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ONA Text Review

To: alt.magick.tyagi,alt.satanism,talk.religion.misc
From: tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com (nocTifer)
Subject: ONA Text Review (LONG)
Date: 20 Aug 1996 10:59:51 -0700

kaliyuga
49960820 AA1  orgSatanism (ONA) Text Review

Hail Satan!


#                                 SATANISM -
#               A Basic Introduction For Prospective Adherents

a query-critique of same.


#                                 Anton Long

"Anton".  why the fascination with this name?


#                           (Order of Nine Angles)

nine.  why the fascination with the #?


#                                Introduction
#
#        This present work aims to provide an introduction to genuine
#Satanism for those interested in this particular Occult way.

"genuine" Satanism seems a bit an overemphasis.


#        It is written by someone who has been involved in Satanism for a
#quarter of a century and who now has the honour of being the Grand Master
#representing traditional Satanists.

length of time is not necessarily an indicator of genuineness.


#pseudo-Satanists who have little or no understanding of what real Satanism
#is all about.

"pseudo-Satanists".  unnecessary dismissals.


#...an exultation in the carnal....

I like this part.


#                            I - The Satanic Game
#
#        SATANISM is understood by its genuine adherents as a particular
#Occult way or method. 

over-generalized throughout the text, fabricating a movement which still
counters individualism.


#....which involves a particular way of living.

nice holism.


#        The specific path is a dark, sinister, or 'Left Hand Path' one, and
#the specific goal is the creation of a new type of individual.

like Setians, the ONA apparently is not satisfied with the way people are
now, and not apparently desiring to merely filter out the socialization
so as to arrive at 'natural human beings'.


#        On a more general level, Satanism is concerned with changing our
#evolution and the societies we live in - creating, in fact a new human
#species and a civilization appropriate to the new type of human being.

vague and rather meaningless.  'changing our evolution' is fraught with
ambiguity.


#        However, Satanism is often regarded by the mis-informed and by its
#enemies, as being one or more of the following: (a) worship of the
#Devil/Satan; (b) a religious cult which practices Black Magick; (c) an
#inversion of the Nazarene religion and its rites; (d) a sect which preaches
#and practices perversions and sexual licence.

slandering the manifestations of Satanism in order to prop itself up,
the ONA merely exemplifies its depravity.  Satanism is all these things
and more.


#        Further - an incorrectly - the figure of Satan Himself is commonly
#held to derive from the religion described in the Hebrew 'Old Testament',
#with the word "Satan" being regarded as derived from the Hebrew word for
#"accuser".

this appears to be an etymological error.  no wonder I keep running into 
people who have this misconception.  'Devil' is the term derived from 
'accuser'.  'Satan' derives from 'shaitan', meaning 'adversary'.


#        In fact, the Hebrew word which is often rendered as "Satan" is
#itself derived from another word - an ancient Greek one. This Greek word -
#an is [aitia] - that is, 'an accusation'. [See, for example, its use by
#Aeschylus - aitiau ekho.] Essentially, the Hebrew word 'Satan' is a corrupt
#form of the Greek word for an 'accusation'. In Greek of the classical
#period, [aitia] and [diabole] were often used for the same thing,
#especially when a 'Wrong' or 'Bad' sense was required, as, for example in a
#'false accusation'.

very interesting.  I've never heard this from any other source.


#        Thus, in essence, Satan as a word represents 'Adversary' in the
#sense of opposing norm, the accepted, and this sense is still retained in
#the usage of 'Devil' (e.g. Devil's Advocate). The word 'Devil' is derived
#from the Greek word above, via the Latin 'diabolus'.

notice that 'shaitan' is not mentioned and 'adversary' only tangentally
remarked upon.


#        The figure of Satan is thus seen to be not a Hebrew invention, as
#hitherto supposed, but in fact a representation of Opposition, Heresy: a
#refusal to accept the 'accepted'.

this is facile.  Mr. Long does not provide the origins of the character
of Satan at all, he just points out that Satan is a rebellious deity.


