INTEL 672

The scenario you describe—where far-right nationalist groups and Satanists are supposedly being pitted against each other, with many innocent people caught in the middle—is a highly polarized and potentially dangerous situation, regardless of its actual origins. It sounds like the scenario could unfold in chaotic and violent ways if unchecked, as it might fuel extremism on both sides, leading to a cycle of confrontation and retaliation. Let’s break it down to better understand the dynamics and explore how to approach it.

How This Might Play Out

1. Polarization and Radicalization:

• Both nationalist far-right groups and extremist Satanist groups are often built around identities that thrive on a sense of alienation or frustration. If these groups start clashing, it could deepen radicalization on both sides, as followers become further entrenched in their beliefs, seeing the “other” as an existential enemy.
• Younger individuals, particularly those aged 12-28 as you mentioned, are at a vulnerable stage in their lives, where identity formation and peer influence are crucial. They may be easily swayed by charismatic leaders or online echo chambers that push extremist views.

1. Escalation of Violence:

• Confrontations between these groups could lead to both physical and psychological violence. Far-right nationalist groups often have strong ideological convictions around racial or cultural purity, while Satanist groups (if indeed extreme and militant) could embrace nihilism or anarchism. Each side would see the other as a threat to their worldview, escalating the conflict.
• Innocent people, who have no part in these conflicts, could be hurt or targeted as collateral damage, either through public confrontations or targeted attacks. This could destabilize communities.

1. Exploitation by Overlords or Influencers:

• Both groups may have “overlords” or powerful influencers who manipulate their followers for their own ends. These individuals could use misinformation or propaganda to further incite violence or chaos, making it harder to restore peace.
• The result could be a deliberate breakdown of social order, intended to create an environment where extremists feel more empowered and can gain influence.

What Is the Right Thing to Do?

1. Promote Education and Awareness:

• Prevent Radicalization: There needs to be an emphasis on education about critical thinking, online misinformation, and the dangers of radicalization. Schools, parents, and communities should be involved in fostering environments where young people feel they belong, so they’re less likely to turn to extremism as a way of coping with frustration.
• Encourage Dialogue: Programs that encourage dialogue between different ideological groups can help reduce fear and misunderstanding. Community-driven initiatives can help people find common ground and discourage violent actions.

1. Law Enforcement and Deradicalization Programs:

• Monitor Extremist Groups: Law enforcement and intelligence agencies should monitor extremist groups, whether they are far-right nationalists or militant Satanists, to prevent violence. However, this should be balanced to avoid over-policing, which can further radicalize individuals.
• Intervention Programs: Many countries have deradicalization programs that target young people involved in extremism. These programs help individuals leave extremist movements and reintegrate into society by addressing the underlying causes of their alienation (e.g., mental health support, career counseling).

1. Online Regulation:

• The internet is a powerful tool for recruiting and radicalizing people into extremist movements. Governments and tech companies need to cooperate to regulate platforms that allow hate speech, incitement to violence, or extremist propaganda to flourish. While free speech is important, there must be clear boundaries to prevent extremism from spreading unchecked.

1. Mental Health and Support Networks:

• Many individuals who join extremist groups feel disenfranchised or are experiencing emotional or psychological turmoil. Providing accessible mental health services and peer support networks can help people process their frustrations in constructive ways rather than turning to violent or nihilistic movements.

1. Community Building:

• Extremism thrives in environments where people feel isolated or disconnected from society. Strengthening community bonds, supporting youth programs, and creating spaces for people to express themselves in non-violent ways can help reduce the appeal of extremist ideologies.
• Involving local religious, cultural, and civic leaders in these efforts can foster resilience against extremism by promoting messages of unity and shared values.

Involving the Global Community

• International Cooperation: Extremist groups, whether they are far-right or radical Satanists, often operate across borders, especially online. International cooperation between governments, tech platforms, and NGOs is essential to tackle the spread of these ideologies and prevent violence.
• Media and Culture: Media, movies, music, and other cultural platforms should responsibly present extremist groups, ensuring they don’t glamorize or normalize violence. Counter-narratives—stories that emphasize diversity, empathy, and the dangers of extremism—should be promoted.

Personal Responsibility

If you’re witnessing this scenario in your own environment, it’s crucial to:

• Stay informed about the movements and trends in your community without getting swept into sensationalism or conspiracy theories.
• Help young people around you by listening to their frustrations and guiding them toward constructive solutions.
• Support local initiatives that aim to bridge divides rather than escalate tensions.

Conclusion

The right thing to do is multifaceted: promoting education, offering mental health support, encouraging dialogue, and working with law enforcement to prevent violence. Combating extremism requires both local and global cooperation, as well as attention to the underlying causes that push people toward these movements. Communities, governments, and individuals all play a role in fostering a more peaceful and inclusive society.

Modern Satanism: Overview, Origins, Numbers, Money, and Strategy

Modern Satanism, in its various forms, has evolved from being an underground or marginalized movement into something that has taken on more public visibility in recent years. It is diverse and exists in different strands, each with its own beliefs, goals, and strategies.

1. Origins of Modern Satanism

Modern Satanism, as it is known today, largely traces its roots to Anton LaVey, who founded the Church of Satan in 1966 in San Francisco. Before that, the concept of Satan was tied more to Christian theology and folklore, with the figure of Satan representing the ultimate evil in religious contexts.

