Satanism: Common Misconceptions21:13 Jun 13 2006
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1. Satanism is NOT devil worship
2. Satanists don't even believe in an entity named Satan
3. Satanism is more of a philosophy than a religion
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There are approximately four types of Satanism:
LaVeyan Satanism
Luciferianism
Religious/Traditional/Theistic Satanism
Sat/Tan Satanism
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LaVeyan Satanism's two paths:
The
Right-
Hand
Path and the
Left-
Hand
Path:
The Left Hand Path is an approach to knowledge that is dark, hidden, receptive. It is the path of silence and inner revealing through meditation. The passive, feminine, Yin influence is felt here. Its symbol is the pentagram with the point going down, representing the vulva, and the two points up, symbolizing yielding breasts. The head of the goat invokes the earth element and the hebrew letters for Leviathan signify the waters of the abyss. Often referred to as the baphomet, from the Greek "Baphe and Metis" meaning wisdom measurement, the sigil pays homage to the Goddess Sophia. BEING is the primary focus of the Left Hand Path.
The Right Hand Path is an approach to knowledge that is illuminated, evident, active. It is the path of interaction and participation. The active, masculine, Yang influence is experienced here. Its symbol is the pentacle with the point going up, representing an erect phallus, and the points drooping on both sides, the testes. Several artists have depicted a man superimposed on the star or pentacle. The figure to the right was drawn by Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim (1486-1535) for a book entitled "The Magic of Arbatel." Recent attempts to corrupt the pentacle will fail - superimposing the face of the Goddess upon it won't change its true nature. BECOMING (Xeper) is the primary focus of the Right Hand Path.
The Right and Left Hand Path are not opposed to one another and have nothing to do with Western Philosophy or Christianity. To create anything, form and force (Yin and Yang) must work together! A passive idea is worthless unless it is followed by an active deed. Conversely, the doing of deeds helps one acquire new ideas. This is the way life works and the way magic works.
The Satanist does not respect one symbol above the other. In ritual, the most likely choice is the one hanging above the altar. If the Working involves sending or transmitting energy, the RHP symbol is used. If the Working involves receiving or absorbing energy, the LHP symbol is used.
I'd like to take the time to clear up yet another mystery. I realize some of you may find some of this material disturbing, but there are things that *must* be stated. As our students explore magic and the role of certain archetypes, it's important to know the principle players and their natural associations. I've already simplified things and intend to be even more straightforward:
We have Horus/Set representing both the healing and destructive power of the sun. But how can Lucifer, Lord of Light also be the Prince of Darkness? The quick answer to that question is that he rules the heart of the Dark Goddess.
Satan or the Devil was never said to be the Prince of THE Darkness. It was intended as a riddle. "Darkness" refers to the Goddess. The title "Prince of Darkness" is a endearing sentiment illustrating the formula "Love is the Law, Love Under Will."
Which deity is on the side of Love? The Goddess, representing Order. Which one has to do with Will? The so-called devil or God of Chaos. Passive and Active. Form and Force. Flesh and Spirit. The same qualities come into play.
Furthermore, you cannot elevate the spirit while condemning the flesh and vice-versa! The truly enlightened individual realizes that all matter is composed of frozen energy or "spirit" and there can never be any separation. The aspiring magician must maintain a BALANCE in his or her perspective and not place one symbol above the other because they compliment, define and complete each other. Truly, the All is One!
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a good website is
CoS, but if you're too lazy to go look I'll copy some of the info down here....
What are the rules of Satanism?
People who are looking for a book of rules to live by do not win my respect. Our brand of spirituality isn't based upon a book, presumably inspired by some higher authority.
We are not looking for those who want to argue over their past conditioning or who wish to confine themselves based on their past experiences. We wish to help those individuals who are intelligent enough and courageous enough to not only create a set of rules for themselves, but then live by them. Only this will result in balanced individuals who can function in society.
Aleister Crowley came up with a saying:
"There is no god but Man.
Man has the right to live by his own law --
to live in the way that he wills to do:
to work as he will:
to play as he will:
to rest as he will.
to die when and how he will:
Man has the right to eat what he will:
to drink what he will:
to dwell where he will:
to move as he will on the face of the earth.
Man has the right to think what he will:
to speak what he will:
to write what he will:
to draw, paint, carve, etch, mould, build as he will:
to dress as he will.
Man has the right to love as he will: ---
"take your fill and will of love as ye will,
when, where and with whom ye will!" -- AL. I. 51.
Man has the right to resist those who would thwart these rights.
"the slaves shall serve." -- AL. II. 58.
