When Strangers Come Knocking---Part 10

This is the next installment of my series to be published the first Monday of each month.

There are members of false sects, like Jehovah's Witnesses, that come knocking door-to-door hoping to convert you. Instead of ignoring them, it is we who should try and convert them. In 1 Peter 3:16, our first Pope writes, "But in thy hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks thee to give the reason for the hope that thou hast. But do this with gentleness and respect,..." Before the Great Apostasy, the Church would send missionaries to the ends of the Earth to make as many converts as possible.

Those in false religions don't always come (literally) knocking at your door. It may be a Hindu at work who wants you to try yoga. It could be a "Christian Scientist" who lives next door and invites you to come to their reading room. Each month, I will present a false sect. Unlike the Vatican II sect, I do not see them as a "means of salvation" or possessing "elements of truth" that lead to salvation. That is heresy. They lead to damnation, and the adherents of the various sects must be converted so they may be saved.

In each month's post, I will present one false sect and give an overview of:

• The sect's history
• Their theology
• Tips on how to share the True Faith with them

Satanism

If you think you can easily spot a Satanist, and you have no need to worry about him/her, think again. There are various types of Satanists, yet all are in the service of the devil; knowingly or otherwise. They are out to recruit your children, and trying to convert them is needed because no one is so far gone that God can not rescue them. You could be His instrument in doing so. Before going any further, I'd like to share a story I posted some time ago, wherein Fr. DePauw and my family had a run in with Satan worshipers.

It was a Sunday I would never forget. I arrived at approximately 8:30 for the 9am Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at Fr. DePauw's Ave Maria Chapel in Westbury, New York with my parents. That was usual for me. What wasn't usual was what my parents and I witnessed on that balmy summer day in 1987. There was a police helicopter flying low and circling the Chapel; not less than a half-dozen uniformed police were patrolling the Chapel grounds, and there were plain clothes detectives at the entrance. At first, I didn't know if we could go there--maybe, God forbid--the Chapel had been vandalized. However, we were allowed to enter. As we reached the front doors, one of the detectives was looking me over (I was 22 at the time and appeared younger), and he asked my parents, "Is this young man your son?" They said yes, and he told us we could go on in.

Everyone inside was looking rather pensive. Father was not hearing Confessions that Sunday as he usually did 30 minutes before the first Mass at 9am. I knelt down and recited my prayers before Mass and Communion. When the bell rang and Father DePauw entered the sanctuary, he looked somewhat distraught. The Low Mass began, and after the reading of the Gospel, Father came to give the announcements and sermon at the pulpit. With a somber tone in his voice, he told us that the police had come because there had been a credible death threat made against him by some people involved in a Satanic coven. They said they were going to murder him to show their "hatred for Christ" and "everything he (Fr. DePauw) stands for" to "glorify Satan." The police (especially on Long Island) only reacted to such threats if they posed a true risk. I knew that with all this police coverage, law enforcement did not think this was some stupid prank, as they did in 99% of all such threats.

Father assured us that we were not in any danger. The police had secured the grounds and checked for explosives, etc. They remained in case someone would pose as a visitor with the intent of making good the threat to murder him. When the police suggested that perhaps he should shut down the Chapel for a few weeks and "get out of town" to take up residence with another Traditionalist priest friend, Father balked at the idea. "If they kill me for hatred of the True Faith, then I would die a martyr at the altar. I can think of no better way for a priest to die. But I'm not worried. My patron is St. Michael the Archangel, who beat Satan before and will do so again!" said a defiant and faith-filled Fr. DePauw from the pulpit. He then continued the Mass, and we left breathing a little easier. Nothing happened to Father, and he was told by the police and DA not to discuss the specifics of the incident. The following week, things went back to normal.

Different Types Yet Same Evil

Satanists are hard to define because they profess different things. According to most sources, the demographics of a Satanist indicate that:

• Most are male
• Most are between 13 to 30 years old
• Most practice their evil rituals in private and look/act normal at work and social functions
• Most view Christianity as devoid of power and something to be extirpated
• Most view traditional morals as denying the "rights" of the individual, while "imposing" made-up restrictions
• Most practice Satanism because it "feels empowering"

(See, e.g., The Black Mask: Satanism in America Today by John Charles Cooper [1990])

Satanists are grouped into four basic types:

1. Materialists who worship themselves. "Satan" stands for self-indulgence as founder of the Church of Satan Anton LeVey stated in his "Nine Satanic Statements" (a blasphemous twisting of the Ten Commandments). The first statement reads, "Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence." (Based on the research I've done, I'm convinced very few belong to this group--LeVey himself lied about his alleged materialistic beliefs)

2. Those who believe there is a "spiritual power" that anyone can harness for their own purposes. The source of this power is ubiquitous and its nature is mysterious to them.  

