from http://www.angelfire.com/ego2/traditionalsatanism/wmasatanist.html (accessed 9/6/06) What Makes a Satanist? By Brother Erebus The term Satanism has been, in modern times, the subject of much undue confusion. Distinctions have been made between differing factions, ideologies, and traditions. One would think that Satanism involved the obvious; worship of the Devil. Apparently there are those who do not believe that this is the case. There are some that believe that Satanism is the worship of the Individual over, and separate from, any Divine source. These people, called Modern Satanists, are the products of the Satanic Bible purely. There is no other reason to believe that Man is God and that Satan is an abstract force meant to represent the Carnal nature of that God other than the ŇrationalizationÓ (and I use that word loosely) presented by Dr. LaVey during the first part of said book. This rationalization is, curiously enough, riddled with phrases and statements that would lead one to believe contrary to the atheistic view held by the current followers of the organization founded by LaVey to act as a vehicle to the lifestyle teachings he wished to impart. Why then would they be considered Satanists if they do not worship Satan? Only because of the extensive use of the term by their founder, really. These people have been titled ÔModernistsŐ to differentiate them from Satanists who believe in a Being of greater power and understanding. The lifestyle expressed in the Satanic Bible is a truly inspired teaching and all human beings currently dwelling on this planet should, and would benefit from, taking the ideas expressed by Dr. LaVey into consideration. Modernists are considered Satanists because, for the most part, they live their lives in a truly Satanic manner. They should be commended for this. In a world where the vast majority of people have been handicapped by Judeo-Christian brainwashing, the Satanic lifestyle outlined in the book is a gift from Below. By virtue of the fact that they were founded by a man with a daunting, if not unsurpassed, understanding of Human nature and the balls to call on the Devil for aid has allowed them to maintain a substantial level of influence on the non-SatanistŐs opinion of Satanism. (More times than I would like to recount I have been dismissed as a Ôself-absorbed ME worshipperŐ because of this.) Modern Satanists are considered Satanists because they were founded by a Satanist and continue to use the term, even though it doesnŐt technically apply to the religion they currently follow because of their curiously inane and cowardly omission of the Deity to whom they owe all of their success. They are not Satanists because they do not worship the Devil. Thus, they should rightly be considered a funny sort of Humanism that was founded by a Satanist who, for whatever personal reasons, recounted his pact with Satan and denied His existence. There are also those who, while calling themselves Satanists, wish to distinguish themselves from those who call themselves Devil Worshipers. Why? They feel that, while they worship a Deity who is referred to as the Devil under every conceivable circumstance, they are different from Devil Worshipers in some very specific way. This mindset is mostly inspired by the need to feel more important or more justified than others, which, in itself, is a perfectly natural and correct way to feel. (For instance, I feel very strongly that I am an all-powerful god-thing compared to most of you mouth-breathers who will read this. Is that wrong? Absolutely not! You should feel the same way about me.) Pride is not, however, the only factor to be considered. From what I understand of the rationalization provided is that they believe that a Devil Worshiper is one who devotes himself to the undertakings of absolute Evil and depravity, or that they submit themselves unquestioningly to the whim of Satan and repress their individual will. The prior is right on the money once one has considered where the definitions of Evil and depravity came from. Those of us who entertain ourselves with riotous bouts of orgiastic revelry, feasting, dancing, and reaching a pleasant state of intoxication would all be considered very Evil indeed. I masturbate frequently, and that alone is enough to secure me a place amongst those who wallow in depravity! Evil is a term that is used to represent the opposite of Good, which is a term used to represent those who follow the laws of Jehova. I am proud to say that I am Evil. Very Evil. As for killing babies and murdering people, to indulge in those Evils would, even if you wanted to, be a very stupid move in the world in which we currently live. In any world, ever. You get whatŐs coming to you. The later, that a Devil Worshiper submits completely to