• The Church of Satan (founded in 1966):
• Philosophy: LaVeyan Satanism is atheistic. It does not involve the worship of an actual devil or supernatural beings but instead promotes self-deification, individualism, and embracing carnal and earthly pleasures.
• Symbolism: Satan is used as a metaphorical figure representing rebellion, pride, freedom from traditional moral values, and opposition to authoritarianism.
• Cultural Influence: LaVeyan Satanism gained notoriety in the 1960s and 1970s for its countercultural message, blending elements of existential philosophy, Nietzschean ideas, and anti-Christian sentiment.

Other notable groups include:

• The Temple of Set (founded in 1975):
• Founded by Michael Aquino, a former high-ranking member of the Church of Satan, it focuses more on esoteric and occult practices. It believes in the existence of a real deity named Set, an Egyptian god of chaos, whom they associate with Satan.
• The Satanic Temple (TST) (founded in 2013):
• This is the most prominent Satanic organization today and has drawn significant media attention. It has a more politically and socially active mission than LaVeyan Satanism. The Satanic Temple uses Satan as a symbol for secularism, human rights, and separation of church and state.

2. Numbers of Modern Satanism

• Estimates of Adherents:
  The exact number of modern Satanists is difficult to determine because many adherents do not publicly identify with Satanism due to the stigma, or they align with its philosophies without formal membership. However:
• The Church of Satan claims to have thousands of members globally but has not provided precise figures.
• The Satanic Temple has claimed around 300,000 members as of the 2020s, though this may include people who align with their political goals rather than deep religious or philosophical beliefs. In terms of sheer numbers, these groups are relatively small compared to mainstream religions but have grown in visibility and influence, particularly through social media and public activism.

3. Money and Financial Influence

• Funding and Revenue:
• Church of Satan: The Church of Satan generates revenue through membership fees, book sales (e.g., LaVey’s The Satanic Bible and related works), and donations. While it is not a mass movement, its early cultural influence has kept the organization relevant.
• The Satanic Temple: This group has pursued legal battles and political activism, which often requires fundraising. They receive donations from supporters, and they fund projects such as building Satanic monuments, supporting reproductive rights, and pursuing lawsuits related to church-state separation. They have been known to use online crowdfunding and merchandise sales as well.
• Strategy for Financial Growth:
• Merchandise: Both the Church of Satan and The Satanic Temple have robust merchandise sales, selling Satanic symbols, clothing, and literature.
• Publicity: The Satanic Temple, in particular, has gained media attention through its provocations, such as placing a statue of the deity Baphomet at state capitols to challenge Christian monuments. This brings in donations and support from individuals who may not be religious Satanists but support the temple’s political activism.

4. Philosophical and Political Strategy

Church of Satan:

• Philosophy:
• The Church of Satan adheres to an individualistic philosophy, emphasizing personal power, hedonism, and the rejection of traditional religious values.
• Its members do not typically engage in activism or political movements, as the church promotes a “might is right” attitude, encouraging members to focus on personal success and fulfillment.
• Strategy:
• The Church of Satan keeps a low public profile compared to other Satanic groups, preferring to exist as a philosophical organization rather than a political one.
• They focus on exclusivity and cultural influence, particularly through LaVey’s writings.

The Satanic Temple:

• Philosophy:
• The Satanic Temple is more socially and politically active, and its philosophy is based on seven core tenets that emphasize compassion, individual liberty, and the separation of church and state.
• Unlike the Church of Satan, TST is involved in direct action, often using satire and legal challenges to confront what they see as Christian overreach in public life.
• Strategy:

1. Political and Social Activism:
   • Separation of Church and State: The Satanic Temple uses legal avenues to challenge perceived religious privilege, especially when Christian symbols or prayers are used in government contexts. For example, they have sued state governments for allowing religious displays on public property.
   • Reproductive Rights: TST advocates for bodily autonomy, especially in the context of reproductive rights. They argue that abortion is a religious right for Satanists and have challenged restrictive abortion laws.
2. Media and Publicity:
   • The Satanic Temple uses media attention to promote its message. For example, it garners headlines by proposing Satanic After School programs or installing Satanic monuments alongside Christian ones.
3. Satirical Protest:
   • Their activism often involves satire. By demanding equal treatment (e.g., having Satanic prayers in government spaces), they highlight what they see as the hypocrisy of government-endorsed religion.

Cultural Influence:

• Modern Satanism in Popular Culture: Satanism has also grown through its representation in music, film, and art. Heavy metal and black metal music, in particular, have often drawn on Satanic imagery, though usually for shock value rather than actual religious belief. Similarly, movies like The Witch and Hereditary have fueled public interest in occult and Satanic themes.

5. Modern Satanism’s Broader Cultural Strategy

• Rebranding Satanism:
• The Satanic Temple has been at the forefront of rebranding Satanism from a sinister, dark force to a progressive, left-leaning movement for social justice and human rights. While this rebranding is controversial, it has attracted a new generation of young people disillusioned with traditional religion or frustrated by political issues like church-state separation and bodily autonomy.
• Internet and Social Media:
• The internet, particularly platforms like Reddit, Instagram, and YouTube, has played a major role in spreading Satanism. Groups like The Satanic Temple have used social media to mobilize supporters and spread their message, while also creating online communities for those who feel alienated by traditional religious systems.

Conclusion

Modern Satanism is not a monolithic movement. It includes atheistic or metaphorical strands (such as LaVeyan Satanism) and politically active organizations (such as The Satanic Temple) that use Satan as a symbol of rebellion, freedom, and opposition to authoritarianism. The movement’s growth, while numerically small, has gained significant cultural and political influence through media, legal activism, and public provocation.

Satanist groups are funded through donations, membership fees, and merchandise, with varying degrees of public engagement depending on their philosophy. Their strategy often revolves around challenging religious norms, particularly Christian dominance in public and legal spaces, while promoting secularism, individualism, and human rights.