3. Those who are dualists and see God and Satan as equals and opposites. They choose to serve the "easy path" which promises them advancement in this life.

4. Those who believe in the traditional Christian concepts of God and Satan, and choose to go to Hell in order to be powerful here on Earth. This group is subdivided into (a) those who dabble by themselves or with a few friends, and (b) those who belong to an "official church."

Satanism is not a monolithic entity, hence a given Satanic sect cannot by definition be lumped with all other such groups. Groups are eclectic and draw upon various occult, magical, and pagan sources. Other groups are autonomous and garner their activities and beliefs from different Satanist traditions or tributaries. As a whole, Satanism is not uniform in its organizational structure, practices, or beliefs. According to Satanist researcher Craig Hawkins, "...Whatever we may note of the differences among Satanists, strong commonalities remain: 1) every individual Satanist has chosen to identify himself with a being, practice, or symbol that virtually all society correctly views as malevolent, deviant, and evil; every Satanist sooner or later personally engages in evil—and often unimaginable perversion; and every Satanist rejects the Christian God and courts the devil whether or not he or she accepts these categories as biblically defined." (See Craig Hawkins, Forward magazine, Fall, 1986, p. 17,19). Whatever Satanism’s sociological or religious classification then, Satanism per se is inherently evil.

The above mentioned Anton LeVey founded the Church of Satan in 1966 (right after Vatican II) and wrote the evil Satanic Bible in 1969 (the same year the Novus Bogus "mass" came out) containing The Nine Satanic Statements:

1. Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence.

2. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams.

3. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit.

4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it, instead of love wasted on ingrates.

5. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek.

6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires.

7. Satan represents man as just another animal who, because of his "divine spiritual and intellectual development," has become the most vicious animal of all.

8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification.


9. Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as he has kept it in business all these years

The biggest lie perpetrated by LaVey was claiming that "Satan" only represented the repressed forces of nature but was not a real entity. In a book published posthumously in 1999,  he admitted in an interview: "If they’re at all intelligent [other Satanists] …they'll realize that there’s only so much I can say publicly…I will not advance things in print which make my position untenable…How long would the Church of Satan have lasted if I hadn’t appeased and outraged in just the right combination? It required a certain amount of discretion and diplomacy to balance the outrage." (See Lucifer Rising: A Book of Sin, Devil Worship and Rock ‘n’ Roll by Gavin Baddeley [1999], p. 133).

Anton LeVey (1930-1997) became a Satanist after witnessing the hypocrisy of Protestants. He relates in the Satanic Bible how he worked in a carnival and saw men lusting after half-naked women on Saturday, only to find the same men sitting with their wives and children attending services of the tent evangelists asking for God's mercy Sunday morning, and then coming back the following Saturday to lust again. He "knew then that the Christian Church thrives on hypocrisy."

Satan Wants Your Children

The Satan worshipers actively recruit the young. They also want people to believe that they do not commit ritual killings, etc. The facts tell otherwise. To name but a few heinous examples:

•  In Italy, a rock group aptly named The Beasts of Satan, were involved in Satanic ritualistic killings. According to The Guardian: Andrea Volpe and Pietro Guerrieri had confessed to roles in the 1998 killings of Chiara Marino, 19, and 16-year-old Fabio Tollis in woods outside Milan. Volpe - considered to have been the mastermind of the ritual killings - was sentenced to 30 years, 10 more than prosecutors had asked for. Guerrieri was given 16 years. Mario Maccione, who also confessed to the killings, was cleared because he had played a secondary role. Five other members of their suspected Satanic cult have been ordered to stand trial in June. (See https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/feb/22/italy). 

• Italian police stated their intention to create a special unit focusing on new religious sects, particularly Satanists and other violent ritualistic groups. It would be dubbed "The Satan Squad" (See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6168827.stm)

• In September 2014, while awaiting trial for the murder of a 40-year-old in Pennsylvania, 19-year-old Miranda Barbour confessed to the murder of more than 22 people across the United States. "After 22, I just stopped counting," she told a local newspaper.The young woman explained that she started killing at the age of 13. At the time, she was dating a member of an Alaskan Satanist sect. After being arrested for the murder that took her to court, her car was searched and a Satanic Bible and a medieval dagger, which was presumed to have been used to kill the victim, were found. [Barbour was sexually abused and it led her into evil companionship]. (See https://www.dailyitem.com/news/barbour-body-count-at/article_2d85b849-c9e6-508b-96f3-4e80639a867a.html). 