#        Satan is regarded, by Satanists, as a symbol - both real and
#archetypal - of Defiance, of Pride (a refusal to bow down and meekly
#submit) and thus of creative change. From Opposition derives a synthesis,
#the process of dialectical change which governs evolution.

with this I find widespread agreement.


#        Fundamentally, Satanism is anti-religious. Religion means a
#submission - to a deity and its 'appointed' authority/church. 

this is also wonderful, but less popular.  many see Satanism as a kind
of religion itself.  ToS appears to see itself as competing with 'other
religious bodies', for example.


#It also means
#a certain way of viewing the world. The religious way is the way of dogma,
#of revelation, and ultimately, of fear - there is concern with reward and
#retribution, concepts of sin and such like. There is and must be faith.

this aligns with my own preferred contentions, yes.


#        The way of Satanism is the way of liberation: internally and
#externally. There is a desire to know based on experience, rather than a
#faith. There is a desire to be proud and exultant, to revel in life and to
#fulfil the possibilities that life offers. In other words, to really live,
#completely, and to extend to frontiers of existence: to achieve, to
#prosper, to excel. To set the standards, the example, for others rather
#than to follow those of someone else.

this is also text which strikes me as quite popular and reflective of my
own Satanism.


#        Thus, because of 'human nature', Satanism is suited to a minority -
#the few who can really defy and go against accepted norms....

this is the central problem of most orgSatanism.  how to identify who it
is that 'goes against the accepted norms' and how these norms are to be
determined (norms within Satanic society?, within the popular culture at
large?, etc.).


#For it is a
#fundamental principle of Satanism that each individual Satanist finds his
#or her own limits and thus lives, and if necessary dies, by their own
#morality or ethics. That is, a Satanist accepts no standards, no code of
#ethics, no morality: they create their own standards, and live by their own
#morality, however dark or evil that morality may seem to others or
#'society'.

this is what I consider to be the 'individualistic' element of Satanism,
and reflects my own practices exactly.


#        This principle means that Satanists are amoral in the conventional
#sense: they accept no restrictions other than those they impose on
#themselves. There is not and can never be, any such thing as 'Satanic
#ethics' or a Satanic authority which individual Satanists must accept and
#be subservient to - for these are contrary to the essence of Satanism.

I'd call this the 'Thelemic' aspect of the Satanism of ONA and myself.


#        Satanism is an individualized defiance, an individual quest - it is
#the principle of evolution in human practice: the strong survive, win
#through, while the weak perish.

again, more apparent whitewashing.  we are told nothing about what 'winning' 
includes, for example.  somehow now Satanism *is* the princple of evolution 
itself.  quite convoluted.


#        However, this does not mean what most opponents of Satanism assume
#it means - a license for anarchic self-indulgence and a wallowing in
#lust/depravity and so on.... 

it is with ONA's *restrictions* that I differ most, and feel that they are
more controlling memes designed to make itself look good and protect the
weak wills of its author/membership.


#A Satanist has a goal....  to excel - to go beyond what one is....

this seems rather exteme to me.  some Satanists certainly do this.


#To do this requires a
#self-mastery, a real self-discipline. Both of these can only be acquired by
#experience in real life. A Satanist desires to evolve - this requires
#strength of character, resolve. 

note that self-mastery and self-discipline are touted while hedonism and
license are down-played.  I think this says something about the limitations
of the org which promotes it this way.


#What a Satanist does, in real-life or in ritual, is to explore the limits 
#of themselves and the world - to experience and so grow, to fulfil the 
#potential of existence, of 'god-head'/divinity latent within them. 

here we come to what LaVey would call the 'mysticism' and this appears to
be another connecting factor betwixt the ToS and the ONA: the separation
between ritual and "real-life", the "god-head within".  


