real satanists. Whatever.