Ms. Aude Leblanc is a Satanist who resides in Québec. She welcomes your comments and questions regarding this interview, which you may send to this website, and they'll be forwarded to her. Enjoy the interview.
CAINE: What initially attracted you to Satanism?
LEBLANC: I don't exactly remember when or how I discovered that Satanism existed. But I do remember that, after reading about Satanism and its priciples on the Church Of Satan website, I immediately told myself: "Wow, this is so true." I am an atheist, to start with, and religion never made much sense to me. When I read about the Nine Satanic Sins, the Eleven Rules of the Earth, and the Nine Satanic Statements, it struck me clearly that I already used these principles in my life without knowing about it, which had only seemed like common sense to me. But seeing it worded made me realise how much sense it made. It's so free. That appealed to me.
CAINE: Do you view Satanism as more of a religion or a secular philosophy?
LEBLANC: I view Satanism more as a secular philosophy; that's the way I live it. However, many people consider it a religion. I live the principles, that's what I would call a philosophy. Lots of people have to call it a religion. I think certain people want to set their own boundaries, which is great if it works for them. I mean, call it a religion, or a philosophy, if you will, but it won't change what it is. I think religion implies 'organisation'. But mind you, the word 'religion' in itself can imply many things.
I know people who view Satanism as a religion. The deity they worship: themselves. Their rituals: indulging in a bubble bath, watching their favourite movie, etc. I still think it's the same thing.
CAINE: What are some of the most common misconceptions about Satanism?
LEBLANC: Well, for one, there's this nasty stereotype that many people seem to hold dear to their heart, and it's difficult to make them drop it. That's the devil worship part. Of course, some Satanists do worship the devil. There is no denying this. It's a personal choice, but most Satanists aren't into devil worship. Many Satanists are, contrary to popular belief, atheists. Thus, I don't even believe in the existence of the Christian devil. Satan is considered to be the Christian devil, but has Pagan origins. It's the vital energy of everyone. It isn't a spiritual being.
Many uninformed people think that Satanists are boozed-up orgy-goers. Sure, the idea is entertaining, but it's also false. It isn't very wise to cloud your mind, and many, if not most, Satanists have realised this. Satanists believe our lives are short, and considering we only have one life to live, we might as well live it the way we want and indulge in every moment. Of course, it's fundamental to take responsibility over your actions. Those are two very important parts of Satanism.
Here's another: many people seem to think Satanism is a cult of insatiable blood drinkers who take part in ritual murders. That's also false. Satanism advocates the respect of life.
We don't sacrifice animals, burn goats alive, or tear infants apart to eat them raw. As I've already said, Satanism advocates the respect of life. What's more, children and animals are the purest form of life. It would never cross my mind to harm either.
The vast majority of people who have these misconceptions are Christians. Indeed, most don't really know what Satanism is about, and really is, so they believe what the church told them in the past. Priests in the Middle Ages scared the people with stories of demons, and witches, and Satanists. Stories about incubi, succubi, sleeping with the devil, killing children...but there never were such cults, as they were the invention of priests who wanted to keep their followers quiet and obedient. It's sad that this erronous belief is still persistent. You would have thought people would actually research what they are told rather than accept it blindly, now that our societies have access to an even more vast array of knowledge than in the past. But I know there are, happily enough, exceptions.
CAINE: Is Satanism something of a youth-centered religion, or are there increasing numbers of older members?
LEBLANC: Satanism attracts a number of people, both young and old. The members that are the founding pillars of the Church Of Satan, the first members, well, they are older than I am; that goes without saying.
Many young people have had their heads filled with false rumours and misconceptions about Satanism, and have it in their heart that they are rebels. They want to shock. Perhaps they think that saying Christian prayers backwards, re-baptising each other with twisted Latin names, worshipping the Christian devil, wearing big black pants, and using 'SatanLuvsMe666' as a screen name is particularly shocking, evil, and Satanic. These people are quickly disappointed.
But, there are other people who are just curious, both young and old, who discover Satanism and find out that it suits them. I'd say that deciding you are a Satanist requires mature thought, and not just "Yay, I'm an evil, evil Satanist, and the church people are going to die when I tell them! But I'm still going to go to church with my parents, because they're Christian and I don't have the balls to tell them I digress with their faith, but I'll make an altar in my basement when they aren't looking!"
Both young and old people can be idiotic, cretinous, and immature, but both young and old can also be logical, coherent, and wise. I cannot say for sure, however, the average age of members.
CAINE: What do you see for the future of Satanism? Do you feel that it's a growing, thriving religion?