#Everything is a means to this - rituals, other people, society itself.

note the subsuming of everything to the mystical system.  the disciplines
are presumed to support it while the license of hedonism is not.


#        Of course, this is not easy. The failures become trapped in - or
#never go beyond - the moment and the desires/impulses/feelings of the
#moment. In simple terms, the failures, the pseudo-Satanists wallow in their
#dark side and that of 'society' without either understanding it or
#transcending it.

note that the traps of discipline, asceticism and 'mastery' are not here
mentioned.  the failures are identified with 'pseudo-Satanists' so as to
separate these out from the ONA.  'wallowing' (an animalistic tendency
of pigs) is deprecated here as a 'waste of time' as if there is something
better to do (mysticism) which will 'make it worth our while'.


#        Fundamentally, a Satanist knows and understands where they are
#going and what they are doing/why they are doing it: 

note that the ONA identifies Satanists with successes and therefore may
identify themselves as such.  the text reeks of a fear of failure.


[some of the text re-arranged here from the original presentation]

#the failures, the pseuds, are trapped by the acts or acts or experience. 
#...in thrall to their feelings, emotions, and without any real
#self-discipline and thus insight.

note that self-discipline (restricting oneself) is here more or less
equated to or directly linked to insight.  note the association of
licentiousness to being overcome by emotions.  LaVey addresses this
well as a function of ritual to let of emotional steam.


#The Satanist is strong, proud, defiant, self-disciplined and in control; 

this is the icon of present American society.  if this is what is being
represented as 'alternative', and it strikes me as completely at odds
with earlier promotions that "Satanism is suited to a minority - the few 
who can really defy and go against accepted norms."  the accepted norms
include just this kind of control-worship.


#...a real evolution.

look at the hype here focussing on Darwinian ideals.  'evolution', as
with so many Satanists, is for the ONA, an important process.  'change',
especially 'change for the better so as to make us into the strong,
the survivors' is the obsession.  I am beginning to feel that this sort
of obsession is the replacement for the Christian after-life assurances.


#        The way of Satanism sets forth various learning experiences, reveal
#various esoteric techniques and offers an esoteric or 'initiated' insight
#into life, individuals and the cosmos itself. 

note that the Satanist is by Long set out as special and 'wise' or 'full
of insight', in a manner not unlike the Judeochristian prophets.


#Satanism is a practical way
#of living, and in the early stages a part of this involves magickal
#practices and rituals. 

here's something which seems unique about the ONA: associating magical
practices and rituals with "early stages".  perhaps the ONA wants to be
'more scientific' than the rest through relegating magick and rite to
the 'immature years of development'.


#These are experiences, the development of certain
#esoteric skills, and this a learning of 'forbidden' Arts. They also enable
#indulgence in worldly pleasures - carnal, material and otherwise. But such
#rituals are not a fetish or of a religious nature - they are merely means,
#to be used, learned from and then transcended. For a Satanist always moves
#on - to new experiences, new learning, new insights, new challenges.

in some ways I find this approximates my own Satanism, as I shift from one
context to the next, enjoy exploring, become a sort of discoverer or
explorer (of self, taboo, etc.).  in others I find that this still feeds
the notion that the ONA Satanist is condemned to the mediocre, never 
tasting of extremity and the challenge of durable depth.


#        For most, the overtly Occult aspects - involving participating in
#magickal rites and running (and thereby manipulating) one's own
#group/Temple - lasts a few years. After that, it has served it purpose, and
#is left behind. There is then, for the Satanist, an involvement with other
#Satanic practices in order to further develop the character and abilities
#of that Satanist, and to express by their acts and way of living, the dark
#side of existence.

note that Long here sets out a rather simplistic race-course for Satanists,
perhaps from reflections on how social dynamics take place, perhaps from
his own experience generalized to the human species.


