SATANISM

Almost complete absence of satanism explanation in public media leads us to the question: what is satanism anyway?

The origin of satanism

Probably satanism originates from the Middle ages and was practiced occasionally by small groups in secrecy. The origin of satanism as well as it's later existence seems to be inseparably connected to Christianity.

Christianity and other religions assume a lot of abstinence. As such, they have caused an attempt of some groups to resist that influence, so the satanism evolved as one of reactions to Christianity.

Satanism and religion

Following one particular definition, religion is a believe with the following main features:

1. relatively simple believe about origin, nature, and purpose of being - religious believe
2. organization and community on the basis of religious believe.
3. rituals which manifest commonality on the basis of religious believe.

Satanism has relatively simple religious believe. Satanist organizations surely exist in the world and their existence can be spotted even publicly in Internet. Finally satanists do not hide there are certain rituals followed in their practice.

In short, if we accept the definition above, satanism is definitely a religion.

Basic features of satanism

By analyzing of LaVey's "Satanic Bible" the following important features of satanism can be deduced:

• the primary human aim is exclusively maximum personal happiness and enjoyment in earth life. If a satanist does something for others, he is doing it because currently he feels some current satisfaction about it. Satanism does not accept abstinence.
• strong can and should destroy the weak ("Death to the weakling, wealth to the strong!")
• revenge unproportional to the damage done
• satanists completely refuse the feeling of guilt about their personal acts, no matter what sort of acts they did.
• satanists are opponents of all religions, especially Christianity
• satanists have the supreme god called Lucifer and also call him different names.
• there are specific rituals in Satanism
• satanists are calling "legions from Hell" and dead people from "the house of dead" in order to rule the earth life.
• human sacrifice at oltar for religious purposes is allowed "on specific occasions".

Connection between satanism and Christianity

Satanism grew up as reaction to strong moral dogmas of Christianity. Apart from that, satanism has also completely connected it's terminology to Christianity by taking it's symbols from negative Christian counterparts. Satanic rituals are also in lots of aspects directly opposed to Christianity. Just because of being directly opposed to Christianity, Satanism has automatically put itself in connection to it.

Deep antagonism that satanists are feeling towards Christianity makes them deadly enimies to Christianity, but also to the other religions.

Does satanism allow ritual human sacrifice?

LaVey's satanic bible is again to offer straight answer: human ritual sacrifice is allowed and even recommended in certain situations. For human sacrifice the satanist can choose an obnoxious person, ie he chooses the person whose sacrifice will induce the biggest possible hate and anger in himself during curse rituals.

Types of satanic rituals

According to LaVey, satanists have three types of rituals:

• curse ritual is aimed to call misfortune or death to a person.
• lust ritual for personal sexual wishes fulfillment
• ritual for solution of some material problems (money, health, etc)

Parallels

It is quite interesting that satanic features mentioned above can be correlated to certain social phenomena, people, or institutions.It is possible that parallel of satanism to those phenomena is the general sign of the current situation of human morality in the world.

Satanism and civilization

The basic features of satanism taken as a whole as stated above in this essay, are completely opposite to civilization norms established by the vast majority of mankind, with no concern of any particular religion at all.

Because of mostly secret satanic actions, the satanists are exposed only from time to time by the hard criminal acts brought to public. It will stay unclear, however, if there are any important differences between various satanic groups, because their acting is performed in secrecy.

Still, if LaVey's opinion stays for all these groups, then it is quite clear that satanism and modern civilization are basically opposed. No matter about religions believes of people, there is a thought saying that every personal freedom is limited by the freedom of other human beings. And satanism is opposed to the freedom of all of us.

Literature:

"The Satanic Bible" - Anton Szandor LaVey