Mistakes Happen: A Satanist Views on Responsibility & Growth

Hey there, it’s Nick Grimshaw here, y’all.  Now, I’ve been a Satanist for a good while now, and lemme tell ya, the Seven Tenets of The Satanic Temple have shaped how I live my life.  One tenet in particular, the sixth one, “People are fallible. If one makes a mistake, one should do one’s best to rectify it and resolve any harm that might have been caused,”  really hit home for me.  You see, growing up in Bristol, Virginia, a small town steeped in Pentecostalism, I kinda learned early on that mistakes were seen as sins, something to be ashamed of. But Satanism taught me somethin’ different:  Mistakes are a part of life, but what matters is how we handle them.  

Bear with me as I share some personal examples of how this Tenet plays out in real life in an article I’d like to call, Mistakes Happen: A Satanic View on Responsibility & Growth.

1. Owning Our Mistakes: A Satanic Approach to Responsibility
2. The time I blew it with my ex
3. The importance of empathy and understanding
4. Rectifying mistakes: a continual process
5. The intersection of sexuality and satanism
6. A journey of self-growth and evolution

Owning Our Mistakes: A Satanic Approach to Responsibility

“People are fallible. If one makes a mistake, one should do one’s best to rectify it and resolve any harm that might have been caused.”

At its very center, this Tenet is about personal responsibility, a subject many of us are reluctant to accept. We all make mistakes and we dont like getting caught with our pants down. But, being able to acknowledge we are fallible is a great way for us to learn to accept others for who they are and not get caught up on the small things. It is pretty easy, if you make a mistake — own up to it and work even harder to ensure you dont do it again. If anyone was hurt, do your damndest to correct the problem and work on getting back on the right path.So, let’s dive in.

Now, this ain’t about being a doormat and lettin’ people walk all over you. It’s about recognizing that we all make mistakes, and that’s okay.  It’s human nature.  But what truly sets us apart is how we choose to deal with those mistakes.  Satanism encourages taking responsibility for our actions, good or bad. It’s about owning up to what we’ve done and making amends if necessary. 

Think about it, y’all. When you screw up, it’s natural to feel bad, to want to hide or even lash out. But Satanism teaches us that we can learn from our mistakes and use them to grow.  It’s not about dwelling on the past, but about taking action to make things right. 

The time I blew it with my ex

Now, I’m not gonna lie, I’ve made my fair share of mistakes in the dating game.  I mean, I’m a bisexual man from a small town, life ain’t always a walk in the park. There was this one time I messed up big time with an ex, Mark.  I had been acting distant, distracted by my own stuff, and I hurt him. Mark was the kind of guy who didn’t alway speak out when he was hurt or bothered, but his face couldn’t hide his emotions. I knew I messed up but was also strugglin’ trying to make sense of why this bothered him. I was too ensconced in my own drama and, as is normal, retreated inward instead of bringing him into it for assistance. 

Now, I could have easily justified my behavior by saying, “Well, he was being a bit of a jerk too.” But Satanism taught me that pointing fingers doesn’t solve anything.  So I sucked it up, owned up to my behavior, and apologized. We didn’t get back together, but I learned a valuable lesson about communication and taking responsibility in relationships. 

The importance of empathy and understanding

But it ain’t just about apologies, y’all.  It’s about understanding the impact of our actions on others.  Sometimes, what might seem like a small mistake can have a big effect.  Imagine, say, you’re in a hurry and accidentally bump into someone at the grocery store, spilling their groceries.  Now, maybe you think, “Oh, it’s just groceries, no big deal.” But for that person, it could be a huge inconvenience. 

This is where empathy comes in. It’s about putting yourself in their shoes and seeing things from their perspective.  Satanism teaches us to be compassionate and understanding, even when we’ve messed up. 

Rectifying mistakes: a continual process

Now, let me tell ya,  rectifying mistakes ain’t always easy.  Sometimes it requires a lot of effort, and it might even feel uncomfortable.  But it’s a key part of being a decent human being, and it’s essential to living a life that’s in alignment with Satanic principles.  

Think of it like this:  You wouldn’t expect a gardener to just let weeds grow wild in their garden. They actively pull them out, tend to the plants, and nurture the soil.  Just like that, we gotta be willing to tend to our mistakes, resolve any harm we’ve caused, and make things right.  

The intersection of sexuality and satanism

I wanna touch on somethin’ real important here, something that often gets overlooked:  the intersection of sexuality and Satanism. You see, Satanism is all about embracing your true self, and that includes your sexuality.  For me, being bisexual is a vital part of who I am, and it influences my perspective on this tenet.  

For example,  being a bisexual man in a rural town, I’ve had to deal with plenty of judgment and misconceptions.   There were times when I felt ashamed of who I was, but Satanism taught me to embrace my sexuality with pride.  And I’ve learned to understand the importance of addressing and rectifying the harmful stereotypes and prejudices that are so prevalent in our society. 

A journey of self-growth and evolution

So there you have it, y’all.  Rectifying mistakes isn’t about punishment or guilt. It’s about personal responsibility, empathy, and growth.  It’s about recognizing that we’re all human, that we’re all gonna screw up sometimes, and that it’s okay.  What truly matters is how we handle those mistakes and strive to make things right.  

Satanism, for me, has been a journey of self-discovery and evolution. It’s taught me to embrace my imperfections, to learn from my mistakes, and to become a better person.  And that, my friends, is a powerful thing. 

So, what do you guys think? Do you agree with this tenet? How do you feel about this view of Satanism in relation to what you may have been taught growing up? Do you feel that accepting responsibility, even before you act, is the right way to approach things? Let me know in the comments below. I will see each of you again, when we discuss the last tenet of The Satanic Temple.