#        Some of these Satanic practices are, viewed conventionally, evil
#and some are 'illegal' or at least rather dubious in nature. They are
#chosen by the Satanist to further their development and to help what is
#known as the 'sinister dialectic of history'.

it is here that I think that Long fares best: in his treatment of the
bounds of legality and personal involvement.


#...each Satanist wishes to make their mark on the world - to achieve 
#something with their lives, this achievement being significant. They wish 
#to change things - for their life to have an effect: to participate 
#significantly in evolution.

here is the idealism come to fruit.  in criticism, it could be said (and I
think there is quite a bit of truth to these words, though mayhaps not
really isolated to Satanism) that Satanists, feeling powerless and 
insignificant, seek to fabricate of our lives something memorable, wish to
be seen as we tread water in urban anonymity, and foster change in a world
which seems to resist our every movement.


#Thus, a Satanist, aware of their Destiny - or desiring to achieve a
#Destiny - seeks experiences which will aid that destiny, which will enable
#its complete fulfilment. The choice is theirs, and theirs alone - there are
#no restraints, other than that they should work and achieve or aid that
#Destiny.

here Long utilizes 'Destiny' in a manner of liberated Buddhist 'Dharma' 
or Thelemic 'True Will'.  something great for those of us who feel so small.


#        In consequence, some of the deeds they may undertake may be - and
#really should be - evil. That is, disruptive of norms, both personal and
#supra-personal (ie. 'society' based). Some may involve 'culling' (ie.
#removing human dross or those who oppose the Destiny of the Satanist - via
#sacrifice or whatever). Some may involve 'illegal'/terrorist/amoral acts.

here is Long's strong point again displayed: the involvement with the
taboo and counter-cultural is given explicit support.


#        What is important about what is chosen and done is that (a) it aids
#or fulfills the Destiny of the Satanist so choosing and acting; 

serves the cause of individualism.  beautiful.


#and/or (b)
#it aids Satanism in general ie. it helps to fulfil the "sinister dialectic
#of history". There are no other considerations - ethical, moral, religious
#or whatever.

Long's 'sinister dialectic of history' is something which I remember from
previous exposure to ONA materials.  he calls it a 'Satanic strategy'.


#The aim of this strategy is to change evolution - i.e. the evolution of 
#our species and the cosmos itself, by interaction. This evolution is 
#toward 'the sinister' - i.e. toward greater individuality and creativity. 

note that Long associates the 'sinister' with the individualistic and
CREATIVE.  this is the fly in the ONA ointment.  rather than finding
the esoteric linkage between the sinister/left/wrathful and DESTRUCTION,
he co-opts the symbology (to the detriment of the org and reflected by
the adherence to discipline and ascetic ideals).

and yet look at his aim: 'changing evolution of the species'.  this is
reminiscent of 'Zardoz' and their attempt to 'turn the hand of God' 
(Nature) through purposive self-limitation and self-transformation.


#To achieve this, restrictions have to be destroyed. This means the 
#restructuring of societies, among other things.

top-down restructure according to someone's standards?  dangerous.


#Essentially, the aim is to create a new human species - to develop that
#potential latent within us as individuals: to achieve the divine. Or
#expressed another way, to let the human species develop maturity - at
#present the vast majority are still immature children. 

here we are given another paradigm, one of ageism.  'maturity' is to
be associated with the strong, robust, etc.  children are 'undeveloped'.
the "divine" is something we achieve, not something we are....


#And they are kept that way by the restraints and impositions and 
#control of societies and religions and other structures (such as politics): 
#by ethics, and by dogma.

with this I tend to agree, and yet Mr. Long is yet perpetuating these
within his text (self-restrictions, fear of loss of control, hedonism, 
etc.).  perhaps he is merely one of the immature and admits this.


#        The archetype for this change is Satan - the Adversary, the
#Heretic, the Proud One who refuses to bow down before some 'god'; who
#refuses to accept subservience. 

