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Open Worship for Satanists?

Should Satanist's be allowed to worship along with other religions? The report in the Sunday Telegraph and on the BBC Website of the Royal Navy allowing Chris Cranmer to practice his version of the belief on board the frigate Cumberland has brought this question to the fore again. We feel the need to explore the issues.

Experience shows that you cannot legislate against belief and we agree that in principle there should be opportunity for freedom of belief. However, what I do think that we must look to see the quality of life we are advocating and the potential end results of such beliefs.

There are a variety of beliefs under the umbrella of Satanist and not all would agree with the tenets of Cranmer's faith. Also, not every one who calls themselves a Satanist believes in a personal Devil, as many Christians would.

The flavour of Satanism described here is of Anton LaVey's Church of Satan and among the articles of faith that would be put forward are:

"Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence

Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek

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

Following such tenets and working them out practically in your life seems to produce a selfish person not a member of a team. At they same time they appear to have little regard for others and certainly would not want to see people forgiven for things they have done wrong.

This is, as LaVey intended, the opposite of Christian belief. For evangelical Christians there also is another concern as to whether the following and practice of such a faith can open up a door to supernatural evil and therefore have a far reaching effect on the lives involved.

People may not believe in a personal Devil but does the personal Devil believe in the person? If you start putting out the welcome mat to supernatural powers you need to realise they will accept your invitation. The power is by definition supernatural, greater than the natural, and so could effect a change for evil in a person's life whether they wanted it or not.

Time will tell what if any change there will be on the Cumberland but I hope on board ship there will be an evangelical expression of Christianity that shows there could be a better way that results in a more positive change of character. The crew will then have the opportunity to check things out for themselves.

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