| Satanism Note: Because of the large amount of misinformation in circulation about Satanism, this information sheet is much longer than others in this series. What is Satanism ? Most names of religions (like Christianity, Hinduism, Islam) have well defined meanings. One exception is Satanism: - Some people feel that all non-Christian religions and all Christian denominations other than their own are forms of Satanism. This would imply that all Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems -in fact at least 75% of the world's population are Satanists. - Others feel that all religions other than Judaism or Christianity are inspired by Satan and are thus Satanism. - Large numbers of people feel that a wide variety of unrelated, benign religions (such as Santeria and other Caribbean religions, Druidism, N ew Age, Wicca, etc) are forms of Satanism. Such definitions create great confusion. The following are recommended terms and descriptions for four mostly unrelated religions that have been called Satanism: 1, Religious Satanism: This faith includes the worship of the Christian devil, Satan, either as a deity or as a principle. Three main denominations exist: the Church of Satan, the Temple of Set and the Church of Satanic Liberation. Other short lived Satanic groups currently exist and have existed in the recent past. According to Statistic Canada, the 1991 census found 335 people who identified themselves as Satanists. The actual number is probably significantly larger. A US Department o1. the Army pamphlet #165-13 "RELIGIOUS REQUIREMENTS AND PRACTICES OF CERTAIN SELECTED GROUPS -A HANDBOOK FOR CHAPLAINS" (1978- April) estimated that there were 10 to 20 thousand members of the Church of Satan in the US. Accurate data is impossible to estimate, since the largest group (the Church of Satan) does not release its membership totals. 2. Gothic Satanism: It is an imaginary , profoundly evil religion that was invented during the late Middle Ages. Concepts included killing children, selling their soul to the devil, breaking crucifixes, conducting black masses, etc. It has never existed in the past, and does not exist today, except in the imagination of the public. 3. Teen Satanism: A syncretistic religion which blend of elements taken from Religious Satanism and Gothic Satanism. It is practiced by rebellious teenagers -typically for a short period of time. 4. Other types of Satanism: Occasionally, serial murderers will claim to be Satanists in order to justify their horrendous activities. A small percentage of child molesters will abuse children in a Satanic setting as a means of controlling the victims. The molesters are not actual Satanists; they are simply using the facade of Satanism to further their criminal acts. Some heavy metal rock bands pretend to be associated with Satanism. Their main reason is to gain notoriety in order to sell more records. These three quasi-Satanists will not be dealt with further in this information sheet. Religious Satanism -Brief Description Religious Satanism (or Satanism) involves: - the worship of the Christian devil, Satan, either as a deity or as a principle. - the belief that one should live out their lusts and desires, explore the "seven deadly sins" with enthusiasm. - beliefs, practices and rules of behaviour which are in conflict with traditional Christianity, and essentially all other religions. - a Baphomet symbol, which is a goat's head, drawn within an inverted pentagram (5 pointed star with one point downwards and two up ). It is often surrounded by a circle. - a second symbol which is an infinity sign (a figure 8 on its side). A Roman cross is placed on top with a second, longer cross piece added. - two main Satanic denominations, and a few small ones, totaling about 3,000 adult followers in North America. Religious Satanism -Its Origin Modern Satanism is generally (though mistakenly) regarded as a creation of Aleister Crowley (1875-1947). Aleister was in fact a very prominent ceremonial magician who based his rituals largely upon Judeo-Christian principles. He was raised in a Plymouth Brethren family, but developed an early dislike of organized Christianity. After university, he joined the Order of the Golden Dawn, which practiced magick (ceremonial magic) based on the Kaballah (or Cabbalah, a Jewish mystical tradition), Rosicrucianism (a mystical blend of alchemy, Hinduism, Judaism, etc), Freemasonry (a men's fraternal organization) and Theosophy (a Gnostic tradition believing in a common thread that links all religions). He was kicked out of the Golden Dawn and later joined the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO), which blended ceremonial magic, sex magick and Freemasonry. Crowley reveled in notoriety, billing himself as the Wickedest Man in the World and the Great Beast 666 of Revelation. He is alleged to have committed at least one animal sacrifice, experimented with many illegal drugs and engaged in countless sexual orgies. It is not known how much of this actually happened, and how much is imaginary and created to satisfy his insatiable desire for publicity. Nor is it known how much of the time he was serious, and when he was behaving with tongue in cheek. His prime aim was to contact his Holy Guardian Angel Aiwaz. He did not consider himself a Satanist. He was a prolific writer on magick. Many Satanists have incorporated the contents ofhis books into their own rituals. Many authors and TV personalities have stated that Crowley was the first Satanist, even though evidence points to the contrary. |
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