THE WOLF AMONG THE SHEEP

[Andrew]

I AM NOT the type of guy who tolerates sloppy thinking; not in myself, not in my students, and not in others.

So it strikes me that while Satanists of all varieties debate who and what a "real" Satanist is, the real point is being missed.

Whether you are a Theistic, LaVeyan, Philosophical, Modern, Red, Pink, or Blue Satanist, there is one thing we all have in common. We are the Bad Guys. The Monsters. The Boogeymen (or to be politically correct, the Boogeypersons). In short, my esteemed Brothers and Sisters, we are the wolves among the sheep.

Don't give me that crap about Satanists being the "Good Guys," and that Satanism is misunderstood. Let's leave all that nonsense to the Wiccans. You and I chose the label "Satanist" because we identify with the villain. If we didn't, we wouldn't have selected the most offensive name in the book.

So it really tries my patience to hear Satanists talking about educating the masses, or trying to spread a positive image of Satanism. Am I the only person who finds the concept absurd? Imagine the wolf trying to improve his public image among the sheep, and see if you can still keep a straight face. There is no way you are going to convince your prey that you are a Nice Person. It doesn't work that way.

Obviously, I am not advocating rape, murder, or theft. Such things are cries for help, attempts to get satisfaction by people so inept they can't obtain what they want through guile and magic. But when I meet people, I immediate separate them into one of two categories; my Equals, or my Lunch.

My Equals are those who are just as resourceful, crafty, and dangerous as I am...or those who at least show the potential of being so. To me, the definition of a good friendship is finding someone who could give you the challenge of a lifetime if you ever ended up on opposite sides. Those are the people I respect, and the only ones I feel compelled to treat honestly and fairly.

My Lunch is all the rest...people who lack the nerve, the will, or the potential to ever be anything more than one of the herd. These are the people I give myself full permission to toy with, manipulate, and use. And because I AM a Satanist, I will do it in such a way that they never really know I've used them...and they probably end up enjoying it. In short, they are the bodies I have to climb over to get to the top. And before you get all sulky on me, just show me one successful human being who didn't feel the same way. Morality is for the middle classes, folks. I play to win.

So it boggles my mind that there are Satanists out there who want Satanism to someday be the major, accepted religion. Don't they get it? Without sheep, the wolves go hungry. I LIKE a Christian dominated society. The current system is my playground. It gives me a hunting ground in which I can move about unseen, stalking my prey. And not unlike the vampire, being the hunter is a constant game of strategy, lest the masses gang up and hunt you down. But that's part of the price for being what we are, and deep down inside, it's also part of the thrill.

C'mon, admit it. It's good to be bad.

[ChriSTianity]

What book do you refer to you you say "most offensive name in the book "?? and what makes the word so offensive ?? althou i understand where you are coming from with the whole wolf in sheep thing i do not consider the bible thumpers fair game ,or prey ,you seem to imply a need for the christians least you go hungry ,i prefer a folic with wolves anyday .While it may be good to be bad,, it is much better to be good at being bad ,however you precieve bad to be . BUT i do not think i am a satanist either ,because i have doubt in religion as a whole ,in any conformity. I am a shitty follower ,but that could be the adhd.

[Andrew]

Being called "every name in the book" is a fairly common English expression. Check out this link if you are curious concerning its origins.

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/12/messages/104.html

As per what makes the word "Satan" so offensive, I suppose you have 2000 years of culture to blame for that. I mean, there are a large number of people who cringe when they hear it, and in millions of people it inspires real fear. I take advantage of that.

Regarding the imagery of "wolves and sheep," what I mean is "winners and losers." You can't play the game unless someone loses. That would be the sheep. Nor are the sheep only Christians...I live in Japan, where less than 1% of the population is Christian, and there are still a lot of sheep here.

Finally, I am myself a pretty shitty follower, which is what makes me a Satanist. I don't even acknowledge the Devil; as a LaVeyan, I worship myself.

[Mikie]

lol @ andrew feeling the need to explain something said in pure sarcasm

[Andrew]

Yes. Shame on me for conducting a dialogue.

[xilona]

there is no shame on you ! just a fancy way to describ satanists, Myself I live just close to a christian church and on sunday when I go to the ""provençal"" market I feel real pleasure to walk through the people out of the cathedral like a demon full of power, but it is only for the fun in my head !! so I beleive you are just sliding a bit to far !!!

[Reverend Darkness]

I don't know about you but its not just "Satanist" that can be classified as a Bad guy/girl situation. I myself am not a Satanist in any aspect. I am what I am, A Necromancer Dark Pagan. Ordained in Theology. A Wiccan can say that someone is a "goodguy" apsect, but according to organised religion, Wiccan's are workers of Lucifer as well. So What if we are all outside of the labels and outside of "political rightousness" It all just means the same thing to me. They're all Fruitloops and need their heads examined. But to deem one a "badguy/girl" because of their faith doesn't deem right in that aspect either. I may do things outside of the box and in my own way, but that doesn't make me "Bad" It makes me "Right" and everyone else kooky for doing it another way. That isn't right or wrong, Thats Faith, and everyone has faith a different way.

