Spirit-WWW: NewsGateway Article <news:alt.pagan.210874>
From tyagi@accesscom.com (Tyagi Nagasiva):
Newsgroups: alt.satanism, alt.magick.tyagi, talk.religion.misc, alt.pagan,
Subject: (Z) Independent Satanism
All Follow-Up: Re: (Z) Independent Satanism
Date: 1 Mar 1998 19:58:50 -0500
49980301 aa2 Hail Satan!
To: private email
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 11:24:41 -0700 (PDT)
[two essays on Independent Satanism; first and second draft;
never published, thrown to the winds for your amusement and critique]
SATANISME INDEPENDENCIA (First Draft 10/22/96)
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.
popular concepts (inspired by media or Christian
teachings) 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 (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 for hir freedoms
which might be otherwise jeopardized by such behavior.
nowhere is the *cause* of involvement with the Satanic
more clear than among the solitaries 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.
as the alienation and social fragmentation of urban culture
tend to result in the angst which is associated with
Satanism and its manifestation among individuals, this is
often catalyzed by popular media attuned to this experience.
loud, anger-filled rock music with apocryphal themes (these
days termed 'Black Metal') or literature which decries the
evils of a puritanical (usually Christian) society are popular
sources for this inspiration. groups such as Slayer and
Bad Religion and authors such as Anton LaVey have utilized
the media successfully to reach these (often teenage) people
and provide them with a common subculture.
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. the more intellectual and/or mature solitary
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 such expressions may include.
the popular figure of Satan or Lucifer typically incorporates
an element of rebellion as His life-theme, and so too does
much of the work of solitary 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 history that underlies it,
albeit sporadic and diverse in its manifestation.
new organizations, artistic styles, cultural movements, and
scientific discoveries are sometimes attributed to the genius
of a person who serves as a major catalyst. this genius is
identified by foes and supporters alike, especially in a fearful
puritanical society, as 'the Promethean' or Luciferan spirit',
'the Prince of Darkness', or among the devout, 'Satan'. 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 solitary Satanist
thus faces both risk and compensation for hir religious
activities, depending on the reaction of the surrounding society.
it is difficult to make generalizations about Satanism of itself,
let alone those who blaze the trail on their own as solitaries.
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
particular individual. what might unify or serve as a foundation
for Satanism generally and independent Satanism in particular is
the identification with the figure of Satan in some manner one
finds personally valuable, carrying this into one's life as as a
meaningful element and source of inspiration.
nocTifer (tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com)
EOF
============================================================
To: private email
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 18:58:44 -0800 (PST)
SATANISME INDEPENDENCIA (Second Draft: 01/08/97; First: 10/22/96)
by virtue of the focus on the value of individual
expression and rebellion in Satanism there is a broader
spectrum of among those not affiliated with Satanic
organizations. the path of solitary 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 this inspiration. groups such as
Slayer and Bad Religion, authors such as Shaw, Baudelaire,
Michelet 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, rather
than accepting that which is generated internally by the
less chaotic, and at times more insular, organized groups.
this atmosphere creates a backdrop for the unique, often
mystical and/or political Satanists who may reside in the
shadows of society, gnawing slowly at its roots and turning
the sweet angst-filled nectar into the stuff of psychosocial
and artistic revolution, a more common activity outside
organizations such as promote a set of constant values and
doctrines in support to the integrity of the group.
popular ides (inspired by media or Christian teachings) often
play a more prominent role in the development of thought and
practice of independent Satanists than hir fraternal
counterpart. this may include illegal activities among the
alienated or frustrated (e.g. desecration of cemeteries,
graffiti of popular anti-Christian symbols and slogans, etc.).
the independent Satanist is likely to be just as aware of hir
freedoms which might be jeopardized by such behavior, but she
has no encapsulating organization or group ideology which
inspire hir to conform.
the more intellectual and/or mature solitary reflects on
favored artists in the creation of hir own religious
rites, doctrines, hymns, icons and anthems. unlike the
organized and at times cultish Satanists, she accepts few
if any authorities for hir Satanism beyond hirself, and
therefore does not as often maintain a constent or ordinary
line of belief. it ranges 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
particular is the identification with the figure of Satan as
heretic, genius, innovator, trailblazer, pioneer, and, sometimes,
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.
nocTifer (tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com)
EOF
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