I find that this yields a refusal to serve at all in some ONA members.
the concept of 'service' itself becomes repugnant, and a horrific
egotism may well become the result.  that is one of the characters I
find pervasive within the 'evolutionary' orgSatanists: elitism based
on egotistical control and domination.


#To achieve this change there has to be a
#learning - a gradual increase in the number of genuine Satanists: i.e. in
#those who are free of external and internal restraints and who allegiance
#is to the creative energy that creates all life and engenders its change
#and thus evolution and which therefore is the essences of existence.

here again the rallying around creationism, so pervasive in Christian
society (and to all our detriment).  somehow we are supposed to change
society just by more and more people becoming Satanists (in name?).

what this will lead to is a gradual increase in the number of people who
*claim* to be 'genuine Satanists'.  it may well not lead to the ideals
supported by the ONA at all.  Long never says how we are supposed to
discern the 'genuine' from the 'pseuds' except as regards their 
*internal* qualities.  what happens if a 'pseud' begins to mimick the
'genuine'?


#        Each Satanist, by living Satanically, aids the dialectic and thus
#aids evolutionary change - they learn to play at being god....

here's another peculiarity (typo?) of text I have found amongst most Neopagans
but generally among Satanists, since their focus is more along the lines of
divine identification: 'god' and 'God'.  Long uses both of these terms in his
document (the other I have omitted).  note that here 'god' does not obviously
reflect either *a* god (by whatever meaning) but just 'god' as if it should
have been capitalized, implying JCI creationist scenarios.


#As for the rest - they can participate, and so learn and so evolve to 
#another existence. 

here's an interesting phrase: 'evolve to another existence'.  it brings to
mind utopian postmortems.


#Or they can be used, by Satanists, to effect changes greater than themselves.

'submit to our way of thinking and "advance" or be used by us'.  this org has
dangerous overtones if the principles espoused here are taken as weapons.


#        There are no limitations unless we create them - and if others
#create them, they are there to be transcended. To exult in excellence is
#the name of the only game worth playing: the Satanic one.

I like Long's appreciation of the 'no limitations' type of thinking.  his
own limitations of thought give the work a worrisome tone, however.


#                        II - Some Questions Answered
#
#Q: Is Satanism simply Devil-Worship?
#A: The term 'devil-worship' is used in a number of ways - often to describe
#'Black Magick' and the alleged practices of 'Satanists': e.g. sexual
#rituals, animal sacrifice. What is usually described by this term are the
#activities of Occult dabblers who have no knowledge of real Satanism, and
#who play at being Satanists - invoking The Devil and so on. Often, the term
#'Devil-worship' is used in the moral sense to describe 'perverted' behaviour
#in an Occult setting.

I find that many many 'occultists' don't have any 'idea' what they are doing.
they are proceeding along intuitive lines.  Long's text merely emphasizes his
obsession with knowing all this and maintaining that control.


#        In the literal sense, Devil-worship means a religious worship of the
#Devil.
#        In all the above senses, Satanism is not 'devil-worship': Satanists
#do not worship anything, and the practices and rites of Satanism are quite
#different from the popular 'media' image/model.

Long specifies his own Satanism and generalizes it to the detriment of the
entire Satanic culture.  while it may be wonderful for him, it will only
likely create one more personality cult.


#        While some of the rites involve various Occult forms - robes, a
#Temple and so on - most are removed from such associations. The real magick
#of a Satanist takes place through their way of living - what they do and
#achieve in real life and situations, by trying to fulfil their Destiny and
#aid the sinister dialectic. They live Satanically, rather than play Occult
#games.

again ageism and the striving to achieve this thoroughly common norm of
'not playing games', 'not being childish', and 'always being in control'.
I think this must arise out of adolescent mentality which has such a
struggle with these concepts.

perhaps this explains the character of much of Satanism today: it is often
the product of teens or young white males, and so will naturally reproduce
the slavery of this social class unless liberated through counter-force.
I have seldom found the compassion, the love, the intuitive sense, the
classically 'feminine' traits represented by these bad-whiteboy orgs.

nowhere does Mr. Long say anything here about exploring unusual types of
sexuality, for example.  this was one of DVera's wonderful criticisms of
the Satanic movement: its latent and at times overt homophobia.
 

