Satanism
The occult is on the rise; many young people are seeking their spiritual identity through Satanism. Satanism has become an issue of great concern in our society. It is a phenomenon that crosses the city limits into the rural areas of our nation. Satanism is not just a big city problem. The news wires carry story after story about young children being kidnapped, only to be found later as victims of some bizarre ritualistic crime. This paper will analyze and will come to a conclusion to the most frequently asked question “What makes a person to convert his/her religion to Satanism?” To do so, this paper will examine the following areas: Effects of Satanism on our youth and society, does power attracts young people to become a Satanist? And is music a factor in changing one’s religion to Satanism?
As satanic involvement among our youth increases, we begin to see the primary goal of such activity. It has become clear, according to the data so far analyzed by those who investigate satanic involvement, that the primary goal is to alter people's values and turn them against themselves, their beliefs, family, God, and society. C. S. Lewis, a famous English writer, in his book Screwtape Letters, says this about Satan:
There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe and to feel an unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.
The term occult means "hidden" or those things or teachings that are "unknown" or secret. This might build some interest or curiosity in some people who want to know what these things are. The occult is the seeking knowledge of unknown information, knowledge that is gained beyond the five senses. Therefore, it is believed that this knowledge is received by some supernatural involvement or connection. Anton LaVey of the First Church of Satan in San Francisco, California, says that:
Satanism is a blatantly selfish, brutal religion. It is based on the belief that man is inherently a selfish, violent creature... that the earth will be ruled by those who fight to win.
Young Satanists believe that the strong will rule with Satan. Once they are sufficiently involved, they often make a deal with Satan. They commit themselves to a future...
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... acceptable in a civilized society.
In conclusion, after examining the three focus areas i.e. the effects of Satanism on our youth and society, does power attracts young people to become Satanists and if music is one of the factor in changing one’s religion into Satanism. I have reached the conclusion that there are a lot of others things besides the one mentioned above, that can force a person to change his/her religion to Satanism, which includes lack of social skills, physical or emotional abusing, media/music, obsession with power, etc.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Book Sources
Cavendish, Richard. The Black Arts, London, Pan Books Ltd, 1967.
Kahaner, Larry. Cults that kill, San Francisco, Warner Prints, 1994.
LaVey, Anton Szandor. The Satanic Rituals, New York, Avon Books, 1972.
Marron, Kevin. Ritual Abuse, Canada, McClelland-Bantam, Inc., 1989.
Internet Sources
Lavey, Anton. “Church of Satan”, http://www.churchofsatan.com,
(January 8th, 2004)
“Satanism”, April 1999, http://www.dpjs.co.uk/, (January 8th, 2004)
“Satanism Exposed”, http://www.exposingsatanism.com, (january8th, 2004)
“Satanism”, http://altreligion.about.com/cs/satanism/, (January8th, 2004)
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