The Question of Satan

Let's start by taking a look at the most popular views on the character of Satan from the main Abrahamic faiths. Judaism sees Satan as an agent of YHWH used to tempt mankind and provide a choice of paths in life; thus supplementing free will in general. The idea of rebellion and the fall of angels is not accepted in mainline Judaism.

The Christians see Satan as an angel that through his pride and refusal to serve mankind became corrupted to the point of leading a rebellion against God and wanting to usurpe the throne of glory. He was then cast out of Heaven along with his fellow rebel angels when his insurrection failed. He fell into the earthly realm of matter and vowed to destroy God's creation as an act of revenge and continue his war of usurpation. The Christians idea of the fall and rebellion is no doubt derived from greek influences. The Islamic story of Iblis follows very much in line with the Christian view. I will however mention the idea in Sufism that Iblis refused to bow to mankind out of his pure love and devotion to Allah; seeing it as a test of loyalty.

These varied perspectives lead to many possibilities and it could very well mean Theistic Satanism is a system built on a misunderstanding of canonical doctrine and one could be worshiping a entity that is completely apposed to their dark and transgressive proclivities. Now a more holistic view of the Devil as not being tethered specifically to Satan and studying stories of a Devil type character from other faiths and cultures leads one to see the influences that have culminated in the Christian perspective. I personally subscribe to the idea of a Satanic godhead that is the mirror opposite of white light traditions. In Kabbalah the idea of evil preceding good and being an unbound primordial force that is part and parcel of the totality of creation; acting as a primer as well as point of contrast allowing friction that produces the sparks of creation is incredibly interesting to myself. In this light evil / the Devil can be seen as a necessity of reality and a cancer that if removed will kill the host.

Satanism is the path that initially lead me into occult practices. It will always have a special place in my heart but that does not negate the need to have an accurate understanding and accepting the possibility of a disappointing truth about the figure of Satan.

- Magor Missabib