"The Many Faces of Satanism" (an article from Forward magazine [now the Christian Research Journal], Fall 1986, page 17) by Craig S. Hawkins.

The Editor-in-Chief of the Christian Research Journal is Elliot Miller.

"There are two ways to be fooled: One is to believe what isn't so; the other is to refuse to believe what is so." -- Soren Kierkegaard

Kierkegaard's observation was well understood by C.S. Lewis. In The Screwtape Letters Lewis noted that people often either dismiss as mere nonsense the devil's existence and interaction with mankind, or they believe but have an excessive interest in him (either of which error delights the devil immensely). In an analogous manner, many people today tend toward either of two opposite extremes. Some consider it preposterous, medieval, tabloid-mentality, simple gullibility and/or paranoia to think that in this "enlightened age" people actually invoke and worship Satan. Others (mainly Christians) are too quick to label as "Satanists" those who participate in any variety of occultism. Seeing a Satanist "under every rock and tree," they exaggerate the number of people actually involved with Satanism.

We must avoid these extremes if we are to accurately analyze and appropriately respond to our topic -- Satanism. It is a fact that Satanism, in its various forms, exists and merits the attention of the church and law enforcement agencies. [1] Ignoring it will not make it go away. But neither will overstating the case (i.e. the extent of Satanism) contribute to its demise.

In the news media across America, Satanists are being charged with such crimes as mutilating and sacrificing animals, desecrating churches, profaning and robbing graves, exhuming corpses, raping, kidnapping, child molestation, ritual murder and cannibalism. Do
Satanists really do these things, and if so, do all Satanists or just certain ones? Why would they commit such crimes? Furthermore, how pervasive is Satanism today? These are just a few of the common questions that will be addressed in this article.

Due to the highly clandestine character of many Satanists it is nearly impossible to accurately approximate the number of both the people involved in Satanism, and the crimes directly related to it. But it can be safely stated that the criminal aspect of Satanism is serious enough to warrant many police departments around the nation training staff concerning how to identify and counteract this menace to society. Additionally, based upon information supplied by law enforcement agencies, researchers, former Satanists, and observers of socio-religious trends, it appears that in the foreseeable future the situation will get worse before it gets better. [2]

The extent of Satanism is often exaggerated because the topic lends itself to sensationalism. Nonetheless, it is certain that the church can never be too concerned for Satanists' salvation.

The purpose of this article is to help the Christian to understand the world views and practices of contemporary Satanists in order that he or she might more effectively share the gospel with them (Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 9:19-22), and help prevent others from involving themselves in this nefarious religion.

SATANISM AND STEREOTYPES

What is Satanism? In order to clearly and accurately expound upon Satanism it is essential that we have a precise working definition: Satanism is the cognizant belief in and deliberate invocation and worship of Satan as a supernatural personal being, or an impersonal force or energy, or a religious symbol representing the material world and carnal nature of mankind. [3] In short, Satanists directly identify with Satan according to one of these definitions of that name.

In conjunction with the above, Satanist metaphysics and ethics are for the most part predicated upon the complete reversal, inversion, or antithesis of Christianity. For example, Satanists esteem pride and greed to be virtues, whereas these are vices in Christianity (what Christians call good, Satanists call evil, and vice versa). However, their rituals may or may not be complete opposites or mockeries of Christian rites (especially Roman Catholic rites).

Satanism proper does not include such people as ritual or ceremonial magicians, witches, spiritists, psychics, or other occultists. [4] Many of these people claim to not believe in Satan, let alone worship or invoke him. Their metaphysical and ethical beliefs are not necessarily formulated upon the reversal or antithesis of Christianity. For instance, they may believe that some of the things called sins in the Bible are indeed wrong.

