The Devil has come down to Georgia
The Devil has come down to Georgia. A group called the Satanic Temple has petitioned Still Elementary School in Cobb to hold an afterschool club meeting, stating that in light of Christian clubs meeting they should be allowed to also.
“The Satanic Bible” was written by Anton LaVey and completed in 1969. Having read it, I called him at the height of his popularity and was pleased to get to talk with him, in that I was writing a book of Satanism.
It was an amicable conversation in which I said, “Anton, I really respect you.” His response, paraphrased, was that I didn’t expect to hear that from a Baptist preacher, followed by
what do you mean? I replied, “Some people believe what you do and are covert about it, but you are at least honest enough to admit it.”
I admire the fact most real Satanists acknowledge there is a devil and a hell. Many churches nowadays tread lightly on the subjects lest they offend someone’s sensibility. Dr. Robert Jeffress has brushed aside being PC and written a book titled, “Hell, Yes!”
Satanism’s popularity has increased partly because when a decadent society turns its back on God, it turns back to the gods of decadence. A growing number of Americans have increasingly slid into the slough of decadence. Our moral muddle indicates it.
A legitimate question has been raised globally by scholars of various faiths as to whether Satanism is a religion or a philosophy — with heroes of the faith postulating a modified version of the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher who in the late 19th century challenged the tenants of Christianity and morality in general. Anton readily admitted his indebtedness to Nietzsche.
Members of the intellectual community familiar with LaVey’s work consider it not a religion, but an anti-religion. Its primary
theorization is in essence an attack on Christianity.
Types of Satanists groups vary widely. In researching for my book “The Occult and Lion Country,” I learned there are such groups as conventional, covert, clandestine, community, charlatan, closet and crazy Satanists.
The conventional Satanists are the more orthodox. Clandestine Satanists’ beliefs are more eclectic with magico-religious beliefs. Closet Satanists often try to popularize and soft-sell Satanism as not being biblical Satanism. One of the traits of Satan is he deceives. If beliefs of one group are noted there are others who will deny it.
While some Satanists might deny it, an example of what some Satanists believe is espoused by a group that teaches the Cosmic Hierarchy sent Satan to earth from Venus 17 to 18.5 million years ago as the supreme “ordering force.”
Another group called the Satanic Temple seems committed to giving children a choice between Jesus and Satan. They claim Satan is just a “metaphorical construct.” If this is true, it is not true Satanism as legalized by the courts. It would be a philosophy, not entitled to the rights of courtapproved Satanism.
Nationally. they target middle school children using lessons in literature, creative learning activities, puzzle-solving, and art projects. All are intended to indoctrinate the children in Satanism. They require of children a signed parental consent in order to participate.
Pope Paul VI warned the world in 1972 of a literal devil, stating, “So we know that this dark and disturbing spirit really exists, and that he still acts with treacherous cunning …”
The Rev. Nelson Price is pastor emeritus of Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta and a former chairman of the Shorter University board of trustees.