Do epicureans believe in God? What differentiates Satanism and Atheism from Epicureanism?
Atheism and Epicureanism are often mentioned together, but they aren't the same thing. Here's a breakdown of what each one is, how they differ, and where they overlap.
What Is Atheism?
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Definition: Atheism is the lack of belief in gods or deities.
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Scope: It's a position on a single issue — the existence of gods.
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Variants:
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Strong/Positive Atheism: Belief that no gods exist.
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Weak/Negative Atheism: Simply lacking belief in gods, without asserting they don’t exist.
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Philosophical Content: Atheism itself doesn't prescribe ethics, lifestyle, or worldview — those come from other philosophies or personal beliefs.
What Is Epicureanism?
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Definition: A school of philosophy founded by Epicurus in the 4th century BCE.
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Core Beliefs:
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The universe is made of atoms and void (materialism).
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The gods (if they exist) are irrelevant to human life and do not interfere.
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Death is the end of consciousness, so it’s not to be feared.
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The goal of life is ataraxia (peace of mind) and aponia (freedom from pain).
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Pleasure is the highest good — but defined as the absence of pain, not indulgence.
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Ethics: Encourages modest living, intellectual friendships, and rational analysis of desires.
Similarities
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Naturalism: Both often align with a naturalistic view of the world (no supernatural).
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Critique of Religion: Both can be critical of religious beliefs and institutions.
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Focus on Reason: Emphasis on rational thought and empirical evidence
5 Benefits of believing in God
Here’s a concise list of 5 benefits of believing in God:
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Emotional comfort – Provides hope, purpose, and peace during hardship or grief.
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Community and support – Connects people through shared values and belonging.
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Moral guidance – Offers a clear ethical framework for right and wrong.
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Healthier lifestyle – Encourages habits like moderation, reflection, or service.
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Coping with death – Belief in an afterlife can ease fear of mortality.
5 drawbacks of believing in God
Here are 5 drawbacks of believing in God, depending on the belief system and how it’s practiced:
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Guilt and fear – Strict doctrines can cause anxiety over sin, punishment, or divine judgment.
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Suppression of critical thinking – Blind faith may discourage questioning or rational inquiry.
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Discrimination or exclusion – Some beliefs foster intolerance toward outsiders, other faiths, or non-believers.
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Conflict with science – Literal interpretations of religious texts can clash with scientific understanding.
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Dependency on divine intervention – May lead to passivity or fatalism, avoiding personal responsibility.
Satanism vs. Epicureanism
Satanism
(refers mainly to LaVeyan Satanism, the most common form)
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Belief: No literal Satan or God. Satan is a symbol of individualism, rebellion, and self-empowerment.
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Values: Self-indulgence (in moderation), personal responsibility, justice, and pride.
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Ethics: "Do unto others as they do unto you." Eye-for-an-eye style morality.
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Goal: Live fully, embrace your desires, and control your own life.
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Afterlife: None. Focus is on this life.
Epicureanism
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Belief: No gods that intervene in human life. No afterlife.
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Values: Pleasure through simplicity, friendship, and intellectual satisfaction.
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Ethics: Avoid pain, fear, and excess. Seek peace of mind.
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Goal: Achieve tranquility (ataraxia) and freedom from suffering (aponia).
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Afterlife: None. Death is nothing to fear.
Epicureanism is calm, thoughtful, and anti-fear.
Both reject religious fear and embrace this life — but with very different attitudes.
Atheism is about what you don't believe.
Epicureanism is about how you live — and often includes atheistic or deistic ideas but builds an entire life philosophy around peace, modesty, and rational pleasure.
Satanism is bold, self-assertive, and anti-authority.
