Satanic Community
Description, Justification, Philosophies Satanism index page
By Vexen Crabtree 2002 Mar 23 | Read / Write Comments
Satanic CommunityBy Vexen Crabtree 2002 Mar 23 | Read / Write Comments
On this page:
UK Internet mailing lists and message boards1. Satanic Community: An Oxymoron?
My page on Church of Satan Membership mentions how most Satanists do not formally join the Church of Satan. This is not frowned upon. The Church of Satan says that membership of the Church of Satan (and indeed, this applies to the Satanic community in general) is like being in a "mutual admiration society", and LaVey used the more provocative term "a cabal", in either case it is slightly oxymoronic that there is a Satanic "community" of non-joiners. Satanism is not about group hugs or social feel-good; "community" is a word that applies to Satanism in only the loosest and least friendly sense of the word.
2. UK Internet mailing lists and message boards
London Satanists mailing list
satanism-uk message board
3. Disputes amongst Satanists (click for full essay)
"Within Satanism it is expected that disagreements will occur. As a Left Hand Path religion, Satanism puts a large emphasis on thinking for yourself. It is not expected that Satanists will automatically agree on anything. If it was that Satanists agreed on everything then we would become weak and dogmatic, simply following the herd. It is not like that. It should be that you can have disagreements and remain 'friends' with the other person. Be mature!"Vexen Crabtree, Disputes, 2001 Jul 16
4. Satanic Parenting - Satanists who are parents (click for full essay)
"It is not doubted that Satanists want what is best for their children the same as other parents probably do. Unlike many religious groups, however, there is no pressure for any religious involvement for the child. Quite the opposite, I have found many Satanists are more concerned about indoctrination (even by accident by themselves) of their child by any religious group, including the Satanists' own beliefs"Vexen Crabtree, Satanic Parenting, 2002 Mar 23
5. Elitism and Satanism (click for full essay)
This page is an introduction to the various ways of looking at elitism in Satanism, including the theory and philosophy behind such concepts in Satanism as "The Elite", "Natural Leaders", "Superman" and "The Alien Elite".
1525 Satanists were counted in the UK 2001 Census, despite "extensive coverage in the media"3 (which I presume means as movie bad guys).
“The numbers of Satanists is notoriously difficult to estimate. In 2001 and 2002 I enquired at London Satanists meetings and found that only half identified themselves as a Satanist on the census. Others put "atheist" or even Christian denominations as their religion. This is a significant under-representation. Therefore, an estimate of 3050 would be sensible. Most Satanic groups are informal, temporary and ad-hoc (so congregation numbers cannot be counted), and the mainstream Church of Satan does not publish membership numbers but also many Satanists are not members of the COS. Hence, estimates of numbers of Satanists have varied wildly according to authors' imaginations and paranoias.”
“As a rule, LaVey doesn't disclose membership figures. "If it's too low, we would be perceived as insignificant, and if it was too high we'd be considered to much of a threat and there would be reason to destroy us. [...] Besides, after 25 years, it would be very difficult to calculate our membership. Members are lifetime members; they don't have to pay any renewal fees every year so we have had a cumulative increase since 1966." Tom Wedge explains this phenomenon in his 1987 book, The Satan Hunter: "However, it must be realized that the great preponderance of the followers of the Church of Satan have never formally made an effort to actually 'join' the church.”
"Secret life of a Satanist" by Blanche Barton, p204
7. Satanism and Violence (click for full essay)
"Satanism is a religion of real life. Violence, in real life, happens. People have always fought each other, and in my opinion people always will do. Satanists know that violence happens. It doesn't matter how moral, advanced or clever you are, sometimes you will be destroyed by someone simply because they are stronger than you. A Satanist feels that he is certainly worth preserving. It is only common sense that even a small amount of combat skill can safeguard yourself against unfortunate turns of event."Vexen Crabtree "Satanism and Violence" 2002 Mar 30
8. Should you tell your parents or workmates, etc, that you are a Satanist?
There is a very practical and subtly efficient side to Satanism that Anton LaVey refers to as "the third side of the coin".
If you tell your parents you are a Satanist and they throw you out of their house, then you shouldn't have told them. If you are fired for being a Satanist, despite it being 'not fair', was it actually in your interests to let your workmates know?
You do not have to tell your parents. Or your workmates. Or anyone at all. You can keep it all entirely personal, Satan as Muse and inspiration to live an indulgent life, with long-term plans made for your own actions to make sure you can indulge for as long as possible.
Many Satanists will not reveal their religion to you unless you seem like a good person and may state "Atheist" until they trust you. There are too many immature morons out there and sometimes it's easier and safer not to bother. On the other hand, there are those who are confident enough to be able to discuss Satanism with any stranger who happens upon them - this is good as long as you have the talent.
9. What do Satanists who have been Baptized into Christianity feel about it?
I, Vexen, was not baptised and neither were my siblings. Our parents weren't religious, but many Satanists and atheists were baptised when very young. Even if baptised when too young to remember it, some people are not happy with it and some actively hate it and are embarrassed about it.
"...you could go through a Satanic baptism if you know anyone willing to help. Obviously it's a symbolic ritual used, as far as I know, for people who want to rid themselves of their xtian upbringing."Donna Black (See Testimony)
10. Altruism and Selfishness1
"A Satanist will not hesitate to admit to being self-centered, selfish and hard and will tell you that you too, have all these qualities in abundance. Satanism is a wholly self-centered philosophy. But most the Satanists I know are normal, social and friendly beings. What gives? A critic could say that our actions do not match our beliefs.
Humans are social animals. We function as social animals and require social activities in order to remain sane, happy and mentally healthy. Being healthy is a must if you wish to live a long and indulgent life! Most mature Satanists display quite altruistic behaviour. Many Satanists find that making other's happy makes themselves happy. Me too. Despite the individualism of the left hand path I think being seen as good, nice or friendly by others is a requirement of our mental health and self esteem. Our ego demands that we are socially acceptable: it makes us unhappy to forfeit altruism.
When a mature person accepts that part and parcel of their own happiness is dependent on being a successful social animal, that making others happy makes oneself happy, is that person selfish or altruistic? Of course it's plain old selfishness; altruism is surely just long-term selfishness. Altruism is a hypocritical concept."
From "Good and Evil" by Vexen Crabtree 2002 Oct 10
11. Conversion to Satanism and prosyltisation2
"Satanists are born not made. This was LaVey's teaching and it is also the conclusion I draw from my experience of Satanic "community". Whether hidden or public, conversion to Satanism (for most people) is either irresistible or impossible. Not many struggle. If a person needs to be consoled or pressurized into calling themselves a Satanist then it is nearly always a mistake to call them one. This is why there is no proselytisation. Conversion is frequently through exposure to The Satanic Bible, Church of Satan in the media and a few other Satanic books."From "Conversion and Prosyltisation" by Vexen Crabtree 2002 Oct 27
12. Character types of Satanists3
"Here I model Satanists into four basic types: Evangelists, Infernals, Practicals and Diabolicists. People, especially Satanists, are notorious for not fitting very well into such boxes. So please bear in mind that no person fits entirely into one box below, and some people fit none of them. Some people, the true Demons, excel all all four categories!"From "Satanic Character Types" by Vexen Crabtree 2002 Nov 05
Barton, Blanche
"The Secret Life of a Satanist". 1990. Published in UK 1992, by Mondo, Titan Books, London, UK by arrangement with Feral Press.
LaVey, Anton [Who Is?]
"The Satanic Bible". 1969, Avon Books Inc, New York, USA.
Notes: