If you’ve ever wondered what life is like for a Satanist, look no further because a Warlock has answered all the questions you’ve got about practicing Satanism in Australia!
Marquis, a 45-year-old musician, author and magazine editor from Brisbane, is one of about 2500 practising Satanists in Australia. This is what he had to say.
He became a Satanist because it made sense to him at a time when nothing else did
I stumbled upon The Satanic Bible (written by the late Church of Satan leader Anton LaVey) when I was in my mid-20s and I found that I identified with it. It described me and who I was, who I wanted to become. Its basically a philosophy for non-conformists. Satanists by nature are outcasts. We distance ourselves from the herd. We believe that you are your own god and that you are responsible for your own actions. You dont need to bow down or fear other gods and deities. I always believed in questioning authority and what was being written in the media.
I joined up straight away and started reading LaVeys other works as well as literature on applying Satanism to modern life. I decided this was what was going to work for me and I pursued it. Satanism based on rational self interest. If its for you, you feel the fire burning.
His parents were not happy when he broke the news to them. Twenty years later, they are still not impressed
They were basically dismissive of it. Didnt want to know. Theyve never accepted it and they dont want to talk about it. They are old-school, set standard Christians and they prefer to believe the representation of Satanism in the media.
My friends on the other hand totally accept it. Ive never had any bad reactions, per se. Just about every single time Ive told someone the reaction has been curiosity. They want to know all about it even if they dont necessarily want to be one themselves. But I dont talk about it much because theres nothing more irritating than preaching.
He had to prove himself to the Church of Satans governing board, the Council of Nine, to reach the rank of Warlock.
The Council of Nine watches you over the years to see how you are living your life as a Satanist. You dont take a written exam or anything, you have to adopt Satanism as a lifestyle and apply the philosophy to day-to-day living. We realise there are limitations to that and you cant go to a job interview decked out in pentagrams but its really important that you live your life the way you want and to the fullest extent possible. Thats the way to elevate yourself through the ranks of the Church.
Satanists take Halloween seriously but think its great when other people dress up
The next important date on the Satanic calendar is Halloween and we have ceremonial gatherings to commemorate the occasion that last about two days. Well do a ritual and decompress afterwards to discharge all the energy and sit around and talk about the energy. Then well have a barbecue.
Last year it took place in a very isolated location at a property in a rural community. There was no one around for miles. It was the perfect spot and we had a bonfire cracking and the ocean roaring in front of us.
Personally, I think its really important to honour ancient traditions and the return of the departed ones. Its good that everyone (non-Satanists) get to dress up in costume and have a fun night but for us its Halloween 365 days a year.
His concept of hedonism, one of the driving forces of Satanism, may surprise you
Hedonism is very important to us. It means indulging in all the pleasures life has to offer such as art, literature and music. I love to travel, I love going to mysterious places and I love being surrounded by nature. I like my revelry too: I like a drink, its all part of the indulgence but its indulgence without compulsion.
Satanists dont believe in hell
Im open to the idea of an afterlife but I dont dwell on it because I want to be in the present and enjoy every moment of it. I dont believe in hell (when you die). Hell to me is all these religious fanatics dying and butchering for their faith, wasting the one opportunity they had at life.
Sacrificing children and animals is a no-no for Satanists according toThe Eleven Satanic Rules
We absolutely do not use children or animals in our rituals Thats one of the satanic rules: Do not harm little children. Another rule states: Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food. I think misconceptions of those sort started in the 80s when there were all these things going on at the height of Satanic Panic but the FBI did an investigation and found no evidence of anything like that going on.
You do get the occasional twisted individual who gives us a bad name. People like (serial killer and self-described Satanist) Richard Ramirez, the Night Stalker. It just takes one devil-worshipping nut to get everyones attention.
via news.com.au