LEBLANC: I think we are growing. We have not yet reached our full potential; the era will come soon, but one thing's for sure: Satanism is not dead. We Satanists are becoming more open. We do not have to hide.
Our major concern, in the process, will be battling prejudice.
Satanic Abuse Rituals (SAR), my ass! People say that this sort of crime kills 60,000 people in Canada every year. That's more deaths than the people dying from tobacco abuse! If that were even true, it would be the main cause of death in Canada and the United States. Frankly, where I live, there aren't that many homicides. How much time would that so-called SAR take to wipe out the whole population without anybody noticing? Hello, it's time for a major wake-up call!
So many rumours were invented to silence us, to make us disapear, and appear like depraved beasts and criminals. But we will quash these rumours. There is educating that needs to be done. In schools, teachers tell children about different faiths, cultures, ways of life. When was the last time a kid learned something about Satanism at school? Did it even ever occur? Satanism isn't a cult!
When the truth is told, people will be able to pick their stand. Whether they believe Satanists (and anybody who doesn't follow the mainstream, for that matter) are homicidal maniacs and represent a danger to society, or whether they don't, is up to them. But we will be able to sift through them. Open-mindness and lucidity will be key instruments. Progress will be reached when people choose to listen. And that does not only go for Satanism, but also for all the non-conformist ideas.
This is not a conversion campaign; it's just that it would be sad to see a whole world go to waste when there is so much unexploited potential. Something has to be done before everybody is "idiotized" by popular culture, the lack of education, and their religion.
When I say 'religion', I do not mean to say that all religion is bad. It becomes bad when you lose the power and will to think for yourself, to listen to other sources and possibly learn of different ways of life. It's bad when a country involves it into politics. That's called a theocracy. It makes no sense in evolved countries where people say they like diversity. What diversity? Theirs? Religion's also bad when you are convinced that giving money to the church will help save your soul, help your deity, or assure you of a better place in the afterlife. If American churches were taxed, the United States would have an economic boom. Where I live, many (if not most) churches aren't used anymore. The government uses tax money to restore them, sometimes, because somehow, it's our heritage, as the Catholic religion has been omnipresent in Québec since its foundation, and until the Sixties.
As I was previously saying, we are more in the open now than ever before, and it isn't over yet, far from it. We are nowhere near the end. Satanism is strong; it endures. And it will eventually triumph over mediocrity.
CAINE: Are there any current trends in Satanism that you dislike?
LEBLANC: Well, not really.
First of all, I wouldn't really know of many trends, if any. And, secondly, well, I can't really say I care.
What does annoy me is the 'wannabe evil teenies', who have no clue as of what Satanism is, and don't care to know--the kind of people who revel in their ignorance, and brag about being Satanists, and using it as a motive to be jerks. There are many such people, as of late. I don't think it could be called a trend, though. I hope there never will be that many imbeciles to justify the name of 'trend'... I just hope these people grow up. Satanism isn't in need of getting a bad reputation when it's growing out of it. People have to assume their own actions. They are responsible for themselves, not anyone else. Is that so hard to get?
For the rest, however, well, that's up to each individual's taste. Whatever goes for you is great, and it'll make me feel happy for you as long as everyone's rights are respected, as I've previously said in the next question (that's really what I mean; my English grammar and syntax are not to blame).
CAINE: Most people realize that the vast majority of Satanists don't actually worship a literal devil. But there is a minority that does actually embrace the idea of the devil. What's your opinion on this?
LEBLANC: Of course, some people worship the Christian devil and believe in it. There are different orders of Satanism. For example, Setianism isn't affiliated with the Church Of Satan, but it's still Satanism. It's just different. They worship Set and Kali. Good for them, if it makes them happy and nobody's injured in the process. I don't have my say in that.
Some LaVey Satanists do worship the devil. I don't. I think Anton Szandor LaVey wrote what he wrote, and that everyone is free to use his principles as he/she sees fit. I mean, you only have one life, so you might as well be happy and do what you will, devil worship or not. I have no qualms as to what other people do, as long as they're happy and nobody suffers. It's their business, they do like they please, why would I interfere with that?
So, basically, my opinion is that I don't really mind. Whatever floats everyone's boat... so long as the happiness of every individual makes up for a better world.
CAINE: Do you feel that you've become a stronger person after having become a Satanist?
LEBLANC: In all honesty, I don't feel that I have changed. As I have previously explained, I didn't change my ways to "become" a Satanist. I just recognised some of my views in it, and I dug deeper. I liked what I found.