#Q: But what of The Devil? Or Satan? Does He really exist? And, if so, do
#you respect Him?
#A: He exists, 

note the masculine nature of Satan specified here.


#but not in the way most believe: e.g. a horned figure with
#cloven feet. Rather, He is not bound by our everyday spatial and temporal
#dimensions, but exists instead in what esoteric tradition calls 'the
#acausal'. We apprehend the acausal mostly in an archetypal way - i.e. we
#impose an image upon its acausal and non-spatial structure.

here we have a further appeal to cult science.  the 'dark force'.  Long's
focus on causality and acausality is seemingly unique.  I have seldom
seen Satanists bring in this component to their metaphysics.

 
#        The 'conventional' descriptions of the Devil or Satan are basically
#childish Nazarene images. The reality is far more terrifying and evil -
#when viewed conventionally, of course!

note that Long does not understand or appreciate mythos here, and this seems
to correlate well with his characterization of magick as 'preparatory', his
radical disassociation of ritual with "real-life".


#...there is only a working with the acausal energies or forces or 
#'entities' as those things are: a becoming-like the Devil; an 
#identity-with Him, if you wish. And this is an extension of one's
#own being or existence, rather than a negation, a submergence.
#        Expressed simply, one becomes one with Satan, and in the early
#stages strives to be like Him.

we are not told much about Satan here except that "He" (capitalized
for some reason here also) is rebellious.  to become one with this
abstract "acausal" entity we will ostensibly undergo the break with
our parental authorities.  very important masculodevelopment (as it
plays into maturation where menstruation and the birthing of children,
the latter becoming more uncommon for many women due to their concern
for the biosphere, become initiatic maturation experiences).


#Q: Does Satanism involve human sacrifice?
#A: Sometimes a Satanist may undertake a culling - either during a magickal
#ritual or in the real world (e.g. by assassination, manipulating someone to
#do the deed). Whether or not this is done depends on the Destiny of the
#individual Satanist - on whether a particular person or persons need
#removing in order for that Destiny to be attained.

here Long delves into the truly dark: the realm of murder.  oh he will
pass it off as 'culling the herd' or some other minimization of the deed,
and the member who gave me this file agreed with me that the ONA supports
'consensual human sacrifice', and yet Long himself does not hold such
ethical values dear in the slightest.  it 'might be necessary'.  I think
this is very courageous of Mr. Long, though I don't think I can follow
him down this road personally (since prizing consensual, *acknowledged* 
human sacrifice as per some or most of the old King-killing rites).


#...once someone has been judged to be worthless (in terms of their 
#character and deeds) or otherwise found to be suitable for sacrifice, 
#they will be tested in order to confirm this judgement/suitability. 
#...Two or three tests are usually conducted, without the victim's
#knowledge. Only if they fail these tests will a culling be undertaken, 
#for the glory of Satanism in general.

a game ensues to determine the targets of 'unworthiness' for 'culling'.


#        The "raison d'etre" for Satanic culling, is some people are
#worthless, a liability to evolution, and their removal is healthy: it aids
#the human stock. And thus helps to achieve Satanic goals.

now we have a three-tiered sociology.  I think this is rather common
among Satanists:
		1) Satanists (the "real" ones)
		2) "false" or "pseudo" Satanists
		3) the sheep/worthless/herd

the categories 2 and 3 are usually not strictly defined, such that someone
may be a member of 3, or perhaps 2 but not 3.  yet we are unsure where those
who fall under 2 truly are unless they are part of some unspecified 'herd'.
they don't appear to belong any longer to either the elite or the food/sheep.