[Andrew]

I would never deem someone a "Bad Guy" because of their faith. Faith is utterly irrelevant to me. It does not matter one whit what someone believes. It matters what they do. Faith is as meaningless in my book as the type of cola you prefer, or the brand of car you drive.

When I talk about us being the Bad Guy, I mean it in the sense of being the ones who do not Play Nice. Society has conjured up borders, rules, and an endzone for all the good little boys and girls to play in. As Satanists we do not abide by those rules, unless we can use them to take advantage of those who do.

And obviously, we are not "Bad Guys" to each other (wolves are not bad guys to wolves). We are Bad Guys to those billions of lowing, brainwashed cattle out there.

It takes a certain kind of strength to be "bad," I think. It is so much easier to color inside the lines and be "good."

[Paulina]

Thats part of the reason I appreciate MySatan.com so much. It is a place where we all as "Satanists" can come
together to express our beliefs or opinions openly,even if we all dont agree 100 percent of the time.
Ive noticed with the "modern" Satanists,it is more about worshipping themselves then it is about believing a
true deity called Satan exists.
Then there are those of us that prefer to be called Traditional Satanists,mind you I am only using these "labels" as to make my point.. As a Traditonal Satanist,like myself,we do believe in the literal deity called Satan.Then again
even that branches out as well. With the Luciferians,Set,OTNA,etc.
The labels must be used to a small degree to clarify ones position but it isnt everything,
Whats important is that we all can come together on some common ground and unify.
Obviously I cannnot speak for everyone,I can only state my views. However,I feel fairly confident that most on this
site would agree with what Ive expressed thus far.
It is essential that we do unify even if the "exacts" differ to some degree. We as "Satanists" must come together
against the oppression of most organized religious corporations. We must become strong and the only way to do that is not to be at odds with one another. but to agree to gather against the ones we would consider "the wolves".

Who are "the wolves"?
Any one or group that tells us we have to believe as them or we will all be tortured somewhere in the comos
for eternity. "The wolves" are the organized religious monopolies in this country. That of Xtanity and Islam,etc.
The religious sects that tell others to conform and only believe as they do,they are "the wolves" in this society!
Oppression,guilt,and fear being the tools to keep others blinded to their activites. Such hypocrisy!

Well anyway,thats my two cents worth....

Ave Satanas! Ascheri di baal chaschoke!

Paulina(xs8nzpetx)

[Andrew]

While I understand your point--and recognize MySatan as a venue for polite discussion--I must admit I completely (and respectfully) disagree. Strongly.

I joined the Church of Satan officially 18 years ago, but have been a Satanist for some time even before that. I did so because I agree whole heartedly with your assessment of organized religions. They are indeed a gang of bullies. But bullies, as we all well know, are made up of the weak and the stupid, who band together to try and prop up their damaged egos. Being neither weak not stupid, I do what I please and defy the bullies to stop me.

It is irrelevant what a Satanist "believes." I have no argument with Theistic Satanists, despite the fact that in all my years of Black Magic I have never met the fellow, but I would submit to them that what defines you as a Satanist is not your beliefs but your actions. This is the distinguishing factor between "prayer" and "magic." Any Satanist worth his or her salt (or should I say "brimstone"?) understands the use of Lesser Magic--the manipulation of others through guile. The application of Lesser Magic (often in conjunction with Greater) is all that is needed to stay one step ahead of your religious monopolies.

In short, anyone who has enough intelligence to recognize the sickness and deceit of organized religions should have the brains to out wit them.

With all due respect, Paulina (and I sincerely hope that despite the strength of my convictions you understand I do not condemn you at all) the picture you eloquently paint is that of the Christians under the Romans, hiding together in the catacombs, persecuted by the Romans. They eventually came together with the all too human and quite predictable result...the persecuted became the bullies. As what you call a "Modern" Satanist (a label I am slightly uncomfortable with on historical grounds), I have no desire to lurk in the catacombs looking for society with those of my kind. I would prefer to believe what I believe, and live alongside the Romans in their palaces, moving amongst them and doing as I choose.

So while I feel MySatan is a wonderful place for intellectual discussion, as a Satanist I have no desire to exchange being part of one herd for another, which I feel would be the unfortunate conclusion of Satanists coming together. We are all better than that.

Or at least we all can be.

[David Alan Cohen]

[ The Wolf amongst the Multitudes ]

Taking all the various Satanic approaches aside the point in the discussion topic here would be more clearly understood as "Antinomianism" - going against the grain. Even within the ebb and flow of societal interactions one can (albeit ever quietly so and in an air of intelligent subterfuge) be and act as the ' unmoved-mover '.

"Now you will be left to yourself. You must perceive yourself as a center of strength and know the action that is no longer dictated by this or that object, but for the sake of itself. You will no longer be moved: detached, you will move." - Julius Evola

The Wolf has always been the epitome of wile and hence his cousin of sorts being ascribed as the "wiley coyote". Even in the childhood tale of "Little Red Riding Hood" there is an example of this.

