Cultural Satanism
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Satanism is the idea that something is Satanic in nature according to Christian doctrine, even if it not factually accurate. The idea of what Satanism entails is based primarily on Christian beliefs, and could be called "Christian Satanism" for this reason. It exists as a disorganised group of ideas held by people of varying religions, often Christian.
The idea of Satanism held by Christian and contemporary Pagan groups differs greatly from existing "Satanic" groups such as LaVeyan Satanism. Little reference is actually made to their beliefs.
More often, the perception of Satanism by Christians and Pagans is "that which is opposed to Christianity." Simplistically, Satanism is the "evil" to the Christian "good." For this reason, a large number of cultural ideas and beliefs have been called Satanic for running counter to Christian beliefs.
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[edit] Beliefs about Satanism
In the context of this article, Satanism is not a religious doctrine, but a set of ideas, memes, or misconceptions found in society and culture. lll Shared with ideas include Satan as a malignant deity, a literal Hell of fire and eternal damnation, and an opposition to God, Jews and Christians. Imagery includes Satan as a Satyr or goat-like figure, with a tail, horns and cloven hooves, or demons with a similar appearance. Flames, pentagrams, inverted crosses, 666 and a red-black colour scheme are often present.
Ideas about the practices of Satanism include ritual human sacrifice, animal sacrifice, occult ritual, secret practices, secret societies and memberships, numerology and occult imagery, worship of Satan or other deities, practice of black magic, sodomy, cannabilism, sex rituals,torture, chanting, black robes,incest and bonfires. , There has been little evidence of Satanic cults existing, aside from claims in some Christian books and videos meant to expose or reveal Satan worship in society. Many people claim that lots of the Traditional Satanist came here from the British-Isle, Germany and France during 1600s-1700s for religious freedom, plus the fact that traditional satanist will rather live in rural areas.
[edit] Historical accusations of Satanism
Needs information on Pagan religions accused of Satanism, Pagan deities that have become demonised, and persecution of other religions based on running counter to Christian beliefs (Sumerian Pazuzu, European Mithrias, Muslim Iblis, Celtic Hern, South American Barron Samedi)
The most common image of Satan (at least in the majority of European countries; including Northern America, Cannada, Australia and other colonies) is one of a man with a goat's legs and horns. This image in most cases has been created by the early Christians trying to demonise the early gods. Examples of this are Pan, son of Hermes and Greek god of the mountainside (the word panic comes from his ability to cause fear when he blew his conch, e.g. this supposedly caused the Persians to flee during the Athenian victory at Marathon in 480BC). Many Celtic gods resembled Pan, such as Cernunnos (whose name in fact means "horned one"), Herne the hunter, the Welsh Caerwiden and even the Paleolithic cave painting "the Sorcerer", in the Cave of the Three Brothers, France.
The demonisation of pre-existing gods was one of main focuses of the early Christian church, and as such most of the early animal or non-human gods were demonised, so many references to demonolgy can be found while examining early gods, especially early European ones.
[edit] Art and the spread of popular ideas
Medieval and Renaissance paintings offer a visualisation of demons, the devil and Hell. Demons are often monstrous beings with wings and horns, bent on tempting mortals and guiding the misfortunes of humanity.
Written works such as Dante's The Divine Comedy establish a landscape of Hell, with a descriptive demonology.
The ideas of demons and Hell continue into the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Films and television portray Hell as red and fiery, Satan as red-skinned and horned, and demons as evil beings with wings and grotesque features.
From traditional and modern artwork, the visual ideas of Hell are readily associated in mainstream culture. These common themes become a motif in popular culture, using the same visual associations used since medieval and renaissance artwork.
The devil can be represented as the negative or selfish side of the conscience, opposed by the angelic or "good" side. Often the caricature of the Devil is not so much evil as playful, such as sports mascots or cartoon characters; here the devil is a trickster. The devil can also represent a misbehaving or "naughty" nature seen in popular art, such as tattoos, comics or anime.
[edit] Culture as Satanic
One can base popular culture as Satanic by using personal and religious beliefs, and argument from ignorance. In this case, some aspect of culture runs counter to personal beliefs, and becomes opposed to those beliefs in the person's view. By associating the idea of "magic" with "Satanism", one can accuse any fictional work dealing with magic as "Satanic".
Furthermore, the belief in demons controlling or tempting humans could lead one to see popular culture as a temptation away from Christianity, and therefore Satanic, especially if it deals with violence, sexual promiscuity, or other "immoral behaviours." This can apply to mainstream music, visual media, etc.
