excerpts from an exchange with another Satanist ----------------------------------------------- rigidity and exclusivity of belief appear to be disregarded by many indSatanists. that is, indSatanists have opinions and ideas, but are less often wedded to them and typically don't seem to make these the crux-point of their Satanic practices where such exist. that is also the case amongst *some* orgSatanists, yet the danger is more prevalent within the orgs for dogmatic cultism. the independent is more often engaged in illegal activities. orgSatanists, despite *practicing* illegal things privately, will *say* that they are not about this. I want to be more honest about indSatanism and not worry too much about what sort of 'ammunition' might be given to my detractors. witchhunts aren't given ammunition by virtue of honest expression about one's religion. usually they derive their ammo from false assertions and projections atop that which *appears to be similar* but is actually not in the least. I agree that a comment of this sort is possibly used to substantiate their persecution of independent minority religious, but if it is true, then I'd rather say it than react to this threat, which is precisely the motive behind the condemnation in the first place. by mentioning that some Satanists have different values as regards certain illegal activities (such as sex, psychoactives and sacrifice), this in no way makes the categorical connection of any religious cultus and crime. within a variety of political atmospheres ANY religion would include criminal activity (consider domination by Communism in which the phenomenon and practice of religion itself is outlawed). the link between crime and religion depends upon the nature of the legal system in which it appears and the type of religion which we are discussing. in the case of Satanism (especially what I would call 'pure currents'), it more and more often comes into direct conflict with puritanical laws and those which contradict its typical hedonistic materialism. Satanic groups more often inspire conformity to socialized norms, and the independent is the Front Line of Innovation where Satanism is concerned, despite its possible shallow depth or duration. I'm really describing something similar to the 'front line of a battlefield', which has fodder-militia at its head reflected upon by a current some measure of distance to its rear. the fodder come and go, but the current-fashioners in some measure take these visceral and real expressions of Satanism into account in their fabrications. I am precisely one of these 'Asshole Satanists', yet I'm dragging it out and deepening it for the purposes of revenge and possible co-option to the cause of Satan. nocTifer tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com