Dark Matter
Satanic Readings : Theistic or Traditional Satanism
Information on Satanic beliefs. Articles, comments, links, recommended books, and more.

On Satanism as a sub-culture phenomenon.

Satanism is primarily a sub-culture phenomenon. The idea that Satanism is evil, rebellious, and contrary to decent, normal behavior is being exploited by money makers, record producers, film makers, newspapers, etc., and a lot of people - including most self-proclaimed Satanists - are more than willing to let themselves be fooled by such commercial gimmicks and trickery. The evilness, the rebellion, and the wickedness of it all is what attracts them, not because they are evil people, but because they feel a need to assert themselves, to somehow make themselves more visible. Most such Satanists are young people, and they will eventually grow out of it. Some members of sub-cultures, I believe, share the need for self-assertion, and so they are more receptive.

Satanism, however, has nothing to do with how you dress. It has nothing to do with music, and it has nothing to do with getting your parents' attention. I consider the fact that Satanism now to such a high degree is associated with sub-culture attitudes and visibility to be a major problem. We do not need any more Marilyn Manson fans, or 18 year old loners who like to refer to themselves as reverends. We need to target university students, and we need to target scholars and scientists. We need to target Mr. and Mrs. Smith. What these people need more than anything - what they will expect, and what we ought to be able to provide - is security. They need to feel that they're in a safe environment, that they will not be outed, and that they will not in any way come to look suspicious. They need to feel that they're among peers. For this reason it is essential that we do our best to establish such an environment; one that is safe, and one that is for all.