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To: alt.satanism
From: nemoiii@aol.com (NEMO III)
Subject: Nemo's MFMFAQ
Date: 31 Dec 1994 01:49:48 -0500

Nemo's MFMFAQ (My Four Most Frequently Asked Questions).

Q1: WHO OR WHAT IS SATAN?

A1: Satan, like all gods, demons, angels, spirits, elves, ghosts and the
Easter Bunny, is a fictitional, mythological invention from the mind of
man.  

Q2: WHAT IS SATANISM?

A2: Satanism is the formalized religion based upon *The Satanic Bible*
first published in 1969.  Like Theradeva Buddhism, the religion of
Satanism denies the existence of any external objective gods or other
fantastic supernatural entities and strives to assist members to outgrow
the psychological detriments which arise from the belief in such
non-existent entities (such as reduced self-esteem and reduced personal
autonomy).  

It is important to understand that religion is not limited to belief in
supernatural entities but is derived in its meaning from its Latin root
meaning "to bind back to".  In the case of the religion of Satanism, the
individual is "binding back to" reality as it is, rather than
superstitious fantasy.

Q3: CAN ONE BE A SATANIST WITHOUT BELIEVING IN THE EXISTENCE OF SATAN?

The character of Satan, a mythological invention, possesses several
admirable qualities not the least of which is an unwillingness to worship
God (or, by extension, other supernatural entitites).  Thus, Satanists
emulate the fictional Satan, rather than worship him.  If Satan *did*
exist, it is quite obvious that he would hold in disdain those who would
attempt to worship or obey him.  Satan represents the ultimate rebel and
prideful individualist.  Traditionally Satan went to war against God
because he would *not* worship God or anyone else.  Thus, like his
mythological namesake, the Satanist rejects all external god-worship or
obediance and refuses to bow before anything or anyone.

In other words, *it doesn't matter* whether or not Satan exists.  It *is*
important whether or not any individual has the good sense to *doubt*
rather than to believe in such an entity.  

Q3: THEN ISN'T A SATANIST JUST AN ATHEIST PRETENDING TO BE SOMETHING HE
ISN'T?

A3:   Beyond the level of realizing the non-existence of all supernatural
entities, Satanism advocates that the individual identify the traditional
role played by God (the supreme being in one's life) and assume that role
for oneself.  Thus, Satanism could parody the first of the Hebrew Ten
Commandments as, ""You are the Lord, Your God.  You shall have no other
gods before thee."  

Satanism clearly identifies the con game of all religions through the
centuries as first relying upon belief to undermine the ability of the
individual to think for himself.  Thus Satanism advocates *doubt* instead
of belief or faith.  In short, in carnival lingo, Satanism is not for the
"marks."  Satanists are supposed to not be the dupes and freeing oneself
from the major con game of belief in God/Satan/Easter Bunny is a major
step in that direction.  

In short, "Satanism is not believing the bullshit!" (-Anton LaVey).

Satanism is based upon *dount*, not belief.

Q4: WHAT ABOUT ORGANIZATIONS OTHER THAN THE CHURCH OF SATAN WHO CLAIM THEY
REPRESENT SATANISM AND *DO* BELIEVE IN THE DEVIL AS A REAL BEING?

A4:  The firm and unyielding position of the Church of Satan is that *The
Satanic Bible* defines in no uncertain terms what Satanism is and isn't. 
Before its publication there were only the ephemeral claims of underground
groups who did not publically declare and effectively disseminate their
personal views.  Today, *The Satanic Bible* (along with several companion
texts such as *The Satanic Rituals*,  *The Satanic Witch*, *The Church of
Satan*, and others) has been in continuous publication in major bookstores
worldwide for over twenty-five years.  

*The Satanic Bible* is the touchstone for declaring and defining Satanism
to the world for a quarter century and dwarfs into nonexistence any
alternative views by force of mass communication.  History is written by
the victors and the "war" over defining Satanism was won years ago through
the overpowering success of the international distribution of this book
available even to this day!  

Finally, those groups who align themselves with Satanism while espousing
personal deviant beliefs (such as a firm belief in an objective Devil) are
tolerated and even encouraged by the Church of Satan if they do not
attempt to undermine Satanism itself.  Even the most ignorant person who
has the guts to shake his fist and declare himself a Satanist, is
encouraged by the Church of Satan.  That gesture of defiance against the
god-believers of the world places that person in essential alignment with
the fundamentals of Satanism.  It is the first step and, perhaps, the most
important step!

It is those individuals or groups who will *attack* the fundamentals of
Satanism and attempt to infiltrate and undermine its principles which we
do and will continue to oppose.  

If you want to advocate religious belief in supernatural entities, we will
oppose you.

If you want to promote religious martyrdom instead of rational
self-interest, we will oppose you.

If you want to declare that earthly achievements are inferior to mystical
nonsense, we will oppose you.

If you want to re-invent Satanism as just another white light religion, we
will oppose you.

And we will oppose you without having to lift a finger, without having to
publically attack you, without even having to address your
self-contradictory irrationalities.  We will only have to wait until you
finally live long enough to perhaps someday realize that *The Satanic
Bible* is the internationally accepted Bible of Satanism.  (That is, after
all, why it's called the *Bible*).  

On the day you come to realize that every word you have ever spoken or
written to oppose us is less in number than the number of our Bibles that
were read for the first time by a curious mind in a single month, when you
realize that by sheer force of numbers of membership and published works
that your every effort to subvert or redefine Satanism has been wasted
effort, on that possible day the door remains open for *you* to begin to
privately *practise* the elements of Satanism and do something useful to
forward your personal happiness and fulfillment "not in an intangible
paradise, but in" ... *reality*!

Satanism does not require converts nor popularity.  Satanism is a set of
principles, which, when applied by an individual to his life, enables him
to more easily get what he wants from life to better enjoy his life. 
Satanism is a religion because we do have a God: the individual who takes
that position in his own life!  

Real Satanism works.  The other stuff doesn't.  (A simple test).

If you are willing to accept the necessary responsibility and work smart
(i.e., Satanically), you will not only understand what Satanism, but what
it can mean for you.  You will discover the joy of being a true God on
earth.

The choice is always yours.

Now get to work!

Happy New Year!
XXX Anno Satanas!
Thirty years of Satanism on Earth!

HAIL SATAN!

Nemo
Priest
Church of Satan