if it feels good, do it (is there an "as long as it doesnt harm others against their will" clause to hedonism?)
"If it feels good do it" What an awesome religion, so your saying basically, Hedonism is the opposite of christianity, haha Peace and Love, Dan
Please don't reduce The Church of Satan to "Neo-Satanism". Anyways, generally in Hedonism (Which I'd call a philosophy rather than a religion... but then again I'd also call Satanism a philosophy rather than a religion), it's accepted that it's PERSONAL rather than inflicting. I/E, "If it feels good, do it, because it's noones business but your own if it's you. If it involves someone else, then it should feel good to them too.". It would be contradictive to say "Rape is ok cuz it feels good", because it doesn't feel good to both people. The saying doesn't imply ownership or specific first-person traits. So if it doesn't feel good to the person you're raping, it's not Hedonism.
There are a lot of sects of Hedonism. No, it is not a new word for neo-satanism, there are just a lot of similarities. A long time ago a bunch of rich philosophers got together and came up with an excuse to have a lot of sex and do a lot of drugs.... sounds like a few hippies I know Now that is just the start of Hedonism. The way I veiw it, is the complete and total agreeance that happiness is the highest good. Not only to agree, but to put that thought into practice ever day, sorta like a wwjd thing, you know, What Would Make Me Happy...WWMMH.... hmmmm.... I could make a fourtune with that... (grrr don't steal my idea :$) I try to follow a few basic princaples. 1 Always be happy, be any means necessary 2 NEVER interefere with another persons happiness 3 If something makes you unhappy more than momentarily, don't ever do it again. (seems like it would go hand in hand with 1, but no) 4 Don't align your happiness with another persons actions (that is really for the others, it is not cool at all trying to follow 2 when people make their happiness your business. If someone breaks this rule 2 doesn't apply) But that is just my own twisetd personalised version of it.
I was thinking about getting the '4 tenets' tatooed on my back. Become a fanatic. That would make it a real religion. Every true religion needs a militant fanatic faction. Hmmm... how to be militant but still Hedonistic? Any suggestions?
Hedonism is simply the theory that one must sample as much of life as is possible without forming habits or conforming to what society expects - that doesnt mean being a social outcast or sociopath it just means that you should live for pleasure and not let life become a burdon or a trial - this is life not a rehearsal for life so go out into the world and live for the moment (Carpe Diem) Live for the day and forget about tomorrow - deal with that when it happens
One facet about Hedonism which I am still working on is "to never compromise your own comfort by doing what feels good" I smoke butts and I know it will hinder my comfort eventually.