Fictional works that deal with religion can often be labelled in this manner, such as The Satanic Verses. Without reading the book, one could easily assume that it promotes Satanism. Any artistic work that denounces Christianity or provides a conflicting view could be seen as sinful, and therefore Satanic.
Corporations can be seen as Satanic if they have any negatively viewed practices, are secretive, or have logos and symbols that coincide with perceptions of Satanism. The logo of Procter & Gamble was seen as Satanic for coinciding with a biblical passage.
[edit] Government and Religion as Satanic
Satanism fits into several conspiracy theories, often accusing government figures of worshipping Satan or being involved in Satanic practice. This often occurs when the government is being vilified for its actions by others. For example, many Islamic countries label the United States as "The Great Satan", and some may believe that the United States is actually controlled by Satan or is full of Satan worshippers. Many conservative Christans in America also believe that the United States have a secret Satanic Agenda blamming the United Nations,Hollywood,Scientology,Freemasonry,as well as the Leftwing- Media believing the fact that most of these people have know idea what their affiliation stands for and they are simply brainwashed by the very powerful and secret Satanic Society of America.
Westerners can also view any opposing government as Satanic in nature, for example, if Muslims are a direct opposition to Christianity, then they are followers of Satan. In some Christian eschatology, the Middle-East is labelled as Gog or Magog, destined to lead the world into and battle between good and evil according to Revelations.
Secret societies are often considered Satanic in nature, such as Freemasons and the Skull & Bones. Conspiracy theorists try to establish links to these societies and Satanism with iconography and numerology. The Protocols of the Elders of Zion posits that Jews are Satan worshippers, though this is illogical.
Accusing others of Satanism is a form of vilification, often without hard evidence or data, since any evidence would be "secret" or "hidden". Ultimately it is no different from calling someone "evil" for having differing beliefs.
[edit] Youthful Satanism
Juveniles who feel a need for rebellion may turn to practices which are not religiously Satanic, but use common ideas of rebelling against Christian beliefs.
Police Captain Randy Johnson writes:
"What's a Christian Satanist? I would describe them as people who have been raised in the Christian tradition. They believe the principles and tenets of Christianity (they accept the Christian teleological explanation of the universe), but they choose to worship the figure of Satan rather than Christ. They call themselves Satanists, but they have little to nothing in common with followers of LaVey's Church of Satan, or any other group of proclaimed Satanists. What's the difference? The primary motivation of the Christian Satanist is rebellion. They make up their worship as they go along."
"The myths of demonology and Satanism have been spread by fundamentalist Christian groups throughout the centuries. The Salem witch hunts and Spanish Inquisition are the most familiar examples of Christian fervor to brand anything different from itself as Satanism. Extreme Christian groups have shown throughout history to use scare-tactics to keep their followers in line. Satan has also often been the scapegoat for those who stepped out of line, i.e. "the devil made me do it."
"These youths are usually about 10 to 16 years of age. They get their information from friends, certain kinds of music, books, movies, videos, and television. Crimes they might commit would be: vandalizing a stop sign, smashing a tombstone, breaking into a church and stealing something, or ripping up a Bible. Approximately 8% of all high school age children go through this phase of living on the "darker side of life." An increasing number of junior high and elementary age kids are dabbling as well, but most young people pass through this phase relatively unaffected. These children are rebelling; they are not religiously motivated. Theatrical Satanism has little organisation to it."
Traditional Christan Satanist is a completely different ideoligy then LaVeys Satanism which is all about worshipping yourself and rejecting everyone else.Traditional Christian Satanist have been around since the middle ages. They are the real deal pure evil.They do exist but are kept to extreme secrecy unless someone goes searching for them and gets curious.
[edit] Satanic media
The use of Satanic imagery can be used for "shock value" by teenagers, especially in a conservative Christian society, where inverted crosses would offend a great number of people. Media that promotes Satanic themes often exist as an outlet for rebellion among teenagers and adults. Dark or "forbidden" themes may provide a sense of rebellion or individuality. Black metal follows this theme by using verses with Traditional Satanic elements. Tattoo and sticker artists may provide imagery that is supposed to be Satanic, such as flaming pentagrams or inverted crosses.
Books are often sold as Satanic in nature, providing an outlet for those who want to believe in a darker form of amateur mysticism, occultism, or magic. Here Satanism is an actual belief system, and can be associated with LaVeyan Satanism or occultists such as Crowley.
Generally, organised Satanism focuses on a humanist aspect of reality without following Christian beliefs. The name "Satanism" might be considered ironic for being based on a Christian idea, yet rejecting associated Christian beliefs such as Heaven and Hell. From a Christian perspective, the Satanist is being mislead from Christianity either way.
[edit] See also
- Angels and Demons in Art, Rosa Giorgi
- Satanism