Laveyan Satanists generally live by The 9 Satanic Statements and The 11 Satanic Rules of the Earth:
The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth
1. Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.
2. Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure that they want to hear them.
3. When in another's lair, show him respect or else do not go there.
4. If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy.
5. Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal.
6. Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the person and he cries out to be relieved.
7. Acknowledge the power of magic if you have used it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained.
8. Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself.
9. Do not harm little children.
10. Do not kill non-human animals unless attacked or for your food.
11. When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.
~Anton Szandor LaVey(1967)
The Nine Satanic Statements
1. Satan represents indulgence, instead of abstinence!
2. Satan represents vital existence, instead of spiritual pipe dreams!
3. Satan represents undefiled wisdom, instead of hypocritical self-deceit!
4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it, instead of love wasted on ingrates!
5. Satan represents vengeance, instead of turning the other cheek!
6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible, instead of concern for psychic vampires!
7. Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all fours, who, because of his "divine spiritual and intellectual development," has become the most vicious animal of all!
8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification!
9. Satan is the best friend the church has ever had, as he has kept it in business all these years!
~LaVey (1967, from the Satanic Bible)
The above statements and rules are excellent guidelines for any Satanist to follow and a good framework for the beginner on a left hand path. Remember, it is best to always follow the laws of the land. They are there for one's safety in the vast majority of cases. If you make the choice not to obey the law for whatever reason, make sure it is a conscious choice, and be ready to suffer the consequences.
Do you worship evil?
You can not even define evil without discussing what is good. Therefore, the two are inseparable. One can not understand darkness without experiencing light. One cannot appreciate day, without having night. Opposites compliment, define and complete one another. To destroy all evil in the world means there would be no good left to appreciate, therefore the Satanist does not worship or disrespect either quality! We value ourselves and nature instead and venerate opposition in balance!
The definition of good and evil is subject to change because it exists only as a perception. "Evil" is a label we assign according to our mood swings to those who are politically incorrect. The ascended masters of Eastern Philosophy become the fallen angels of Western Philosophy. One man's "demons" are another man's "saints." Theologians create gods and devils in man's image, then conflict between them to divide the heart and conquer the soul! They pit spirit against matter, then appoint themselves position of supreme arbiter, divine interpreter of right and wrong, good and evil.
"Good" are the things we like. "Evil" are the things we dislike. It often depends on who or what you are. As Diane Vera says, if you're a mouse, cats are evil, but to the pet owner, cats are heavenly. Therefore, evil is not an essence - it is a value judgment. From a Christian point of view, Satan is "evil." Satanists are truth seekers who desire to peek behind such labels.
Of course, there are certain ethical wrongs, but they are set by a society or culture so that all can live harmoniously. Examples of these would be thieving, disrespectful behavior and killing or abusing an innocent. A Satanist respects societal ethics, as do people of other faiths.
A chief attribute of the trickster god is the role of Devil's Advocate. The Satanist illustrates "opposition in balance," wielding contradiction like a scalpel in the hand of a skilled surgeon. Our objective? Closure to this unnatural dichotomy, this madness you call "good and evil." Bringing flesh and spirit together. The establishment of a New World Order, free of guilt, self-loathing and shame, where every man and woman is the god of his or her own life. Satanists look upon religion as the starter of wars and the breeder of hate and intolerance. We believe that people are intelligent enough to instill moral and ethical codes into a societal structure without a threat of an imaginary supernatural being wreaking havoc on an offender.
Do you hate Christians?
It is sadly amusing that Christians often ask us to respect their beliefs and not judge, but do not extend the same courtesy to others. It is not just the Christians. This happens with any group that believes they are in possession of the "one true path." The wielding of this alleged truth by the religious right has caused many pagans to lose their jobs, their children, and other rights. If these things were happening to Christians it would be widely televised and the public outcry would be deafening! The Satanist knows all too well that in the United States we have only the illusion of religious freedom.
Sadly out of the ashes of recent tragedies, some good will come about. A generation of children raised in the shadows of the twin towers will have learned a thing or two concerning accountability. They will be asking questions like; How can one quote scripture so often yet refuse to put words into practice? The horny red devil will not be a convenient scapegoat when the face of evil is that of a white, upper middle class teenager. A pitchfork pales in comparison to the use of an airplane as a weapon or biological and chemical warfare. Catchy bumper sticker slogans like, "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven" makes little sense after the first strike in a war.