The fact that the aforementioned occultists should not be classed as Satanists does not in any sense mitigate the wrongness of their practices, which are clearly condemned in Scripture (Deuteronomy 18:9-12; Leviticus 19:26; Galatians 5:20). From a Scriptural point of view it is irrelevant whether occultists understand the actual source (Satan) of their abilities -- God still sits in judgment upon such actions. All true occultists have intercourse with the same forbidden spiritual realm. Nonetheless, if we wish to effectively evangelize occultists, we should not oversimplify to the point that we do not adequately understand and refute their views. [5]

A major obstacle in the way of Christians recognizing and witnessing to Satanists is the prevailing and misleading stereotypes that are held concerning them. Maladjusted. Social misfits. Drug-crazed. Not-too-bright. Low socioeconomic status. Just plain losers. These are some of the common terms people use to describe what types of individuals they think get involved with Satanism. However, these stereotypes are not only incorrect concerning many Satanists, they are dangerous, because they foster the idea that no "normal" person, like "our little Johnny" or "our nice neighbor," could possibly be a Satanist. Yes, some Satanists do fit the stereotypes, but many more do not. In fact, some Satanists are successful professionals, and many are relatively well-adjusted, attractive, and intelligent people. Satanists come from all walks of life.

Also, Satanism is not a monolithic, unified whole in its organizational structure, beliefs and practices, as some may believe. Most local groups are pretty much autonomous, not associating with one another. A few groups associate with other groups, but only within their own organization and not with Satanists outside their alliance. For instance, individual chapters (called grottoes) of Anton LaVey's Church of Satan (to be discussed later) interact with one another.

The Shaping of Contemporary Satanism

Satanism is very eclectic in the sources from which it has derived. There are several major influences which have contributed to the structure of contemporary Satanism in its diverse forms. The first and most obvious of these is Christianity. Satanism arose against the backdrop of Christianity. It is its antithesis, and for the most part only exists as a parasite and perversion of Christian beliefs and practices. In addition to Christianity, Satanism has borrowed much from grimories, ceremonial magic, witchcraft, and other occultic writings.

Aleister Crowley and A.E. Waite, two ceremonial magicians, have undoubtedly wielded a heavy influence upon Satanism. Among the books written by these two prolific occult writers that are popular among Satanists are Magic in Theory and Practice (Crowley), and The Book of Back Magic and Ceremonial Magic (Waite).

Anton LaVey (himself greatly influenced by Crowley and witchcraft), who wrote The Satanic Bible and The Satanic Rituals, is a figure to be reckoned with in contemporary Satanism. His works are especially popular among the younger generation of practicing Satanists. [6]

TYPES OF SATANISTS

The following system for classifying Satanists is somewhat arbitrary, but useful and necessary for clarification. In real life these categories at times overlap. The seven types of Satanists are, then, 1) traditional Satanists, 2) nontraditional Satanists, 3) public Satanists, 4) fringe group Satanists, 5) youth gang Satanists, 6) individual Satanists, and 7) individual psychotic Satanists. [7] We need to keep in mind that within each of these individual categories are true or serious Satanists, as opposed to "dabblers" who are involved in Satanism more as a fad, or possess a nonchalant attitude about it. In other words, not everyone who is caught up in Satanism has seriously thought through the implications of what it entails. Indeed, many have not.

Group Satanists

By traditional Satanists we are referring to those Satanists who approximate the basic stereotype that most people have concerning what a Satanist believes and does. However, in using this title we are not suggesting that this type of Satanist has necessarily been around for hundreds of years. [8] Traditional types are extremely secretive concerning their existence, and do their best to elude detection. [9] Their rituals and beliefs are based upon traditional Christianity (mainly Roman Catholicism), except everything is reversed.

Traditional Satanists have a complete disdain for things Christian and mock and desecrate rituals held sacred by the church. For instance, they might recite the Lord's prayer backwards or insert blasphemies in it. The communion cup is often filled with animal or human blood, urine or anything else desired. Likewise, the host or communion wafer is profaned or substituted with certain detestable items (these practices derive from the infamous Black Mass). In very rare and extreme cases animal or human sacrifices may be offered in rituals to further pervert the Christian counterpart or to add greater efficacy to the rite.

Just as Christianity's rites are perverted, so are its doctrines. In essence, almost everything believed or done is a reversal or inversion of the Christian counterpart. These attitudes and practices are to a greater or lesser extent subscribed to by all Satanists, but they are the hallmark of the traditional Satanists.