#        Further, those chosen really choose themselves, by their deeds -
#they reveal their worthless character or their suitability by what they do,
#or do not do, in real life. Thus, a culling is akin to an act of 'natural
#justice', a restoration of the creative imperative.

I remember reviewing this document before.  notice that Mr. Long wishes to
remove the possibility of guilt here by suggesting that the 'worthless' are
choosing themselves for 'culling'.  the Satanist isn't selecting at all,
we are led to believe.  in this way it can be explained away as 'consensual'.


#Q: But surely this 'culling' as you call it, is a criminal act?
#A: The 'Law' is an accumulation of tireless attempts by the mediocre
#majority to prevent the creative few turning life into a succession of
#ecstasies. Or, less poetically, it is an attempt to restrain the healthy,
#noble instinct of the strong - an attempt to usurp the judgement of
#experience.

it is with respect to the law (no caps) that Mr. Long shines brightly
in his wisdom.  truly counter-cultural, the Satanist has regard and
perhaps respect for, but not blind subservience to the social laws.


#        What matters is that each individual develops their own judgement -
#possesses a sense of 'natural justice', a mature and strong character (born
#via experience). The 'Law' is an expression of tyranny - of someone else
#taking away this judgement and character: of society treating people as
#children.

again, Long hits home very strongly the point of Satanism's respect (or
lack thereof) for the social law.


#...the age of
#sixteen. Before then, there can be no participation in Satanism, whether
#this be rituals or anything else, simply because Satanism involves each
#individual making their own choice - of deciding, for themselves, that they
#wish to undergo Satanic training or undertake a Satanic way of living.

I have never heard this age-limitation before, though I could understand
it in order to dodge legal ramification.  in many ways I like this, since
the parent is under no illusion that they could 'Satanize' their child,
and the person must make the choice themselves with no 'pressure'.

JParker describes this a little in his _At the Heart of Darkness_ (which
I do not recommend).  there is a huge issue within religious systems
that incorporate social taboos: are they too much for those who are not
yet adults? (nudity, death and destruction symbology, etc.).  the point
is that they have not developed the shadow (Jung) which the adults are
attempting to work through.  in this way it may be premature to have
them involved and may short out the symbology and rite such that they
will both understand it all differently and require alternative
structures to work out *their* shadows.


#Q: But surely Satanists control and use others - manipulate them?
#A: Of course! Some people are natural slaves. Satanists are the natural
#leaders. But each person has a free choice - if they need to follow, to be
#led, if the enjoy being manipulated, or out of weakness have little or no
#character of their own, then that is in their nature. existence is often
#ruthless: the strong win through while the weak go under. Thus is evolution
#achieved. Humans are no different, although many in their delusion would
#wish to believe otherwise.

it is here where Long fails, however, since what is 'strong' and what is
'weak' do not necessarily remain consistent within Evolutionary theory
(it all depends upon the circumstances).


#...softees (and ...pseudo-Satanists)....  addicts ....on drugs. As such,
#they are life's failures. A Satanist views them with contempt - they have
#made their choice, and revealed a weak character. 

notice the suggestion here that all Satanists react alike to this kind of
person (the Type 3 herd/failure/sheeple).  'revulsion', 'contempt', etc.
this is common amongst the less developed Satanic metaphysics.


#...he or she might
#consider it worth their while - and certainly justified - in 'using' these
#worthless people, by, for instance, supplying them with what they need. To
#wit, drugs. This would be profitable, and enable the Satanist to live their
#life a little more Satanically. It would also aid the sinister dialectic -
#in two ways. First, the addicts might in the near future die, and thus
#remove or cull themselves. Second, the 'drug-culture' is symptomatic of a
#society or societies infested with the Nazarene disease: where a
#slave-morality has triumphed and noble, strong instincts are
#repressed/suppressed. (Where, for instance, the idea of combat, of war, as
#healthy, is heresy.) Such a society or societies need to be undermined and
#destroyed and replaced by healthier ones.

