Essay/Term paper: What is satanism?

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Society Term Papers

What is Satanism?


Satanism is the religion of the flesh. Happiness, to the Satanist must
be found here and now. No heaven exists to go to after death and no Hell of
burning punishment awaits the sinner. Strongly attached to our family and close
associations, we make excellent friends. Satanists do not believe that you can
love everyone and treat every person the same. By failing to hate you make
yourself unable to love. Feared by their enemies and loved by their friends,
Satanist's build their stronghold in the community. The term occult means
"hidden" or those things or teachings that are unknown information, knowledge
that is gained beyond the five senses. Therefore, knowledge is received by some
supernatural involvement or connection. Anton LaVey of the first church of Satan
in San Francisco, California, says that "Satanism is a blatantly selfish brutal
religion- It is based on the belief that man is inherently a selfish, violent
creature… that the earth will be ruled by those who fight and win." Satanism
challenges the biblical teachings regarding mans relationship to others. Young
Satanist's believe that the strong will rule with Satan. Power has become an
obsession with young Satanists. It is sought after on the physical, mental, and
spiritual levels.

Gaining knowledge that others do not posses is another aspect of the
occult. When an individual has more knowledge it allows them a degree of power
over those who do not have access to that knowledge. The Ouija Board has proven
particularly useful. The Ouija Board is an instrument for communication with the
spirits of the dead. The Ouija Board is an open door into the world of the
occult and demonic activity. Disembodied speak to the living through the medium
of the Ouija Board. This information is believed to be truth from the other
side; Lucifer's delusion to gain our allegiance. Most cases are with people who
have used the Ouija Board. The Ouija Board is the easiest way to become
possessed. The greatest danger of the Ouija is that an individual begins to
place his trust and future hope in the message the board brings. Christians can
offer several reasons as to why one should not be involved in the use of the
Ouija Board. One is simply that the bible condemns it as being involvement in
the occult. And then theirs the fact that the message received is often false
and misleading. According to scripture (Matt 4:9, Rev, 12:19) "Satan's goal is
to deceive man by blinding him to the truth of the gospel and to receive worship
for himself. Satan desires to alter an individuals values and turn them against
themselves, their beliefs, family, God and society.

Initiation plays a major role in group activity. Through initiation an
individual is given a chance to declare total allegiance to Satan by
participation. Often one will sever a portion of a finger or a toe to indicate
their commitment. Other acts include being a participant ritual where mutilation
of an animal or person part of the activity. In some cases a criminal act is
perpetrated where the initiate is involved in a key role. An unholy communion of
sorts is taken during the initiatory rituals where a cup or chalice (usually
stolen from the church) is used containing a mixture of wine, blood (human or
animal) and urine. Other methods of initiation include body markings. An
inverted cross may be burned into ones forearm or chest. Commonly used markings
include a goathead, inverted crosses, skulls, pentagrams, mena(Amen), or a black
rose. Anton Szandor LaVey formed the church of Satan in 1966. LaVey, the author
of the Satanic bible is probably the most common source of satanic ritual and
understanding available. Modern Satanism really begins with Anton Szandor LaVey.
On Walpurgisnacht, April 30, 1966 he created the Church of Satan. Anton drew on
his previous experience as a lion tamer and side show barker.. And on his
readings into the psychology, magick etc., and wrote the Satanic Bible in 1966.
It can be found in most large bookstores. The Satanic Bible has sold more than
600, 000 thousand copies since it was published by Avon books in 1969. This was
followed by the Compleat Witch(1970) later republished as the Satanic Witch, and
the Satanic Rituals in 1972. These are essentially the only available books that
accurately describe Satanism. At the core of the Church are nine Satanic
statements written by Anton LaVey, they state that Satan represents: 1.
indulgence, not abstinence 2. vital existence, not spiritual pipe dreams 3.
undefiled wisdom, not hypocrisy self-deceit 4. kindness to those deserving it,
not love wasted on ingrates 5. Vengeance, not turning the other cheek 6.
Responsibility to the responsible, instead of concern for psychic vampires 7.
Man as just another animal, the most vicious of all 8. Gratification of all
ones desires 9. The best friend the Christian Church has had as he kept it in
business for centuries

LaVey's rituals and ceremonies are pageants used to celebrate a person
or element of faith. Magick rituals consist of three types. Sex magic (include
materbation), healing or happiness rituals and destruction rituals. Destruction
rituals may include sticking pins in a doll; drawing a picture or writing of a
victim's death; delivering a soliloquy etc. Destruction rituals are best
performed by a group. Male Satanists wear full length black robes, with or
without a hood. Young women wear sexually suggestive clothing; older women wear
all black. All Satanists wear amulets with a symbol of Baphomet, a goat's head
drawn within an inverted pentagram. When the Satanic Bible was written in 1969 a
nude woman was customarily used as an altar, since Satanism is regarded as the
religion of the flesh, not the spirit. A live altar is rarely used today. One
candle is placed to the right of the altar; it symbolizes the belief of
Satanists in the hypocrisy of "White Magicians" insistence to do no harm to
others. At least one black candle, representing the Power of Darkness, is placed
to the left of the altar, A bell is rung nine times at the beginning and at the
end or a ritual. The Satanic priest rotates counter-clockwise as he rings the
bell.

A chalice is ideally made of silver, it may be not be formed of gold
because that is a metal Wiccans use, and Satanists want to distance themselves
as much possible from Wicca. Other ritual tools include a gong, sword, elixir
(usually wine), phallus, and parchment. They and the chalice and bell are placed
on a small table near the altar. The language used during magical ritual is
Enochian, whose words variously sound similar to Arabic, Hebrew or Latin. Its
origin is unknown.

The church or Satanic rules of Behavior include: - Prayer is useless; it
distracts people from useful activity - Enjoy indulgence instead of abstinence,
practice with joy all the seven deadly Christian sins (greed, pride, envy, anger,
gluttony, lust and sloth). - If a man smites you on one cheek, smash him on the
other - Do unto others as they do onto you - Engage in sexual activity freely -
Suicide is frowned on

The Satanist needs no elaborate, detailed list of rules of behavior. Most
religions like Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam have well-defined meanings.
Satanism is the exception.