The second category of group Satanists, the non-traditionalists, are much more eclectic than traditionalists, but generally just as secretive. Certainly they mock much in Christianity, but unlike the traditionalist, this is not the primary catalyst for the development of their dogma and rites. Both rites and dogma are not necessarily antithetical to Christianity. For instance, they may believe in innumerable reincarnations of earthly lives in which they will be able to fully indulge their carnal appetites, and not in the traditional Christian concepts of heaven and hell. Or they may hold to a dualistic concept of the power of God and Satan; that is, God and Satan are approximately equal in power and ability, rather than the biblical view that although Satan is a very powerful being, he is nonetheless dependent of his very existence upon the infinite Creator -- God Almighty.

Should a particular nontraditional group perform an animal or human sacrifice, and/or drink their blood or eat certain body parts, this would not necessarily be a parody of the sacrifices in the Old Testament, or of Christ's offering Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind. These actions could instead stem from the belief that there is an invisible force (mana) that can be transmitted to a recipient through the consumption of blood or certain organs, such as the brain or heart. Thus one could supposedly obtain immortality by periodically eating the heart of another, or gain for oneself the attributes and power of a deceased animal or person by drinking its blood. These are rather ancient ideas that various societies throughout history have believed.

These groups may also be heavily absorbed in sex and the taking of drugs. However, this may not be merely for the purpose of recreation or escapism, but in accordance with religious and magical rites. The role that sex and drugs play will depend upon the level of philosophical and magico-religious sophistication of a given group or its leader. The point to be grasped is that this type of Satanist theology is shaped by any given number of magico-religious beliefs and does not arise just in reaction to Christianity.

Public Satanists, our third category, are so labeled because unlike the former two, they are not underground or secretive concerning their existence. On the contrary, some are quite visible and have received much publicity. There are close to a dozen of these groups in America. For the most part they are serious or religious Satanists, having well developed belief systems. Most, but not all, are greatly influenced by Gnosticism or Anton LaVey's writings. For brevity's sake, we cannot closely examine the spectrum of public Satanist dogma, but we will discuss one.

The most infamous public Satanist organization is Anton LaVey's Satanic Church in America, founded in 1966. Some have alleged that LaVey only started and continues his "church" as a lark, as a means to gain recognition, and as a lucrative business adventure. On the other hand, others consider him, in spite of possible past ulterior motives, to be a serious practitioner of the black arts. Whatever the case, one thing is clear: LaVey is a major influence on contemporary Satanism.

The Satanic Church's creed is based upon a denial and reversal of orthodox Christianity. What LaVey terms the Christian church's seven deadly sins: greed, pride, envy, anger, gluttony, lust, and sloth, are to be fully indulged as they lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification. LaVey's beliefs are a combination of Machiavellian social ethics, hedonism, and simple narcissism as the highest good. he states:

Hate your enemies with a whole heart, and if a man smite you on the cheek, SMASH him on the other! ... Life is the great indulgence -- death, the great abstinence. Therefore, make the most of life -- HERE AND NOW! [10]

Who or what does LaVey's brand of Satanism believe in or worship? The answer is Satan, but as defined by LaVey -- the material world, man, and his carnal nature or appetites. Satanism for LaVey is the worship of man, just the way he is, with all of his fleshly desires and appetites. It is a religion of indulgence of man's carnal passions as symbolized by the term "Satan," codified and practiced by the inversion of Christian ethics. LaVey's "god" is himself, and the gods of his followers are themselves. [11]

To be sure, LaVey's ethics tend to be a complete reversal of Christian values, but his rituals are for the most part not based on parodies of Christian rites, as with the traditional Satanists. LaVey's rites are a synthesis of a number of different magical traditions, in conjunction with his own innovations. Thus, except on rare occasions, LaVey does not practice the Black Mass. [12]

Youth gang Satanists is, unfortunately, a slightly misleading title for our next category. Nevertheless, we have chosen to retain it because it is being used by many law enforcement agencies and researchers. Also, among the possibilities it best describes this category.

