Satanism: Like I've Never Seen It Before - Todd Strandberg - http://www.raptureready.com/rap16.html
The Satanism category has been part of the Rapture Index ever since I formed the list back in 1987. In all this time, Satanism has never been ranked higher than a rating of three. Over the past few months, a flood of news stories about devil worship has brought the rating up to four.
In May, there was an outrage when Harvard University agreed to host a black mass. The Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club claimed its goal was to: "Learn and experience the history of different cultural practices." An outcry from the Catholic Church forced the event to move off campus.
The New York based Satanic Temple has been the most active Satanist group in America. They came into the public view in January of 2013, when they showed up at Florida's capitol to encourage students pray to Lucifer. The Satanic Temple has recently made news by announcing its plans to open a chapter in Detroit.
The group has even stepped into the gay marriage debate by offering to perform same-sex weddings in the state of Michigan with the intention of having the union recognized under the First Amendment's protection of religious freedom.
The Satanic Temple has been lobbying to erect a bronze statue of Baphomet, a bearded, goat-headed demon deity, posing with two children in Oklahoma City. The move is in response to Christians posting the Ten Commandments at the capitol building. The statue of Baphomet is still under construction and completion is anticipated by the 1st of October.
Another Satanist group has also caused trouble in Oklahoma City. Dakhma of Angra Mainyu said it will be holding a black mass on Sept. 21, 2014. Its black mass will be a "tamer" version. For example, vinegar will be substituted for all acts involving urine. Since bloodletting does not comply with Parks and Recreation rules, it will also be missing from the satanic ceremony. All 88 tickets to the event held at the theater in the city's civic center have been sold.
Canada has not been spared from the rash of Satanism. Last week, a nine-foot tall statue of Satan mysteriously appeared in Vancouver overnight. The bright red statue depicted a nude Satan with one hand raised, giving the "sign of the devil." The Satan statue was quickly taken down, but not before receiving wide media coverage which was generally positive.
Finding a Satanist who actually worships Satan is quite rare. Most don't even believe he exists. Like atheism, this religion is comprised almost entirely of their hatred of all things Christian. Satanists argue that the Bible is the root of the world's problems, and the rejection of Christianity is the pathway to a utopian society.
Christians have a long history of being suckers for anyone who claims to be a former Satanist. When I was a young believer, I remember a series of people who specialized in warning that Satan and his minions were plotting to take over America. The devil must of had a good laugh when the vast majority of these ex-Satanists were proven to be spectacular liars.
Even the most basic form of fact checking would have uncovered their dishonesty. When conspiracy theorist, John Wayne Todd, made the rounds in evangelical Christian circles saying that Jim Bakker, Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, Bob Jones, Sr. and Pat Robertson were part of a vast satanic plot, few people questioned his information. He claimed to have provided the seed money for Christian rock music so as to entrap youth with its "demonic beat." He also predicted that U.S. President Jimmy Carter was the Antichrist.
John's career came to a sudden end when he was arrested for the rape of a University of South Carolina graduate student, and the sexually molesting two children. Despite the fact that John Wayne Todd was found to be mentally unfit and guilty of multiple sex crimes, people continue to quote him as an authority on Satanism (more demonic laughter).
There is little chance that Satanism will ever attract large numbers of followers. You can't build a religion on Western civilization's most notorious evil character. Satanism is for people who think they're rebels.
The rise of Satanism is useful in measuring the spiritual state of our nation. People turning to the dark arts because of Satan's influence over the world is becoming stronger.
In the end, Satanism is not part of the devil's master plan. When the Antichrist-the greatest Satanist of all time-rises on the scene, he will be welcomed as an angel that has the answer to all of mankind's problems. But it won't be until the midpoint of the Tribulation that he will show his horns.
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:13-14).
"For there shall arise false Christ's, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matthew 24:24).
The Satanism category has been part of the Rapture Index ever since I formed the list back in 1987. In all this time, Satanism has never been ranked higher than a rating of three. Over the past few months, a flood of news stories about devil worship has brought the rating up to four.
In May, there was an outrage when Harvard University agreed to host a black mass. The Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club claimed its goal was to: "Learn and experience the history of different cultural practices." An outcry from the Catholic Church forced the event to move off campus.
The New York based Satanic Temple has been the most active Satanist group in America. They came into the public view in January of 2013, when they showed up at Florida's capitol to encourage students pray to Lucifer. The Satanic Temple has recently made news by announcing its plans to open a chapter in Detroit.
The group has even stepped into the gay marriage debate by offering to perform same-sex weddings in the state of Michigan with the intention of having the union recognized under the First Amendment's protection of religious freedom.
The Satanic Temple has been lobbying to erect a bronze statue of Baphomet, a bearded, goat-headed demon deity, posing with two children in Oklahoma City. The move is in response to Christians posting the Ten Commandments at the capitol building. The statue of Baphomet is still under construction and completion is anticipated by the 1st of October.
Another Satanist group has also caused trouble in Oklahoma City. Dakhma of Angra Mainyu said it will be holding a black mass on Sept. 21, 2014. Its black mass will be a "tamer" version. For example, vinegar will be substituted for all acts involving urine. Since bloodletting does not comply with Parks and Recreation rules, it will also be missing from the satanic ceremony. All 88 tickets to the event held at the theater in the city's civic center have been sold.
Canada has not been spared from the rash of Satanism. Last week, a nine-foot tall statue of Satan mysteriously appeared in Vancouver overnight. The bright red statue depicted a nude Satan with one hand raised, giving the "sign of the devil." The Satan statue was quickly taken down, but not before receiving wide media coverage which was generally positive.
Finding a Satanist who actually worships Satan is quite rare. Most don't even believe he exists. Like atheism, this religion is comprised almost entirely of their hatred of all things Christian. Satanists argue that the Bible is the root of the world's problems, and the rejection of Christianity is the pathway to a utopian society.
Christians have a long history of being suckers for anyone who claims to be a former Satanist. When I was a young believer, I remember a series of people who specialized in warning that Satan and his minions were plotting to take over America. The devil must of had a good laugh when the vast majority of these ex-Satanists were proven to be spectacular liars.
Even the most basic form of fact checking would have uncovered their dishonesty. When conspiracy theorist, John Wayne Todd, made the rounds in evangelical Christian circles saying that Jim Bakker, Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, Bob Jones, Sr. and Pat Robertson were part of a vast satanic plot, few people questioned his information. He claimed to have provided the seed money for Christian rock music so as to entrap youth with its "demonic beat." He also predicted that U.S. President Jimmy Carter was the Antichrist.
John's career came to a sudden end when he was arrested for the rape of a University of South Carolina graduate student, and the sexually molesting two children. Despite the fact that John Wayne Todd was found to be mentally unfit and guilty of multiple sex crimes, people continue to quote him as an authority on Satanism (more demonic laughter).
There is little chance that Satanism will ever attract large numbers of followers. You can't build a religion on Western civilization's most notorious evil character. Satanism is for people who think they're rebels.
The rise of Satanism is useful in measuring the spiritual state of our nation. People turning to the dark arts because of Satan's influence over the world is becoming stronger.
In the end, Satanism is not part of the devil's master plan. When the Antichrist-the greatest Satanist of all time-rises on the scene, he will be welcomed as an angel that has the answer to all of mankind's problems. But it won't be until the midpoint of the Tribulation that he will show his horns.
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:13-14).
"For there shall arise false Christ's, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matthew 24:24).
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