[The author grants permission for individuals to post this Work on their websites, so long as nothing is altered.]
Do you come to this bar often? Pull up a chair while I pour you a reality cocktail;
For the past seven years I've heard much talk of the need to unite Satanists under the common banner of Satan, to raise money for legal defense funds, to put out material that will help everyone understand what Satanism is, to start community outreach programs, to set up funds to loan organizations to build local churches. These are noble ambitions, but in the year 2003, it has the similitude of "putting the cart before the horse."
I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but Satanism has a *major problem* with its core constituency and until this problem is resolved, we will see no social progress or movement forward.
My perspective is that of a Satanist who has been on the scene since 1970, made TV and radio appearances and communicates with dozens of Satanists from around the world on a daily basis. Although there are those who have staked their lives
and reputations on being public Satanists, the vast majority are self-loathing individuals who anonymously creep onto the internet, beat their chests with fanfare and bravado, give the *appearance* of being emancipated, then quietly slink back into the shadows once they step away from the keyboard. Should one of these poseurs encounter the genuine article; a
self-aware, self-confident, articulate spokesperson, the exchange is often unpleasant. Can you reason why? It reminds me of the LaVeyan who wanted to become a "legitimate" Satanist, so he mails his one-hundred dollars, receives his membership card and declares, "That's funny, I don't feel like a god." So he proceeds to bash and bully those Satanists he feels inferior to, so he can maintain his illusion of superiority.
The bad news is, the Satanic movement is awkwardly paranoid and self-destructive. Using the aforementioned wish list, let's say we were to create a Satanic legal defense fund. I'm sure many would like to contribute to such a cause, but their own cowardice would stop them since it might jeopardize their employment prospects should their generosity become public knowledge. And then, there are those who view Satanism as a philosophy of brutal selfishness with no consideration towards others - they cannot grasp the concept of rational self-interest and therefore would not contribute, even though it would ultimately benefit them! Using current conditions as a model, it may take twenty to thirty years to raise enough money to launch you first civil case!!!
For years I've heard them say, "Let's form a committee and give these group leaders equal power. That would create an atmosphere of Unity and cease the endless bickering!" Well, let me pour you another drink. This approach has already been tried and it failed consistently each time. In fact, the situation became much worse. This is not the way to achieve
comradery within the Satanic movement. The focus should be on the individual, not the collective. Satanists must achieve Unity within themselves before they can achieve Unity with each other. If you focus on the microcosm, the macrocosm will follow.
And so I have a message for the vainglory High Priests and Black Popes of Satanism; you say you want power? You shall have power! Simply address the real life needs and concerns of your core constituents and they will exalt you in return. Life is give and take; what you put into it is proportional to what you get out of it. Persevere and your long term goals will
have enthusiastic support.