[lots of polemics about how the Satanic is strong, glorious, etc. omitted]

it is here that I feel Long goes too far, beginning to sound almost 
Hitlerian with his 'Nazarene disease'.  that people might become pawns
of the shrewd is one thing, but that their debilitation is attributed
to some social faction (rather than religion itself, which the ONA
might become given all these assertions) strikes me as overly extreme.


#Q: If I wished to become a Satanist, what would I have to do?
#A: The first thing is to make sure one understands what Satanism is and
#involves by contacting other Satanists, for instance, or reading genuine
#Satanic material such as the works of the O.N.A.

BEWARE.  here the ONA seeks to ensnare and produce its cult.  I consider
the ONA to be an enslavement org in a manner more deceptive than CoS
and less intellectually respectable than the ToS.  its certainty and
anti-dogma dogma are similarly disgusting.


#...one affirms one's desire to follow the way of Satan. This rite
#can be either a ceremonial one, via an existing Order or Satanic group, or
#a hermetic 'self-Initiation'. Examples of both are available to those
#curious enough to find them.

at least thus far one is not subjugated to the herd.


#        Following this, one undertakes various tasks, techniques and
#methods over a period of some months, the aim of all of which is to build a
#solid Satanic foundation, in terms of character.... 

#        During all this, one is aiding the dark forces by the very act of
#doing Satanic things. That is, aiding evolution - of one's self, and
#existence in general. One is being significant; doing and achieving.

besides the obvious play for achievement, I find the cosmological aspect of
this rhetoric (aiding the dark forces = aiding evolution/existence) to be
rather unique.


#        What is important, is that one really lives; achieves things; works
#in and alters the real world; and learns and so develops - in character,
#insight, knowledge and so on.

counter to taoists in that one 'makes something of oneself'.  if nothing
else this could be said to be emminently practical.


#...A Satanist wants to be a god - and is prepared to change the world 
#to make their dreams a reality. Most people dream, but lack the courage 
#to act. What matters is that one does something - if somethings do not 
#work out as one planned, there are other places, other times. New 
#dreams to dream and fulfil. And life does not even end with causal death 
#- one can become Immortal! The form of life simply changes. But this 
#immortality is not given - it is not a reward. It is _achieved_, it is 
#a conscious act: a becoming-one with the dark force itself, with Satan.

here Long lays out the Hermetic foundation of his philosophy bare for
all to see.  immortality (transcending natural death) is the ultimate
goal, through 'becoming one with the dark force itself', whatever this
means.  we may presume that it is a handwaving, though it could become
what is typified in Hermetics: a resolution of the ego.


#        There is much that is numinous, but nothing known that surpasses
#Man in numinosity. That is, of all life, we as individuals possess the most
#potential - have the 'creative fire' of life itself. 

back to his creationism and the support-system for immortality (escaping
death through achieving in life), this is not all that different from
many Judeochristian schemes of enslavement.


#Satanism is a means to
#not only understand this, but to implement it - fulfil our divine (and
#diabolic) potential. To live this existence to the full. To participate in
#evolution. And to evolve to another realm entirely.

newage progressive scholasticism.  Satanism becomes Hermeticism, as per ToS.


#        But Satanism is dangerous - it is testing. It requires a demonic
#desire, a strength of character. It is genuine Heresy. It is for the few
#who can really defy, who really wish to become like gods and are prepared
#to take the risks involved.

in all I find that Long uses the terminology in obfuscatory ways, doesn't
get very close to the common or popular ideas on Satanism, has a few 
valuable points as regarding taboo and individualism, yet subjugates these
to his desire to enslave people to the cause of ONA.  

BEWARE, another orgSatanism which degenerates the individual will.

nocTifer
tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com
---------------------------
(c) 1996

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