Essay/Term paper: What is satanism?

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Religion

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.