These groups are composed of young people (predominantly white males), ranging in ages from early teen to early twenties, but they do not fit the usual criteria for appropriating the phrase "youth gang." One obvious reason is because they are Satanists. The gangs cohere due to a commonality of Satanism, often identifying with a particular genre of rock music (heavy metal, black metal), and not primarily, like traditional gangs, because of ethnical or territorial considerations. Nor do the majority come from low socioeconomic backgrounds; on the contrary, many come from middle to upper-middle class families.

We can make some generalizations about the typical youth gang Satanist. Many have low self-esteem, while at the same time they are fairly intelligent and curious. Most join a Satanic group as a fad or lark. It is, all rolled into one, an attention-getting device, a means to vent youthful hostilities and shock parents and other adults, and an excuse to party and rebel against societal norms. Indeed, some have called it "ultimate rebellion."

Over 90% who get involved are "dabblers"; they are not true or serious Satanists. They are also termed "self-styled" Satanists since most have read a little here, a little there (probably some of LaVey's material), seen a few Hollywood horror productions with
alleged Satanic rites, and then improvised their own rituals. The bottom line is that most are "playing" at being Satanists. Nevertheless, even granting that their nonchalant involvement with Satanism is merely a phase of normal adolescent rebellion, the potential consequences to the individual's physical, emotional, and spiritual health, and to society at large are by no means innocuous. [13] Furthermore, for a small percentage of these young people, involvement goes past being a phase, and they become religious Satanists, adopting Satanism's belief and value system as their own adult world view.

The primary interests and activities of fringe group Satanists, our last group category, are centered around one or more deviant, and in many cases, illegal, activity. Satanism is only a secondary interest which forms a kind of backdrop for the primary pursuit. Deviant interests may include pedophilia (this type of Satanist is the most likely to practice child abuse), group sex, sadomasochism, homosexuality, and taking drugs. (It is not the case that these activities do not occur in the other Satanic groups, but as inverted Christian rituals are to the traditional Satanists, so these practices are the hallmark of fringe group Satanists). Also, they are known for lacking a well formulated belief system concerning Satanism. Many, if not all, are socially deviant, as their actions well attest. [14]

Individual Satanists

In contradistinction to the preceding categories, which are all group Satanists, we have the individual Satanists. They do not participate in a group context for a multiplicity of reasons (which will be discussed below). Their initial interest in Satanism was likely stimulated by any one, or combination, of the following sources: 1) reading horror stories, occult literature, or specifically Satanic material; 2) seeing horror movies, especially ones that romanticize the devil; 3) listening to certain types of music with either subtle or blatant Satanic lyrics and art work; 4) through an acquaintance who is more or less familiar with some form of Satanism.

Individual Satanists are so because they are not aware of any groups in their area, or they do not feel the need to get involved with one. [15] Nonetheless, to some degree (from dabblers to serious Satanists) they believe in and practice Satanism. Ages range from the early teens to adults. Very little information can be given about these Satanists, except that their views and practices cover the spectrum of Satanism.

We can be a bit more descriptive regarding the second type of individual Satanist -- the psychotic individual Satanist. All the things said about the former type equally apply here, coupled with being seriously mentally deranged. An example of one is the “Night Stalker,” who plagued Southern California during 1985, committing horrific crimes. It may be that some Satanic serial killers have a minimal knowledge of Satanism, and use it to express rage rather than religion. [16]

In addition to the previously mentioned factors as to why individual Satanists do not belong to groups we can add the possibility that the psychotic types were excluded from one (any one of the group categories) because their behavior is too volatile. The group may have feared being publicly discovered or linked to criminal activities.

From the Christian standpoint it is highly probable that many of these deranged individuals are demon possessed. Demon possession and mental illnesses stemming from natural causes, whether biological or psychogenic, can exhibit many corresponding symptoms. Anyone who involves himself with the occult, particularly Satanism, is opening the door to possession.

