To: The600Club@aol.com (The600Club)
From: tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com (nocTifer)
Subject: Satanisme Independensia
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 18:07:44 -0800 (PST)

49980324 aa2 Hail Satan!
============================================== appended compilation

SATANISME INDEPENDENSIA 

the social oatmeal of the religion of Satanism is lumpy.  
as in other religious movements, congregations of 
individuals gather under the banner of leaders within 
organizations and adhere to the doctrines and practices 
made popular by them and their public expressions.  by 
virtue of the focus on the value of individual 
expression and rebellion in Satanism there is a broader 
spectrum of person among the nonaffiliated.

many have attempted to taxonomize Satanism by its 
constituent interests.  deriving classification-schemes, 
they may fabricate exclusive factions where none 
necessarily exist.  categories such as 'Heavy Metal', 
'Freestyle' and 'Self-styled' are used in an attempt 
to explain away or somehow separate the more rebellious 
and objectionable elements (often adolescent or strongly 
counter-cultural) from those which have more popular 
support from organizations and society.  

the path of independent Satanists is more often derived 
of the angst of alienation and social fragmentation in 
urban culture rather than as a desire to conform or belong.  
loud, anger-filled rock music with apocryphal themes 
(these days termed 'Black/Death Metal') or literature which 
decries the evils of a puritanical (often Christian) society 
are popular sources for inspiration.  groups such as Slayer 
and Bad Religion, authors such as Crowley and LaVey, and graphic 
artists like Giger have been snapped up by solitaries, becoming 
raw material in the fabrication of a diverse and vibrant 
counterculture.

nowhere is the *cause* of involvement with the Satanic 
more clear than in a Christian society.  issues of self-
esteem, values contrary to the social norm, theology of 
wrathful and controversial content become key factors in 
the attention that such involvement is likely to draw.  
the character of the individual who champions such a cause, 
especially in the environment of blatant opposition, is 
likely to be unique regardless of hir specific qualities.

popular concepts (inspired by media or Christian 
teachings) generally play a more prominent role in the 
development of thought and practice of independent 
Satanists than their organized counterparts.  this 
may include illegal activities among the alienated or 
frustrated (e.g. desecration of cemeteries, graffiti 
of popular anti-Christian symbols and slogans, etc.),
yet the independent Satanist is just as likely to be 
concerned as the average citizen about hir freedoms 
which might otherwise be jeopardized by such behavior.

while this sort of popular (and in many cases short-term) 
Satanism may be more common outside organizations which 
retain a continual set of values and doctrines, there is a 
lesser-known and rich history of art which is directly 
associated with Satan (sometimes at first by the surrounding
society in its fear of innovation).  classical and jazz 
musicians as well as many poets and novelists provide a 
backdrop for the unique, often mystical Satanists who tend 
to reside in the shadows of society, gnawing slowly at its 
roots and turning this sweet nectar into the stuff of 
psychosocial and artistic revolution.

artists such as Liszdt, Wagner, Baudelaire, Byron, Milton, 
Goethe and Bosch have created some of the most inspirational 
works, often unknown and unacknowledged for their Satanic 
splendor and sometimes co-opted toward Satanic virtues.  the 
more intellectual and/or mature independent Satanists reflect 
on these in the creation of their own religious rites, doctrines, 
hymns, icons and anthems.  as there is usually no perceived 
'authority' by such individualists, there are few limitations 
to the style and complexity that their expression may include.  
maintaining a consistent or ordinary line of belief is 
therefore at times considered useless.  ideas may range widely, 
from conservative to liberal, scientifically acute to 
passionately artistic, radically political to the staunch 
fundamentalist.

what might serve as a foundation for independent Satanism in 
general is the identification with the figure of Satan as 
heretic, genius, innovator, trailblazer, pioneer, and, often, 
revolutionary.  this type of iconoclastic and inventive force is 
easier to express on one's own than within a group with which 
one is attempting to coordinate.
 
Satan or Lucifer symbolizes an element of rebellion as His 
life-theme, and so too does much of the work of independent 
Satanism integrate or experiment with revolution of thought 
or lifestyle, politics or religion.  innovation, opposition 
to the prevailing norms, and challenge to social taboos are 
commonly found amongst those who take up the independent 
Satanic standard on a long-term basis with some comprehension 
of the rich and diverse history that underlies it.

new organizations, artistic styles, cultural movements, and 
scientific discoveries are sometimes attributed to the genius 
of a person who serves as such a catalyst.  this genius is 
identified by foes and supporters alike, especially in a fearful 
puritanical society, as 'the Promethean or Luciferan spirit', 
'the power of the Prince of Darkness', or, among the devout, 
'Satan's Gift'.  such acclaim and condemnation carries with it 
certain penalties and rewards for those who identify this 
genius within their lives as the inspiration for their works.  
the independent Satanist thus faces both risk and compensation 
for hir religious activities, depending on the maturity of 
the surrounding society and hir tact in bringing these forth.

it is difficult to make generalizations about Satanism of itself, 
let alone those who blaze the trail on their own as independents.  
what makes someone a Satanist is a subject of contention among 
divergent factions within and without the religion, and ultimately 
we are left to assess this based on the actions and words of the
individual hirself.  what might unify or serve as a foundation 
for Satanism generally is inspiration by or identification with 
Satan in some manner one personally finds valuable. in this way
Satan's traditionally independent and willful spirit is perhaps
best reflected by those taking the more solitary route.

nocTifer
tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com 

EOF