Christians are often afraid we will try to convert or defile them in someway. Anyone who is insecure in their own faith is afraid to talk with someone of a different mindset. Satanists do not evangelize. We do not encourage a sheep mentality. The only reason you will ever see public announcements is to simply bring like-minded people together. It is not to turn others into something they are not. Satanism promotes individual sovereignty -- the belief that every man and woman is the center of an universe. Satanists live by their own rules and accept responsibility for their actions. It is a state of mind which reveals a certain level of emotional maturity.
I sometimes receive messages from undecided people who would like to visit a Satanic church to "see what goes on" before they take the big leap into Satanism. They view it as they would any religion; a uniform system of religious indoctrination and, of course, they would like to "test the waters" first to see if they like it. They do not realize that Satanism insists you believe in yourself first and foremost. The self-aware Satanist does not require religious conversion or further convincing. We encourage anyone to read and study before committing to any religion. Visit more than one ritual from more than one priest. Try more than one tradition. This is probably the only religion you are going to find where we can honestly say "It is all about you!"
Does the Devil really exist?
Some Satanists view the Devil as the first individual - the first being to acquire consciousness and self-awareness. This lends itself to free will and is the true meaning behind Lucifer's "fall from grace." We are all inheritors of that gift, so if you are asking me what the devil looks like, I would simply tell you to go look in a mirror. In other words, as the Inxs song lyrics read "every single one of us ... the devil inside."
We have a choice as to whether we decide to utilize that aspect of ourselves.
The most common misconception about the Devil is that the Devil is somehow responsible for the free will choices we make as individuals. Is the Devil behind all the evil in the world? It would depend on what you would define as the devil. We, you and I, and all other individuals are responsible for the evil and all the good as well. Human beings are creatures of habit and whenever a force of change is introduced to a system it is upsetting, perceived as "evil."
Change itself is the universal constant. Just when you think you've got everything figured out and all your beliefs neatly categorized, the trickster devil comes along and whacks you upside the head with an apparent contradiction. You see, we are being "fooled by the Devil" because that is how we learn - through our own mistakes! Without problem solving, existence becomes futile, meaningless! The Devil represents life's onslaughts and challenges which we must face and overcome to evolve physically and spiritually. John Milton put it this way, "Satan is the force of change that wills forever evil, but does forever good."
Those who trash the Devil are beating up on themselves. The good guy/bad guy mentality sanctioned by the Islamic and Christian faith is dehumanizing and dangerous. The same technique is used by the military establishment. When John Allee served in the army during the Vietnam war, the troops were shown propaganda films depicting Asians as slant-eyed devils who pillaged and raped women. The objective was to dehumanize the enemy so they could be killed without conscience. It is effective programming and excellent military strategy. The point is whether you choose to use it in your own personal life!
More recently, here in the United States, commercial airliners were hijacked by a group of Islamic fundamentalists who were taught from a very early age that America was "the Great Satan." With fanatic religious devotion, they commandeered the planes to crash into strategic locations, killing themselves and everyone aboard, along with thousands of innocent people. Again, these hijackers were desensitized. They were not murdering men, women and children; they were vanquishing Satan. Thus, anything that they did, could not be seen as more evil than what they were attempting to overcome.
Many Christians fear that the Devil wants their soul. Again, you have to understand the definition of the Devil. Secondly, for there to be want, there must be separation or division. The source of all life is the One, whose center is everywhere. All layers of intelligence in the Universe are cut from the same dark cloth. We are it. It is us.
You cannot be separated from your soul. It is what makes you ... you. You may worry about what the agenda of Satanism really is and what the Devil's purpose is on this planet. In essence, you are really asking the age-old question, "What is our purpose on earth? What is the meaning of life?" Free will determines what you believe and how you perceive things. You are an aspect of divinity, therefore life means exactly what you think it means. Decide right now whether you will define your life from a perspective of free will or fear. One path is that of passive acceptance. The other is that of the trail blazer.
Do you worship the devil?
Modern Satanists do not worship the devil; they do not even believe in this Christian-created being. However, some do. Theistic Satanists do believe in an entity known as Satan and Devil Worshippers also believe in Satan as a deity. Theistic Satanists see Satan as an actual dark pagan god.
The difference between Satanism and devil worship is simple;
Devil worshippers are nothing more than wannabe renegade Christians still drowning in the belief that to be a Satanist they must use dogma that is the reverse of Christian belief. Satanists are free thinkers, moving forward spiritually through self-exploration and spiritual stimulation. Strictly speaking, a devil worshipper is someone who worships evil as a moral absolute. Satanists, on the other hand, view Satanism as a religion and a philosophy.