What did happen, however, was to see that some of my views were shared by other people, which gave me more confidence. I am not alone in thinking like I do. Of course, I could be wrong (who knows, really?), but I am satisfied. It confirms my beliefs, and I now stand more firmly for what I am, and what I believe in.
In a fashion, yes, it made me stronger. It made me prouder of what I am. And don't get me wrong, when I found out about Satanism, I wasn't exactly low on self-esteem, either. Let's just say it gave me a "boost", if you will.
CAINE: As a Satanist, how do you feel about mainstream organized religion?
LEBLANC: Where I live, religion has lost most of its importance. It is significant, for most, in historical value; therefore, it never really had any influence on my life, nor any impact. I have quite a few Christian friends. Their religion doesn't bother me. Their religion isn't the moral basis of my country; it isn't a dogma they force down my throat. Fanatics come in fewer numbers here. I respect their beliefs (Hell, it's their choice; I have no say in that), and they respect mine. Respecting each other makes us be friends.
I had no problem whatsoever with religion until I started getting in touch with Anglophones, especially Americans (again, that is some, because I have also met very nice religious and non-religious people everywhere, but most of the fanatics I had news from were American). Their religion, which is the same as my friends', is a problem to me. They shove their beliefs down my throat, condemn my "poor little lost soul" to the deepest pits of Hell, preach their heads off--despite the fact they know I am very far from being interested--and think their country ought to be a theocracy, where their religion is the dominating one. They force their deity unto me, judge me, insult me, say they will pray for me, hate me because I think differently from them...and that's before telling them I am a Satanist. That's only when they find out I'm an atheist.
When they do know I am a Satanist, these people will often accuse me of committing crimes, opening up pregnant ladies, and so forth, and so forth.
When your religion makes you stop thinking for yourself, when it encourages you to hate all diversity, when it prefers to judge rather than talk, when it condones violence as a way of purifying the world, when it makes you think you are the only one that can be right, when it asks you to preach your merry ass off and be so self-righteous, quick in judging and condemning, when it convinces you that you need to finance your church in order to be a better person, and therefore be in a better position in your afterlife, then I have a problem with it.
People are free to believe what they will, but shouldn't bother others with it, unless asked. I wouldn't randomly e-mail someone to tell them they can be happier if they are Satanists. Yet, various religious people, mostly (if not all) Christians, have felt the need to promote their religion to me. The only thing such messages succeed to trigger in me is irritation.
In short, do what you want, but don't be a bother to me or anyone else.
CAINE: Anton LaVey aside, who are some influential figures in modern-day Satanism?
LEBLANC: "Influential figures" is, I'm afraid, not a good way of phrasing it. The thing with Satanism is that you can't say "Satanists like this person and hate that other one", because it's not true. Because Satanism is an individualistic philosophy, each person sees things by his or her own bias, and would have a different answer to the question.
For the ones who are official members of the Church of Satan, it could be its leaders, Magus Peter H. Gilmore, High Priest, Magistra Peggy Nadramia, High Priestess, and Magistra Blanche Barton, Magistra Templi Rex.
For others, it might be some Satanic music bands.
People choose who they listen to, who they take their advice from.
I think, for my part, that the Church of Satan, including Anton Szandor LaVey, is the most influential figure in modern-day Satanism, but the cultural scene (artists, musicians, publishers, etc.) is non neglectable, either.
CAINE: How important has the Internet been for Satanic networking? Outside of online contacts, is it difficult to meet other Satanists?
LEBLANC: Indeed, it's extremely difficult to get in contact with other Satanists, on my part, in any case, as Satanism is more about individuality than otherwise. Of course there are grottos for those who want to do rituals and what not, but the fact is: you don't become a Satanist for the friendly associations and group parties. It's not about meeting new people, it's about being good to yourself.
But of course you can get together with other Satanists, and do what you please. It is nice to meet someone sharing your views, it really is. But truthfully, I'd consider myself really lucky if I found another Satanist in my area, and even then, we might not even get along. What I mean to say is that, by our different perceptions, we have different ways of viewing and applying principles, and that's how it's supposed to be. That's why it's individual.
So, basically, to me, the Internet has been very benefic for getting to know other Satanists.
CAINE: What would you like to tell the general public about Satanism?
LEBLANC: Don't lend your ears to misconceptions, and don't let yourselves fall into stupidity, which is horrible. Don't waste your potential, if you have one. Never allow anyone to brainwash you and make you believe the things they want. Do your research for yourself, think for yourself. Be your own god, be happy, be free. Everyone is his or her own god, and everyone is free to square with it or not. Remember, you only have one life, so you might as well make it the best you can, and indulge in every moment. Make the most of what you have.