Each person decides how their body should be used in this world. Good, bad, neutral, some degree between or beyond. Equally important is the recognition that this same tenet applies to anyone who isn't yourself, whether they share the same beliefs or not. To be equal in this way is empowering each other as individuals.
The Satanic Temple
I noticed there wasn't a TST Lemmy community. The Satanic Temple is a modern satanic religion that aims to promote human rights and compassion. Check out their about page on their official website at https://thesatanictemple.com/pages/about-us. Note that this community is not an official affiliation. TST is also separate and not affiliated with the Church of Satan, who have a slightly different viewpoint of what satanism truly is. Dunno what to post in here, but maybe some will search for this and take part. Hello!
“Subject to one’s will alone” says we have the free will to use or abuse our own bodies. It doesn’t mean anything goes, it means to own your choices for better or worse.
I pretty much feel it means anything goes as long as its just you and your body your making decisions about.
It means people aren’t allowed to rape you, conscript you, force substances into your body, perform surgery on you against your will, or kidnap you.
I take it as your first thing. Value is a personal thing and sure, you can certainly lose relative value by other peoples ascertations. One should value themselves and others but if someone decided to cut off their perfectly healthy arms and legs and poke out their perfect vision eyes and cut off their prefectly working ears. Certiainly they will lose value in many ways as their options in life will be significantly curtailed.
I've always taken it as the dictionary meaning you first described, but I like the second one too. I'll have to think about it more.
I feel the TST doesn't go into details because, as a religion, part of the goal is to gain followers and traction. If they explained in detail, they'd probably reach contradictions or collide cultural discrepancies.
So I'm pretty sure it is open to interpretation so people can identify themselves more easily. If you ask Christians (out of context) if they agree with that sentence, most of them will.
People will disagree with this sentence once you start going into the specifics.
It is open to interpretation of course, as Lucien says himself, and as the last Tenet embodies, but not for those reasons exactly. They are basic and up for interpretation because Lucien refuses to force strict, exact laws on Satanists that conflict with personal freedom. This isn't Christianity, we have independence and individuality that is encouraged rather than stamped out. Interpretations are encouraged <3
Hail Thyself