Satanists boast of Luciferian pride; the ability to challenge any authority, but understand the importance of asking questions with proper respect. Only cults teach that you must never question your leaders! Stratification is the law by which the devil worshiper abides and servitude is their portion. Satanists are strongly opposed to devil worship or any hierarchal system which seeks to enslave the spirit and damage the individual or a community.
The FCOS holds to the belief that all spiritual paths are essentially valid. Traditions have not failed us, the devotee simply has to dig deeper and look within, because that's the only place you're ever really going to find any truth! Avoid the horrendous pitfalls of religious polarization and remember, "The gravest of all sins is self-deceit!"
Does a Buddhist worship Buddha? Of course not. Does a Nudist worship Nude? It all depends on what you would consider "worship." Worship need not describe groveling before a deity or expressing an unhealthy attitude that diminishes ones self worth. Unfortunately, many Satanists view worship in this negative light, then move to an opposite extreme; exalting oneself as godhead while disregarding the universal life-force. As a result, we've witnessed nonproductive, egomaniacal infighting between Satanists.
We suggest a *balanced perspective* coupled with an appreciation for irony because the creator and the created are co-dependent! It is foolish to imagine a Christianity based entirely upon altruism and it is foolish to imagine a Satanism based entirely upon selfism. To lead a happy and productive life, balance is the key!
Also, we need to view "worship" in a different light: a feeling of love, adoration and devotion towards the archetypal forms of whom we are a physical expression.
Do Satanists engage in animal sacrifice?
Satanism has no actual history of animal sacrifice, though the Judeo-Christian and most of the other major religions are steeped in it. This is perhaps the most asinine and hypocritical allegation directed towards Satanists. Look at the following example:
Farmer Brown runs a poultry farm in New England. Every Thanksgiving (a national holiday), family members from far and wide come to visit, give thanks and enjoy the traditional dinner. The morning the guests are about to arrive, Farmer Brown grabs the largest turkey he can find and chops off its head with an axe, then prepares the bird for his guests. When the guests arrive, they all sit down, say a prayer, "Bless this, Thy bounty which we are about to receive."
Now the scene I just described is fairly common. Could this be ritual sacrifice? Of course, the religious zealot will rant, "Ritual sacrifice occurs during or prior to the act of killing!" So, let's clarify; If Farmer Brown bowed his head and said a little prayer to sweet Jesus before he chopped the turkey's head off, that would be a ritual sacrifice and therefore, a crime against god and nature. Brown should wait until he is about to eat the roasted carcass, standing as head (priest) of the household, before a long table (altar), saying a glorious prayer before the entire family (congregation).
This "ritual sacrifice" argument is bogus, purely in the eye of the beholder. If a rabbi performs a kosher killing at the local slaughterhouse, it's called "Passover." If a Christian Santeria priest cuts of the head off a chicken, it is called "murder." These contradictions were brought before the U.S. Supreme Court and the Santeria practitioners won! It is legal for them to practice their religion in the United States.
The First Church of Satan does not promote or practice the ritual slaughter of animals, but we will defend unto death the right of orthodox Jews, Christians, Santerians, etc., to continue this practice unabated, as long as the slaughter is humane and the flesh properly cooked and eaten. It makes no difference whether you say your prayer before the animal is slaughtered or at the dinner table, after the animal is cooked. It's time Satanists quit riding the wave of a make-believe guilt trip invented by orthodox Christians! (The only opposing argument I care to listen to is the sincerity of a non-hypocritical vegetarian.) Satanists cherish the free will of all living creatures. Like any animal, we kill for food or survival (clothing, self-defense).
So, what's this ritual sacrifice nonsense really about? It's about religious persecution - a fake argument to punish those religions you disagree with. We have at least learned this from the Satanic Panic of the 1980s.
When reverence for nature is absent, self-respect is diminished. Perception impacts behavior and vice-versa. When an adolescent boy "thrill kills" the neighborhood dog or cat for the sake of cruelty toward the pet or its owner, this is not natural aggression because animals do not "thrill kill" other animals. It is a common symptom seen in the behavior of those later convicted of murder and abuse. When kids look for a defenseless animal to torture, it is because they feel tortured themselves, so they seek a comparable scapegoat. Satanists refuse to protect those who would use the religion to showcase aberrant behavior.
If your child is mentally disturbed, get help. Blaming the devil is not going to solve your problem. If any person kills a living thing and it is not a part of a religious situation (such as Santeria) please get the facts. Tolerance is good. To not do something when there may be animals, children and others in danger from a nut (of any religious persuasion) is irresponsible.
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I realize that this is a bit long, but hopefully it'll clear up some things....
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