SatanŐs will above their own, is an interesting point to contemplate. What, exactly, is the will of Satan? It is the common belief of all Satanists that the point of Man on earth is to fulfill his Freewill, a gift given to us by Satan. So the will of Satan is that His followers live their lives according to their own will. Well, it would be difficult indeed to submit to SatanŐs will AND disobey Him simultaneously, wouldnŐt it? Another point in which they feel they should distinguish themselves is on the matter of Jehova. Some Satanists believe that, in the beginning, Jehova created everything and Satan was cast from Heaven and now seeks to over throw Jehova. Others believe that Satan is the real Ultimate Deity and that Jehova is an upstart storm-god who has a penchant for trying to mislead the minds of Men. Then there are some who, for whatever reason, believe that Jehova and Satan are the same being and why-canŐt-we-all-just-get-along nonsense. First and foremost: If you believe that Jehova and Satan are integrated pieces of the same super-cosmic being, I think that you are mentally retarded and should be IMMEDIATELY killed and replaced with a toaster that matches the dŽcor of your home. If you really, honestly, believe that the same being who inspired the Bible and brought death, destruction, and hideous torture to countless of SatanŐs followers is actually Satan under a different name, then you are a repulsive disgrace to the Satanic religion and I personally hope that you are skinned alive and thrown still-breathing into a vat of boiling pig vomit! Of course, you do have the right to your own opinion (however stupid), but that does not make you correct, nor does it obligate me to not consider you a wretched vermin for having such an opinion. The religion of Satanism is fundamentally different from Paganism because of its most recognizable feature; the rejection, hatred, and opposition of Jehova and his idiotically self-destructive followers. Simply because you live by your True Will and are free from the moral handicaps leveled upon us by the Judeo-Christian nuts does not make you a Satanist! Our lifestyle, our mindset, and our Deity are constantly under attack by the followers of Jehova. Our world is choked with his churches, raped by his priests, and filled with his cronies. The reason that almost nothing at all is known about the ancient religions of our forefathers is because of Jehova and his followers. They declared war, and they are fighting it to this very moment. You cannot be a follower of Satan and not fight His enemy. You cannot love your Father and coddle His attackers like innocents. You cannot serve Hell and refuse to do battle with the horrors of Heaven. In short, those who take a lax stance on Jehova and his followers are cowards at best, infidels at worst. You were not commanded to worship Satan. You were not forced to sign the Unholy Pact with the blood from your heart. You were not bullied into accepting His teachings and statutes. You volunteered yourself as a soldier in the battle for Earth and Humanity. You stood up, of your own Free Will, to defend that which was given to you out of Love. You held high your sword and swore the Oath to Hell and to Satan out of Love, Gratitude, and the desire to serve the TRUE KING OF EARTH! You are a Man or Woman of the Legions of Hell, and that makes you a Satanist. Because you war against the enemies of Mankind, because you live by the Law, and because you worship the Devil. What makes a Man or Woman into a Satanist? The answer is simple and wonderful; Satan, our Dark Lord. Satan exists literally, regardless of what you may wish to believe about Him. His presence and power can be felt at any time, anywhere. He speaks to His loyal followers in dreams and visions, He answers our prayers and bestows His miracles upon those whom He has deemed worthy. Those who oppose Him will be destroyed, utterly and without mercy. (This means Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and any other followers a White-Light, self-repressive monstrosity!) There are no exceptions to this! Those who have chosen to dedicate themselves to His service will be rewarded for their loyalty and devotion, I know this for fact. Those who break their pact with Him or do not trust in Him when faced with temptation will fall and be forgotten, or worse. The strong and the faithful shall rule, the slaves and the weak shall serve. That is the perfect Law of the world. Those who seek to sugarcoat this or to impose an amount of political correctness are only attempting to justify their own shortcomings. I have no pity for them. You get whatŐs coming to you, and when you die unsatisfied and writhing in misery, youŐll understand what I mean. We will all meet our Master in Hell. Hail Satan ~Brother Erebus END