THE PHILOSOPHICAL SUPPOSITIONS OF SATANISTS

As the type of people who are Satanists varies, so their views concerning God, Satan and the afterlife, and their philosophy of magic differ. We should remember that not every Satanist has fully thought through or reflected upon his beliefs. Any combination of the ideas which follow can be found within most categories of Satanists (e.g., not all of the different nontraditional group Satanists hold to the same philosophy as to how or why magic works).

God and Satan: Their Existence and Relationship

There are three primary perspectives concerning the existence of God and Satan, and their relationship to one another: 1) There is LaVey’s view that God is only the balancing force in nature, while Satan is merely a religious symbol indicative of the material world, man, and his carnal nature. [17] Thus, neither God nor Satan exist as a spiritual entity. No supernatural beings exist at all, either as personal or impersonal powers. Since LaVey does not grant the ontological reality of either, obviously neither can ultimately triumph over the other. 2) Both God and the devil exist independently of each other, whether as personal beings or impersonal forces, and are approximately equal in power (this view is derived from Manichean dualism [18]). Within this framework, some Satanists believe the balance of power will remain the same with neither side dominating or conquering the other; others hold that Satan will eventually conquer God. 3) Both God and Satan exist as personal beings, but Satan is a finite being who is dependent for his existence and power upon God (the biblical view). Given this view, Satan’s defeat and that of all evil is inevitable.

The Afterlife

Corresponding to these perspectives regarding the existence and nature of God and Satan, there are four fundamental notions concerning an afterlife: 1) There is no afterlife; the here and now is all there is. [19] 2) Some Satanists, influenced by Eastern sources, subscribe to reincarnation with a new twist: an eternity of physical rebirths to unrestrainedly gorge their carnal appetites -- for them the best of all possible worlds. [20] 3) After Satan defeats God, Satanists will be rewarded with great power and position, spending eternity in Satan’s new kingdom -- “hell” -- a place of intensified sensual pleasures and unbridled debauchery (one big party). [21] 4) After God has judged Satan and all those who have followed him, they will suffer eternal torment, but nonetheless revel in their rebellion against God. [22]

Incredible as this last view (4) may sound to the Christian, many Satanists actually know that they will suffer excruciating anguish throughout eternity, but still persist in their choice to follow the devil. Satanists may hold this seemingly incomprehensible position because of their seething hatred and utter contempt for God and Christians. God is viewed as a contemptible, weak-willed, spineless, maudlin chump, a cosmic bore and “nerd” of infinite proportions. Christianity is viewed as a nuisance and hindrance to living; as a dreary, tedious, and lifeless religion. Thus, some Satanists reason, who could possibly want to spend eternity with this kind of God? Satan and his ways are seen as absorbing, exciting, provocative -- really living. They feel it would be better to fully indulge themselves in this life, and if nothing else be alive and burning with hatred for all eternity than to merely exist in heaven. In short, they feel it is more satisfying to live ungodly and follow the most ungodly of all -- Satan -- than to live with and for God.

Magical World Views and Ritual Sacrifices

In common with witchcraft, Satanists share a magical world view. There are varying views among occultists as to exactly what magic is, and how and why it works. Nonetheless, we may safely state that Satanists, as do most occultists, understand magic as the ability to cause changes to result in the everyday world in conformity with one’s own will or desires by invoking or employing mysterious forces. The key idea is that reality may be controlled or manipulated for one’s own ends. [23] The term “mysterious forces,” the actual causal agent, may be interpreted according to three views: 1) “latent psychic abilities” that reside within the person (LaVey); 2) supernormal forces (impersonal) or laws of nature, to date undiscovered by modern science, which exist external to the Satanist; or 3) supernatural personal beings (demons) who exist independently of the Satanist. Whichever of the above opinions is held, Satanists believe that they could, for instance, place a death curse upon someone and that directly because of this curse the person would die.

Given the first two explanations of how magic works, why does someone like LaVey invoke Satan (by this and various other names) during magical rites? Remember, LaVey claims to not believe in any supernatural powers. He states:

I don’t believe that magic is supernatural, only that it is supernormal. That is, it works for reasons science can not yet understand ... As a magician, my concern is with effectively doing the thing, not with the scientist’s job of explaining it. [24]