There exists a fundamental problem with religion that the reasoning mind cannot ignore. Religion does not evolve. Science, the antithesis of religion, changes overtime, and is open to being corrected, updated, and even completely revised. Religion, once it is established, is set in stone. This is a comfort for some, but for the reasoning mind, this is a standard which is too flawed to accept. Look at the plight of the Christians, forever waiting for the prophesized return of Jesus of Nazareth, forever being denied. How do they cope with the dogma of total infallibility in the Word of God when the Bible is clearly proven to be in error? If they accept the error, they commit heresy, and if they deny the error, the commit insanity. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with most of the basic tenants of their religion; it may be a bit unrealistic, but I cannot deny that the world would be a better place if we all really could learn to “love our neighbor”, or “honor our mother and father”. It is the stoic dogma, the inflexibility that kills this or any other religion in the reasoning mind.

Satanism, my Satanism, is different. This is a religion in which the individual decides what is true and what is not. It is a religion that seeks truth through reason, and is not bogged down by dogma or mythology. We do look to mythology, but not in the terms of allegory, but rather for clues about history. Religion has goals which are mirrored by science; the search for truth, the increase of understanding. Satanism is, or should be, the religion to embrace this ideal. It seems though, that for many, Satanism is a religion just as stoic, dogmatic, and inflexible as any other.

For me, religion provides a set of behavioral standards which, if the person agrees with those standards, should lead to an improvement in their lifestyle and contentment with the nature of reality. Religion is meant to be a comfort, just as is science. The truth and understanding leads to making life better and being content. We should not be left with doubt, and not troubled by why without the ability to seek answers. Satanism, my Satanism, provides these standards and the ability to seek those answers. Still, some would insist on telling me what I believe, or should believe.

My early understanding of Satanism came at first from the works of LaVey; however, even my initial impressions left me doubting the man behind the work. LaVey described a Satanism which urged everyone to claim responsibility for their thoughts and their lives, to question all things and authority, and to make sure that the truth you believed was the truth you discovered through your own experience. His organization and his later works contradicted these ideals; Satanism became through LaVey a club for joiners, not a faith for leaders and thinkers. This does not mean that the works of LaVey do not have merit, or that those who take those ideals as a part of their foundation in Satanism should be dismissed. Rather, if they truly follow the initial edicts of LaVey’s Satanism, they will reject any attempt to classify them as LaVey Satanists, they will be open to new ideas, and they will refuse to submit to anyone’s authority based on authority alone.

My Satanism is not LaVey Satanism. It is not “modern” Satanism. I have experienced the power of magick that LaVey both embraced and denied, depending on his mood or motivation. I believe in the possibility of the paranormal, and REASON that an after-life and creative force must exist in the universe. LaVey Satanists deny all these things, calling such ideas a crutch for the weak willed. The fact that I know these things, that the evidence of my experience leads to these conclusions, is of no merit to them.

I have studied the mythology, and concluded that certain stories hint at a hidden history of our spiritual existence. However, I refuse to accept these at face value as well. The Bible, for example, is a poor choice of documents for anyone, especially a Satanist, to base their faith upon. It is a good lie in that it is sprinkled with truth, but over all it is a lie. I believe that the myths of the Fall, and the myths of Creation, hint at the truth, but then skew the perspective from which these truths might be understood. I cannot, for example, accept the idea that a being who rejected the yoke of another would then demand worshippers and slaves for himself! No, Satan, my Satan, would have my allegiance and respect, and would earn it as I would, through appealing to reason and providing for those loyal to him. But, even in this, I go too far. Satan, for me, IS. There is no need for mythology, the universe is evidence of this creative force, which I understand AS Satan!

The “Traditional” view-point suggests that the Bible reflects an accurate description of the facts from the perspective of an enemy. I say no! To give this idea merit would be to validate a religion which is weak and without merit! It lacks reason. The stories of the Bible can only do what any other mythology does, hint at truth. To make an enemy of Christianity and their God implies that they have a power which I need to resist and eliminate, when in fact I feel they are little more than an irritant. Satanism, my Satanism, says to simply BE, without remorse and with joy. I know a spiritual entity which I recognize as Satan, but my Satan is many things to many people. My Satan is what a person needs when the chips are down and delusions have to give way to reason. My Satan is evident when a person’s back is against the wall, and they find themselves urged to the proper response. For understanding of Satan, I look to all religions, all mythologies, and seek the truth in the center of it all.

I know I am a part of a larger whole; that through me, Satan, the creative force of the universe, is expressed. When I am as I will to be, then I act as Satan, in harmony with the universal urge. That urge is to evolve, to grow through reason, to seek out understanding as to become a clearer part of that whole. Why then do I call this “Satan”? It is simply a word. The word implies an idea; a thing that creates, a radical equation, a new idea, a fresh perspective, strength, a refusal to submit, and drive to question, a demand for reason, a will to enjoy what one has, an urge to take pleasure in who you are. These things are considered “of Satan” by our society, and thus the word fits my understanding of that creative force.

My Satanism is my Satanism. It is a personal experience. I make no attempt to foist it on another, as I know such an attempt should and would fail as miserably as if it were attempted on me. Another may understand as I do, and reach the conclusions I have, but to submit to my beliefs and to follow me is to fail in what I believe in. When, however, a person truly grasps Satanism in that they have defined Satanism for themselves, then I have found a person from whom I can learn, for they are a part of the same whole, but with a perspective new and unique to my own. They will have something to teach me about Satan, and through that, myself.

My religion, Satanism, evolves. It becomes something more with each new Satanist who experiences it.