The timing of this article conveniently releases during a current scandal regarding Satanism in the media and visual entertainment.

What You See Isn’t What You Get

This time though the torch and pitchforks, as well as the threat of legal action, are directed at one Satanic organization, it is still nonetheless affecting the entire image of Satanism itself.

This organization named, The Satanic Temple based in Salem Massachusetts is a nontheistic organization like, The Church of Satan. The temple, however, is a lot more involved in political activism and has adopted a policy of drawing attention to their religion. However, let’s keep this one for another article.

Let’s talk about an entertaining series. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, by the Netflix channel. It wrongly popularize an extensive use of official Satanic imagery, namely a Statue of the Baphomet.

Also, the series repeatedly use incorrect and inaccurate language supposedly associated with Satanism become a way of perpetuating a negative stereotype against Satanists.

No Abuse

There is, of course, an almost inexhaustible list of misconceptions surrounding what and who real Satanists are. For once, it is claimed Satanists sacrifice animals, well this claim is false and directly contradicts the views expressed by the church and also The Temple of Satan.

“The definition of Good and Evil: Good is what you like. Evil is what you don’t like.” — Anton LaVey, Founder of the COS

Others claim Satanists abuse children as well as adults in a ritualized form of exploitation. These claims though documented, no evidence ever surfaced. Again, these allegations are entirely against the views of real Satanists, who believe children should be cherished and nurtured as well as there is no logical reason for a Satanist to force someone to take part in any of their rituals.

Those are intended as a cathartic and private event, so the presence of someone against their will would serve no purpose.

All Hail The Devil?

Some believe that Satanists worship the devil, this being again totally wrong. Satanists do not believe in the existence of spiritual entities, demonic or otherwise.

The use of the Baphomet and pentagram among others are used deliberately to inspire feelings of opposition and rebellion against Catholic morality.

It is a mean to ‘put a face to the name’ of the individualist, atheistic mode of thought in an almost provocative manner.

Ignorance vs. Learning

It is my personal belief that the misconceptions, inaccuracies and outright lies against Satanism are more than enough incentive for Satanists to demand equal representation and the respect any other religion would receive.

This negative stigma around the Devil and Satan is probably a big part of why the image chosen as the figurehead of a movement in defiance to absolute control and as the defender of individuality is the Devil.

Dyllan