Let us place the discussion in simply the context of Left Hand Path.

It is none the less a stance of distinction in one respect or another. This very distinction IS what can in many instances provide the Antinomian'ist (of whatever stripe) with being in a position of derision, and that, even IF you do not ' wear your colors ' outright. Actions speak louder than words.

On a personal note, I teach by example via integration. To do otherwise is to risk my position in social circles that benefit me. Education of individuals ' on a purely human level ' is well purposed as it motivates productive psychological cycles for one's machinations. However, this to be done with forethought in respects to the possible ramifications of one's actions.

In a jungle system, the human one, it is one's modus operandi which eventually ' Wills-out '. Every action has an equal or opposite re-action.

There are MANY in one's day to day who utilize the power OF manipulation, lest not under or even in recognition of that which is understood in Left Hand Path circles as ' lesser magick ' and this despite they're sujective, psychological, ideological or organizational affiliations.

The key here is that a spade IS a spade by whatever defining factor. When the perception of such is lost one runs the risk of becoming the prey.

In Closing:

Assume Formlessness; "By taking a shape, by having a visible plan, you open yourself to attack. Instead of taking a form for your enemy to grasp, keep yourself adaptable and on the move. Accept the fact that nothing is certain and no law is fixed. The best way to protect yourself is to be as fluid and formless as water; never bet on stability or lasting order. Everything changes." - 48 Laws of Power; Greene & Elffers

- David Alan Cohen







A blacksmith's ' tools ' work for, not against them. In this respect I would never - "smarten up a chump" as the inevitable effect is usually that the inferior will delineate in a detractional manner against their superior.

[Andrew]

I usually come at this from the perspective of "man the animal," having never seen compelling evidence that the human organism is anything beyond that. Thus I am about to support David's philosophical stance via basic biology.

To be a successful hunter is to be subtle. He gets near his prey unseen and strikes before the victim is any wiser. Being a public Satanist is to advertise your presence to the prey, and to make yourself a weak hunter. As I have said, your beliefs are your beliefs, and are ultimately irrelevant to your ability to be a Satanist. Whether or not you believe in the Devil or (as myself) view him as a symbol of the ego, the way the game is played stays the same.

Which was in part my point. There are many Satanists saying "we should have the right to be open and public and proud of what we are." My question is "why?" Not "why should we HAVE the right" but rather "why should we WANT it." I feel that there are many who want to wear their pentagrams and Baphomets to work every day the way a Christian wears the cross, for all to see. But I fail to see what this gains us. If we act just like the herd we become just another herd.

Thus I advocate the Bad Guy stance...which David rightly refers to as "antinomianism." My stance is elitist, it demands a lot of you, and it isn't for the faint of heart. You may well ask why we should need to prey on the herd at all, but my response is that this is percisely how human society functions...we use each other to get what we want.

I hold a very respectable position in real life, and I did not get to where I am by being a nice guy. I did it by beating out the other fellows who wanted the job. I believe that part of my edge was my antinomianism, my willingness to win rather than be liked.

When it is advantageous for me to be a Satanist (publically) I am. When it is not, I am not. I do not have a god demanding I be a martyr to him. After all, Satan can take the form of "an angel of light" if it suits his purposes, so why can't I? Being a full time public Satanist deprives me of a very useful weapon...surprise.

[David Alan Cohen]

[ Life as a Harsh Reality ]

I hold firm to a merit system based wholly on individual worth rather than a collective superimposition of the same based on affilliations. There is no automatic elitism and if there is to be any higher standard or precedent at all, it is through one's hard won efforts alone via the blood and sweat of one's own perseverence. And so it is that the world works in exactly such a manner. Cold, cruel and uncaring. It is a harsh reality.

At all levels of existence there is stratification, it is as the never-ending ebb & flow of nature itself, to think otherwise is being naive or foolish at best and utterly ignorant of the laws of nature at the worst.

There is no blanket, there is no comforter, other than those with which one creates of they're own accord. The saftey nets we weave are our own, the objectification of a blanket reality outside of this is simply a subjective imposition upon that same cold harsh reality being a passifier in ignorance of one's own self-deceit.

Self-deceit is not self-awareness, it is a negation of that very thing. Clarity comes with accepting the world which IS and then working within the same towards eventually creating, nurishing and sustaining a life (one's life) in the world in a manner which is best suitable to one's particular needs, wants and desires.

In many ways one should be quite mercenary in regard to how such is approached, however that does not negate such things as simple respect and decency as due, when and should they be, as determined on an ' individual basis ' of merit.

I have met individuals in my life who are more cunning and devious than any so-called ' Satanist ', they have my respect. By positioning myself near them, and not in opposition to them, I place myself in close quarters to which I may learn from them.

In the same vein I have met self-proclaimed arm-sleeve wearing ' Satanists ' who I watch from a distance NEVER revealing my Satanic affections.

Why one might ask?

Well if you have to ask...

adui '

- David Alan Cohen