The Truth About Satanism

If your only exposure to spirituality and religion is found on daytime television talk shows or the nightly news, you probably have a great misunderstanding of what is fact or fiction. Satanism has been the greatest scapegoat of them all and the most misunderstood. If you follow the rantings and ravings on these shows, though admittedly they have grown fewer in number, the new trend seems to be 'paternity test' shows, your perception is totally wrong. Satanism as a whole, as I've researched, is a mind set rather than a defined and confining religion. There are however acceptions.As with many of other religions, the basic foundation is essentially 'good and evil.' The ying and yang of it. There can be no good without evil and visa versa. Just look at the state of the world today. Even in films, there is always the 'good guy' and the 'bad guy'. This stream of thought also transcends into the world of religion. The "my GOD," is better than "your GOD." Or take it even further, "my God is the only true GOD, the rest of you are wrong."

Anton Szandor LaVey was the master behind the satanic movement and started his Satanic Church in 1969. His first book, "The Satanic Bible," has been a best seller for years and a must read for those students of world religions. Anton's spirituality came from within himself, not a dark figure with cloven hooves and tail. Hello Hollywood! True Satanists are not murderers. They do not believe in human sacrifices. They do not de-flower virgins, and they do not kill animals or drink blood in any rituals. Satanism is a way of thinking, a state of mind. It is simplistic and honest. It is a belief based on one's self, rather than others or any other mystical beings.

The "NINE SATANIC STATEMENTS," (Copyright 1969) brings the foundations' beliefs to the point without question.
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 in 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 has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as HE has kept in business all these years

Straight forward and to the point, isn't it? There are no pipe dreams here. Everything you do, you do for yourself. Everything you want and desire can be yours if you are willing to attain it. There are no free rides. As we all know, all the things we crave in the long run, we've worked toward and for. It has not been handed to us. This article is not meant to be confrontational, merely just a piece of information. We all carry the right to believe what we wish to believe even if it is not the most popular stance. That is the foundation to which this country was built on. Freedom of choice. I have seen time and time again, and been guilty of it myself, going out of my way to walk around someone on the street because of their appearance. I myself have been the source of the 'walk arounds.' We judge people on their looks and their demeanor. We never take the time to get to know each other, one on one. And frankly, in this day and age, it's not a surprise. We are afraid of one another. It has been pounded into our brains that unless someone is a carbon copy of ourselves, something must not be right. Should we take the time, it is entirely possible we may find our preconceptions of others to be totally wrong and unfounded.

Those who are Satanists have gotten a bad rap due mostly to our exposure to television, movies, and music. Those people who commit crimes in 'Satan's name,' are already predisposed to commit that crime. Satan is the scapegoat. They killed because they wanted to, felt compelled to, not because 'the Devil made' them do it. It doesn't work that way. There is a survival mode, however, as there is with all living things. It is embedded in our souls, self preservation. There is cruelty in this world but it has nothing to do with a belief in Satan. It stems from the most basic human emotions. When we are threatened, we strike back. It is a reflex motion. That in itself is a part of Satanism. Satanism is a belief of doing what you want, when you want as long as you don't hurt another individual. Remember that last statement. There are rituals involved. Mostly consisting of burning candles, chanting and meditation. These are also common practices in Christianity, Buddhism, etc.

There is some hysteria when confronted with this topic. Hollywood alone is not to blame. Turn on any religious channel on cable and you will hear familiar rhetoric. As I said before, extremists use the belief of Satan to their advantage to frighten and confuse their believers. But Satan is not their only catalyst. Medical research, gay marriage, and many other subjects are also on their attack agenda. When you really get down to the nitty gritty of it, it all comes down to money. How much they can make a show. After all, the latest model of 'the car of the month' has just hit the market. They can't be expected to drive last year's model, now can they? Meanwhile, many of their audience members can't pay this months rent. Again, we come back to freedom of choice. It is their choice to send their money. It truly is a shame. That being said, who is the real monster to fear? Big Brother, perhaps? .

True Satanists are not to be feared. You probably know a few and don't realize it. It is those who use this belief as an excuse to do harm that are the most dangerous.