Satanism

While many people are ignorant about and sometimes tearful of the occult-related activities associated with Paganism, Witchcraft and Cultural Spiritualism, such fear cannot match the horrific images attached to Satanism. The very idea that one can worship Satan is diametrically opposed to the Judeo-Christian[sic] religious background of most Americans. Such fear makes it all the more important that those in law enforcement understand the belief systems, activities, and symbolism of yesterday's and today's practicing Satanists.

Ironically, the initial use of the words Satan and Devil were not connected with evil. Satan obtained his name from the Hebrew word Satan meaning "adversary", "obstacle", "opponent", or "one who obstructs". Similarly, the word devil is derived from the Greek diabolos meaning "slanderer", "perjurer", or "adversary". Despite the earlier use of both words, the idea of Satan as an evil force in nature did not appear until the Sixth Century BCE. At that time, the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster spread throughout Persia, creating one of the earliest monotheistic religions. Zoroastrianism was the first religion to espouse the absolute principle of evil, teaching that two forces in the universe were in an eternal battle: the Principle of Light, Ahura Mazda, who was the source of all good; and the Principle of Darkness, Angra Mainyu, the source of all evil. Both forces were locked into continual battle, attempting to destroy each other, until the coming of the Judgment when the forces of Light would triumph. Thus, Zoroastrianism became the first of the only four world religions that "have had a real devil." (Russell, 1988:4.)

The ancient Hebrews were the second religion to embrace the modern concept of Satan. After the Hebrews were conquered in 586 BCE., they were expelled from Jerusalem and deported to Babylonia. When Babylonia fell to Cyrus the Great of Persia in 538 BCE., the evolving Hebrew faith was exposed to Zoroastrianism. Previously, Satan had maintained a religious role derivative from the name: Satan was an "accuser" who accused men before God, exposed their infidelity and then helped God bring about their punishment. (Lyons, 1988:22.) God was responsible for both good and evil.

Zoroastrian influences, however, drastically changed the Hebrew faith when "the Jewish Sheol, once a place of eternal

The Church of Satan As of this writing, only two known organized Satanic churches with notable memberships exist in the United States. The Church of Satan, with a membership rumored to be somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000, is the most well-known. On May Eve 1966, the Church of Satan's founder, Anton LaVey announced the year 1 SA. (anno Satanas.) During its first years, membership grew rapidly although active members never numbered more than 2,000. By the early 1970s, the Church of Satan had established groups around the United States. In the mid-1970s, disagreements led to many withdrawals and expulsions of leaders, some of whom founded other Satanic groups. As the number of groups associated with the Church of Satan continued to decline in the late 1970s, LaVey became reclusive. He continues to run The Church of Satan from his home in San Francisco where all potential members and charters of other congregations (grettos) are accepted or rejected. The Church does not proselytize, but welcomes inquiries from potential Satanists who are, in turn, carefully screened prior to acceptance. The Satanist views the self as the highest embodiment of human life. Thus, the Church of Satan promotes the development of strong individuals who seek the greatest gratification from life and practice selfish virtues as long as they harm no other. Worship is based upon the belief that man needs ritual, dogma, fantasy and enchantment. Services consist of magical rituals of three kinds: sexual rituals to fulfill a desire; compassionate rituals to help another person; and destructive rituals used for anger, annoyance or hate. Ritual tools include a black robe, altar, the symbol of Baphomet (Satan), candles, a bell, a chalice, a sword, a model phallus, a gong, parchment and some kind of elixir or drink. The highest holiday is one's own birthday; other holidays include the eight ceremonial days enjoyed by the Pagan religions. The Church's perspective is summarized in the nine Satanic Statements found in LaVey's first book, The Satanic Bible: 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 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 lead to physical or mental gratification! 9. Satan has been the best friend the church has ever had, as he has kept it in business all these years!