The Historical Changes in the Religion of Satanism - Research Paper Example

SATANISM IN RELIGIOUS THOUGHT Satanism in Religious Thought Word Count: 1256 (5 pages) I. Introduction Satanism started to be informally practiced in the Old Testament era when people would turn to ungodly ways that were not approved by the Lord. Later on, it turned into a formal movement was begun in the United States about five decades ago. According to Lachman (2008), “By the mid-sixties, the most famous people in the world—the Beatles and the Rolling Stones—advocated a grab bag of mystical pursuits: meditation, Eastern wisdom, magic, even Satanism, as the Stones’ song “Sympathy for the Devil” suggests” (pp. 207). Satanism is practiced in many areas in the U.S., but little is known about actual practitioners because much of what takes place at Satanic gatherings is very secretive and exclusive. In this piece, one will most definitely explore: the definition of religion and the non-empirical; the story and symbolism of Satanism; and rituals, altered consciousness, and historical changes in the religion of Satanism. II. The Definition of Religion and the Non-Empirical The working definition of religion has to do with the way people associate meaning with rituals. In all religions, there are definitely aspects of the non-empirical. One of the issues that cannot necessarily be measured is the degree to which one believes that Satan—the deity of Satanism—is actually real. Much of what has been vilified about the group in the news has been over other elements of the occult that are tied to Satanic practice. According to Magdalino (2006), “The close but tense relationship between occult scientists and rulers or would-be rulers is, more than anything, what puts occult science in the news…” (pp. 120). The form that the non-empirical takes in Satanism is that there is no actual evidence that the ideas brought forth in Satanism are actually real—or if they are just ideas that are popularly proffered by certain groups of people in the occult who want to scare others into submission to this particular religious persuasion. Without a doubt, Satanism does fit into the definition of making up all of the elements of a religion. However, unlike many other world religions, it does not advocate peace or freedom, but strife and bondage. Certainly, like any other religion—it has its adherents. It also has its opponents, usually Christians who are bent upon focusing upon the person who had the most direct contact and supernatural encounters with Satan himself—who is found in the person of Jesus Christ, God’s Son (according to those who believe in scriptural inerrancy). Definitely, one of the problems inherent in Satanism is that the individual is put first before community and the good of the common man. Instead, Satanism is a religion which is completely contrary to the Word of God (the Bible), and as such creates great religious conflict. III. The Story and Symbolism of Satanism Stories about Satanism are rare and far and few in between, mainly because of the secretive nature of its members. Much of the literature in Satanism came from Ayn Rand’s Objectivist writings. According to Greer (2003), The “Church of Satan derived much of its philosophy from the writings of Ayn Rand and used the trappings of Satanism mostly as a source of publicity” (pp. 422). Symbols used in Satanism include use of the inverted cross, upon which Jesus’s disciple Peter was crucified. The inverted cross is used for various rituals of the Satanists, which include having new members put on the altar of the inverted cross—and then have unspeakable atrocities committed to them. There is also talk that in Satanism, there is harm done to animals. Now, it has been said that anyone who would harm an animal would harm a person. That is what is so damaging about this particular faith, is that it has a negative outlook on almost everything—being in favor of everything contrary to what is good and positive in the world. Other forms of symbolism that are popular in Satanism would be the anarchy sign (the pentacle inscribed in a circle), as well as the skull and crossbones and other various kinds of religious imagery. Definitely, Satanism is a religion that one should not associate with in any way, shape, or form—if humanly possible. The only references that should be made to this religion are ways in which Satanism can be defeated. Certainly, such a controversial subject does not come without problems. Many people have reported a certain discomfort with even discussing this religion, which gives many people bad vibes. No one wants to be associated with a religion that is in contra to Noachide law—which are seen in all three of the world’s most major religions, of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. IV. Rituals, Altered Consciousness, and Historical Changes in Satanism Satanism has been said to focus on various elements of rituals and altered consciousness, as the history of the religion has evolved. Rituals in Satanism can include various meeting rituals which include abuse and gratuitous sex and violence. Altered consciousness is also a major problem that many Satanists will have to encounter should they go deeper into the throes of the religion’s tenets. According to Seth (2003), prolonged spiritual battle can cause “focus lock” (pp. 10). Historically speaking, Satanism has changed from being simply anti-Christian into a movement which supports the idea of anarchy—that there should be no government intrusion whatsoever into private citizens’ lives. Certainly, Satanism has its place in history. Many illegal acts have happened in the name of Satanism, and most definitely, it is a religion which must be reckoned with—especially since peoples’ practice of this destructive faith is only going to rise in order to replace the ‘non-family’ family structure. Since families are now either non-existent or breaking down, one of the things that has happened is that these anti-social movements like gangs, the occult, and groups like Satanists have sucked victims into their web of lies and deceit—promising them better lives, when they are in reality only putting all these people in spiritual and financial bondage. V. Conclusion Satanism is, no doubt, a religion which deserves much criticism in the public eye. Since Satanism has been the source of countless unlawful acts and actions, Satanists should be looked upon as people who need redemption from this faith by practicing any other kind of faith which has a positive bent rather than a negative one. In this piece, one has definitely explored the following: the definition of religion and the non-empirical; the story and symbolism of Satanism; and rituals, altered consciousness, and historical changes in the religion of Satanism. It is hoped that Satanism will one day be a long-outlasted bunch of antiquated rituals which were left behind in search of better philosophies. For, the only philosophy that Satanism can ultimately form in the hearts of its adherents is hate and inner self-loathing, as was evidenced by meeting an actual Satanist—who had not only hate for others but a deep hatred for his own life and what was happening within his own life. It was this search for self-actualization that led this person to Satanism—which is ultimately a form of intellectual bondage that envelops its adherents in a shroud of malaise and misguided and uninformed secrecy. Basically, Satanism cannot be taken lightly, nor should it be. Anyone who is a serious student of religion is going to have to take this religion into account due to its growing base as people are increasingly alienated from their families and seek socially-oriented religious groups (such as Satanism) in order to feel a community connection again. It is hoped that these people who embrace Satanism will one day find the fulfillment in God and family that brings true and lasting peace. BIBLIOGRAPHY Greer, J.M. (2003). The new encyclopedia of the occult. US: Llewellyn Worldwide. Lachman, G. (2008). Politics and the occult: the left, the right, and the radically unseen. US: Quest Books. Magdalino, P. (2006). The occult sciences in Byzantium. US: La Pomme d’Or. Seth. (2003). The occult art of war. US: iUniverse. Read More