A Matter of of Life and Death: An Interview with FCoS Founder John D. Allee by Lillee Allee

With the deaths of Terry Schiavo and the Pope John Paul II, many people are asking the hard questions about rights and living wills, health care proxies, euthanasia, and other spiritual and ethical concerns regarding the beginning and ending of what one would define as life.

While many Satanists are seen as uncaring and cavalier regarding these issues, John Allee states that these are issues that pagans and Satanists should be discussing with their partners, families, friends and within their organizations.

John and I recently discussed these issues and decided it was time to offer answers to some of the questions being asked.

LCA: Do Satanists celebrate life? Or do they see it as suffering?

JDA: Unlike the Buddhist mantra that all life is sorrow, the Satanic philosophy is that life is something to celebrate and cherish. Let's be honest here, no one has proven that the options are better. In fact, some people see life as an amusement park ride: it has its scary points, and it is annoying to wait in line, but in the end, you would probably want to do it again if you chose the right ride and the right partner. Life can be exciting and it can be excruciating, but there is much joy to being alive.

Some will tell us that we know we are alive when we suffer, as somehow things become more real. This may be true. However, we also need to evolve and accept our shadow sides and the shadow side of life and take it as it comes. There is nothing to be sad about, until the end when life looms quite vividly in front of our eyes. Then we have to make decisions. Anton Lavey said "no one wants to leave a party" when he talked about the end of life. Part of our responsibility is to make sure we enjoy life to the fullest. It is about living in the here and now, not the past and not obsessing about the future.

LCA: John, many people are shocked when we state that as Satanists we believe in the right to life. Do you want to explain this?

JDA: These people who are shocked believe that Satanists are strictly mercenary and cold blooded. Satanism promotes egoism, that's true, but a healthy egoism strengthened by positive interaction with one's environment. You cannot isolate the ego and expect it to flourish. Therefore, Satanists do not take a nihilistic stance - we embrace the force which produces life and celebrate life in the here and now! We are not waiting for a better hereafter or living in fear of a worse fate as punishment for sins.

Quality of life is certainly an issue - but the question remains who makes the judgment? This is where sovereignty and personal autonomy enters into the equation.

LCA: So you are saying that a DNR (or Do Not Resuscitate) order in the case of a person who has suffered a severe injury or collapse is appropriate?

JDA: If that is their will, and recognized by that individual beforehand, absolutely. On the other hand, I understand that if someone is terminal and wants to end their life, they should be able to have counseling and have a choice like Dr. Kervorkian has allegedly assisted people with. I understand my view is controversial. However, if the situation is such that the individual prefers death to the other options, then that is also their right. There is a difference between making a sane choice and being of sound mind and body, and someone who chooses to exit due to mental issues that could be resolved and worked out.

LCA: Do you believe in health care proxies and living wills?

JDA: I decided to have a health care proxy and that should be honored by my family, friends and the court. This is my choice. I would like to see living wills and these proxies done on video so there is no hearsay. If Mrs. Schiavo's wishes had been videotaped, most people would have fewer questions regarding her husband's actions. If he did do as she asked, it is sad that he has to go through so much grief. If he did not, it is even worse that it is allowed to be decided in a court instead of sanely and privately between family members.

LCA: There are divided opinions regarding the fate of Terry Schiavo. Some Satanists say it was no one's business, others say the husband was in the right, Any comment on this?

JDA: It was no one's business until the dispute between the family and husband was brought to the media and the courts. This is tragic in itself. The husband may not have been acting appropriately, but that is a hard one to judge since few people can honestly say they have been in the same situation. This underscores the importance of individual sovereignty. If nothing else good comes of it, we at least had these not so pretty issues of death staring us in the face. Now people will talk more about their own care and that of others. Maybe more will write out health care wishes. We have a society that invites discussion, debate and social change. This is not always a bad thing.

LCA: Was it hard for you to think about a health care proxy?

JDA: Of course, a Satanist, especially, hates to think about relinquishing control. Choose the person with care and talk to that person again and again. Make sure there is no other agenda than your own wishes. Make sure they understand that it is your wishes that are to be honored and not theirs, even in such an emotional moment. This is why it is so important to talk to your loved ones about death at a time when it is not imminent or during the midst of a health crisis. A living will is important and should be looked into by everyone at any age.

LCA: What is the end of life, in your opinion?

JDA: I think that for everyone, that answer may be different. To me, the end of life is what medical doctors say it is - no brain wave - a flat EEG. Even with a heartbeat, with no brainwave, the person is dead. The body may not be, but the person is gone. This is why many people choose not to have any life sustaining equipment. A machine can keep your heart going, but there is nothing that can keep your brain alive or healthy except for us.

LCA: What about in the case of severe brain damage?

JDA: This is tricky and should only be looked at by individuals in a case by case basis. Some people would be horrified at the thought of being in a vegetative state, while others would hope a breakthrough could occur. Only the person can make that decision. I know I would not want to be a burden on anyone for the rest of their life, so it would be my time to go.

LCA: Does that open the door to possible issues with children born brain damaged or the mentally retarded?

JDA: There need to be laws to protect these innocents. Again, there has to be an issue regarding the health and status of the child and not simply what the parents can afford in terms of care or possible rehabilitation. If we all are gods, are not these children as well? This is not just a parental concern, but part of a larger social contract. We should be on the side of everyone being given a chance at life.

LCA: Have you had any personal revelations from this?

JDA: I am very proud to be an American. At least in our country, we have no secrets, our dirty laundry is on the world news, but we can learn and change from this as well. Terry's legacy may well be that people will have their wishes respected when they are not in a condition to speak for themselves. This is important. We need to review and test our laws, even when we don't like the answers or decisions that are handed down. Our system can work, sometimes it does not work as well as we would like, or as fast, but in the end, we can see that maybe some good will come from this.

copyright 2005 JDA/LCA First Church of Satan http://fcos.us