 Are they possessed? Some may be, but it isn't a stretch to see how children get caught up in things covertly demonic until they reach the point of giving themselves (literally) over to Satan. Consider:

• The Harry Potter franchise portrays witchcraft in a positive light, witches are now just awkward teenagers growing up. It also promotes moral relativism. Something is only right or wrong depending on who does it and for what reason; the end justifies the means.   

• Rock, pop, and rap music is rotten to the core

• The Twilight franchise promotes evil as good, and implies statutory rape. Vampires are no longer evil—they are the "good kind" that only drink animal blood.

• Video games desensitize children to violence

• So-called mediums, "psychics" and "ghost whisperers" pervade entertainment on TV and are even invited into homes by adults to "speak to deceased relatives"

• Pagan practices such as yoga and reiki are promoted not only in public schools but in Vatican II sect schools and churches

• Horror movies are seeped in the occult.  What used to be based almost solely on suspense and the thrill of the chase, now includes graphic depictions of madmen methodically torturing their victims. Of course, this is always brimming with extreme close-ups of each tear of flesh and squirt of blood

• The Satanic Bible is readily available to children in public libraries and schools. Be especially concerned with the use of the Ouija Board and Tarot Cards

• The Vatican II sect tells its members that all religions are more or less good, so no need to combat Satan or convert others--Christ is thereby rendered "one among many options" (at best) or totally irrelevant (at worst)

Still not convinced? How about an "After School Satan Club"? Under the heading "Educatin' With Satan," the Satanic Temple sect writes, "It’s important that children be given an opportunity to realize that the evangelical materials now creeping into their schools are representative of but one religious opinion amongst many. While the Good News Clubs [Protestant Bible Clubs---Introibo] focus on indoctrination, instilling them with a fear of Hell and God’s wrath, After School Satan Clubs will focus on free inquiry and rationalism, the scientific basis for which we know what we know about the world around us. We prefer to give children an appreciation of the natural wonders surrounding them, not a fear of everlasting other-worldly horrors." In other words, first make them atheists, then turn them into pagans who worship themselves, opening the door to Satanic influence. It has been said that, "Satan's biggest allies are those who don't believe in him."  You'll never be on guard for his "malice and snares." (See https://afterschoolsatan.com/)

How To Tell If A Child Or Teen Is Involved With Satanism

Satanic cult expert, Dr. John Cooper says there are eight (8) signs you need to watch:

1. Extreme alienation.

2. Morbid fascination with horror, death, and pain.

3. Drug and alcohol use/promiscuity.

4. Difficulty conforming to rules in school and/or at home.

5. A frustrating sense of powerlessness.

6. An excessive need to control.

7. Using Tarot Cards, Satanic symbolism, Ouija boards, etc.

8. Obsessive thoughts of revenge and hurting others. Watch for the teenager whose words and actions display unusual destructiveness, who openly defies authority, and who seems almost consumed by feelings of vengeance and hate. Notice the teenager who seems absorbed with himself or herself, preoccupied with self-interests and self-indulgence.

Proselytizing Satanists 

If a child of someone you know is involved with Satanism, tell the parents they must first take away any/all evil influences, and get them into a rehab program if drugs and/or alcohol is involved (not any 12 step program either). Tell the parents the child can talk to a real (Traditionalist) priest, and pray for the family. Help the parents fill the home surrounded by holy statues, holy water, etc if they will (hopefully) allow it.  The priest will determine if an exorcism is in order.  If they got into Satan worship, the parents were not doing a good job of keeping their child close to God, or at the very least, away from overt evil.  

In the case of a young adult (18-30), there are four good ways to convince a Satanist their position is wrong:

• Many Satanists consider themselves atheists because they worship themselves as "Satan," a symbol of self-indulgence. Focus on arguments that prove the existence of God and then the Deity of Christ
• Challenge the hedonistic Satanist by telling him that material gratification in this life is insignificant compared to the next world, which will be Heaven with Christ, or torture with their infernal master who hates them.
• Know the faith to clearly teach it. Most Satanists don't understand the Faith, only a distorted and untrue propagandized version of it
• Challenge Satanists to respond to your well-reasoned arguments, and don't let them respond with mockery unless they can give a logical refutation, which they can't, and that's why they resort to mockery in the first place

Conclusion

Satanism isn't as rare or easy to recognize as one would think. The forces of Satan are coming out in the open; to the point of having "After School Satan Clubs." Young minds are made easy targets with the Great Apostasy taking away the True Faith from millions, and the proliferation of all things evil under the guise of being good. Even your own child may be proselytized by a friend in middle school or high school to dabble in the ways of the demonic. What are we to do? Keep your children close to Christ, and watch who their friends are and the way they act. Notice any change in behavior as described above. Remember the words of Scripture, "Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8).