HPBlackMamba wrote: ↑Wed Mar 09, 2022 8:06 pm
RedDawn wrote: ↑Wed Mar 09, 2022 8:01 pm
I don't understand your position here. Are you arguing that because posts and comments are viewed and then accepted/edited/denied that the Joy of Satan ministries is publishing that information on your behalf? Is that the argument?
Not just that but also the fact that if you are LaVeyan, Wiccan or of any other view, you are not allowed to post. Also people on their forum can't build a following and gain an audience. The spotlight is reserved for HoodedCobra and the JoS clergy only. If you put HP in front of your username you will be banned, and doesn't matter that you may actually be an ordained HP from CoS or TST.
Only material that adheres to their narrative as publishers is allowed through. And they clearly state this in their community guidelines.
I'll break this down for you...
They are a Theistic Satanist platform with light administrative controls, more than t4s but typically it's hardly relevant. Building a following and gaining an audience isn't the point of their forum, but functionally their forum is mostly the same as yours, other than their posts must be approved by an admin before sharing. Members are able to create their own posts and comment on other people's posts, even communicate with each other more freely off the forum through email or telegram. Some members do have a large audience, and some are given titles like "Joy of Satan Guardian". Yes, HPHC controls most of the spotlight, just as you do here with your ability to bring "important messages" to the top of your forum list. It's the same, the only thing different is that their forum doesn't allow nonsense. To anyone that actually follows Spiritual Satanism generally, you can communicate similarly to t4s. The spotlight isn't reserved, it's just harder to get into the spotlight and that's not a bad thing.
Now regarding addressing yourself as a "high priest" on their forum, ya I wouldn't allow it either tbh. People throw around the term high priest a lot these days, and often it is granted to undeserving individuals. For example, I don't recognize the basis to which you claim an authority of high priest. Hell, I'm considered a high priest to some, yet you don't see me advertising that do you? No, because I find the title itself tainted and often misused. The functionality of the title is all that matters now, for people who claim to be High Priests often don't act like one. There are exceptions to people claiming to be a "high priest" without sounding like a moron, and in at least HPHC's case it is justified. I'd even consider him more than a High Priest, considering his contributions and functionality is far beyond what other clergy members do. I sometimes call him the Senior HP for this reason.
I've criticized HPHC and the Joy of Satan while speaking to HPHC on email, and I wasn't immediately declared an infiltrator. Yes, my views are not 100% aligned with most "JoSers", but we agree on most things and I engage respectfully in general.