SatanismWhat The Devil Is It SATANISM… WHAT THE DEVIL IS IT? by Ed Havaich
Murder, desecrated and ransacked graves and crypts, self-mutilation, and sexual abuse are among the activities that are grabbing headlines by some who call themselves satanists. These attention getting articles focus on the actions of individuals who are carrying out bizarre rituals that have led to human sacrifices that are shocking the media, community leaders, police, and the clergy.
For example, the occult ritual torture and killing of 15 people near Matamoros, Mexico (across the border from Brownsville, Texas) seized the nation’s attention earlier this year. (See PFO Journal, July-Sept., 1989, pp. 3,11.) Television’s Geraldo, along with a host of news magazine programs continually focus attention on the subject of ritual abuse.
The media has reported that crimes that once baffled police are being approached from different angles as law enforcement agencies are becoming more aware of satanic crimes. Detective Robert Simandi, a 21-year police veteran and member of the Chicago Police Department’s gang crime unit says, “I think it’s going to be a growing problem as we go into the 90s.” <1> Seminars to teach police officers how to look for evidence of satanic activity are springing up all across the country.
Two of the more prominent proponents of contemporary Satanism are the Church of Satan and the Temple of Set. The Church of Satan was founded in San Francisco in 1966 by Anton Szandor La Vey. Authors Josh McDowell and Don Stewart comment in their book, Understanding The Occult: “La Vey is currently the High Priest of the church, which espouses any type of sexual activity that satisfies your needs, be it hetrosexuality, homosexuality, adultery or faithfulness in marriage.” (pg. 140)
The Temple of Set broke off from La Vey’s Church of Satan during the early-to-mid 1970s. <2> The General Information and Admissions Policy of the organization claims it to be a return to “magically and philosophical roots” which it sees as “prehistoric, orginating in man’s first apprehension that there is something different about the human race.” The group is currently headed by its founder, Dr. Michael A. Aquino.
Both the Church of Satan and the Temple of Set steadfastly deny any connection with ritual abuse or with any other such criminal activity.
The allure of the satanic groups seems to originate with the need to fit in, to be part of an elite group or brotherhood. For some, the attraction promised is the acquisition of power; for others it is the capacity to shock and horrify parents and friends, and others find it as an advancement from drugs and less puissant occult activities.
Sean Sellers, a teen-ager currently on death row in Oklahoma for the murder of his parents and a convenience store clerk, described himself as “a self-proclaimed Satanist” who was an alienated youth sufering from a deep sense of rejection. He claims that at the age of 12, his involvment with the occult began with the roll-playing game “Dungeons and Dragons.” In 1983, after a break-up with his girlfriend, he entered the world of drugs and alcohol and dedicated his life to Satan. Today Sellers is outspoken against his former way of life having found forgiveness in the person of Christ. <3>
According to the Bethesda Psychealth Institute in Denver, Satanists have generally been classified as highly intelligent individuals with low self-esteem. They usually are underachievers and some of them have a fascination with death. Further observations show them to be very creative, yet bored, with a passion for magic. Satanism offers them a diversion. <4>
Some who are involved in satanic cults have been known to drink blood, or a blood and urine combination sometimes mixed with drugs, according to former occultists. Further, the mutilation of animals is also common among them, as satanists believe to gain power from these sacrifices.
The Black Mass, a vital rite of Satanism, is a declaration of blatant blasphemy. There the symbols associated with the Christian church are taken and perverted by the participants. A nude woman is used as an altar in a chamber draped in black. An upside -down cross may be visible and the Lord’s Prayer is recited backward. Although many other particulars could be revealed concerning these proceedings it may be to graphic and offensive for a general reading audience. In essence the Black Mass is a repudiation of Christianity. It is ritualistic contempt.
Today one of the fastest selling books on college campuses and mall book stores is La Vey’s The Satanic Bible. La Vey is also known as the “The Black Pope” and in some areas, his work is even reported to outsell the Bible. <5>
What is The Satanic Bible? While most people certainly would not have this publication as part of their library, still for others it is an irresistible attraction to see what hidden secrets it may hold. While the Church of Satan does not possess an official doctrinal statement, The Satanic Bible list for adherents the “Nine Satanic Statements.” These nine statements apparently are the very crux of Satanism, and read as follows:
“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 a 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 has been the best friend the church has ever had, as he has kept it in business all these years!” <6>
A few quotes from The Satanic Bible will further expound on the intent of the book:
“The first book of the Satanic Bible is not an attempt to blaspheme as much as it is a statement of what might be termed “diabolical indignation” <7>
“Love your enemies and do good to them that hate and use you is this not the despicable philosophy of the spaniel that rolls upon is back when kicked?… Hate your enemies with a whole heart, and if an man smite you on one cheek, SMASH him on the other!; smite him hip and thigh, for self-preservation is the highest law!… He who turns the other cheek is a cowardly dog!” <8>
Satan is mentioned 49 times in the Bible. <9> Satan, who was originally known as Lucifer, sinned against God, his crime was wanting to usurp the very throne of God. “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Satan’s ultimate fate is includes being cast out of heaven and down to Sheol. <10> As the Prince and power of the air he was there as the initiator of the fall of man. Jesus meet him in the desert and was tempted by Him as he quoting the scriptures in a twisted à 2Ð/