A blast from my tender school years, as the San Mateo County Times reports that High school Satanism club prompts parental outrage:
A group of San Mateo High School students trying to stir up controversy formed a club based on Satanism, a religion typically associated with hedonistic philosophy and with the rituals of black magic.
"I was completely appalled. I'm a Christian and I love God," said Whattam, who is member of the school's Christian Club.
Back about five or six years ago (it would have been '96, I believe), Dan Wright started the "Soldiers of Christ" club at Concord High School. You could go meet in the morning to "pray at the [flag]pole", and there were little flyers placed on the walls at school.
Shortly thereafter, I started up the "Servants of Satan", with the initials of "S.S", which harkens back to Hitler's secret police. It was the antithesis of the Soldiers of Christ, and equally as innocent as the purported San Mateo "Satanic Thought Society". I hung flyers (though I had no morning announcements) as well. In the days before Columbine, there was no huge gasp of derision - instead, both groups were slowly removed from vocals. No more flyers, no more announcements, merely word of mouth. I accomplished my intent, and the Servants of Satan disappeared.
I've still got one of the flyers around here somewhere... I really should scan it in for historical enjoyment. What pleases me the most of this situation, however, is James Doolittle got it right:
"Its purpose is to turn man back into a natural state and not have him corrupted by religion," Doolittle said. The club does not worship the devil, he said, as some may think.
The flier also says the club's purpose is to make the community realize that "Satanism is not the practice of resurrecting hate and violence through evil spirits, nor is it a cult religion wherein people worship a horned beast symbolic of the leader of hell."
LaVey started the Church of Satan in 1966 under the theory that Satan is not a supernatural being, but rather a symbol of defiance and rebellion against a conformist, God-fearing society, according to literature on the Anton LaVey Web site.
The reverend said it best:
While McEvoy said she has received calls from members of the religious community angry about the club's formation, Father Harold Snider of Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Burlingame said the First Amendment is behind these students. "Lets face it, teenagers love to shock," he said. "The best thing to do about it is to not make a big deal."
I'm too lazy to search for James Doolittles' email. Someone want to help? And yes, before people ask, I am a Satanist (unaffiliated, however). I've written numerous pieces in Devil Shat, the most well-received being the "gotcha!" Sins of the Modern Day Morbii, written back in 1999.
