Contrary to common belief, the origins of Satanism can be traced back long before the medieval period. It predates major religions like Christianity and Judaism by a significant margin. Once we acknowledge the existence of a dualistic cosmology, where opposing forces shape and govern our world, it becomes apparent that Satan, as a creator deity, has existed since time immemorial, manifesting in various cultures. While the forms of worship and representations have varied, the core essence of Satan has remained unchanging and eternal, as is the nature of divine beings.
Among the earliest examples of this cosmic dualism, we find Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion established between 628 and 551 BCE. Despite being closely aligned with the Christian notion of God, it acknowledged the existence of two opposing deities: Ahura Mazda, the god of "goodness, light, and beauty," and Angra Mainyu, the god of "evil, darkness, and monstrosity."
Another intriguing instance can be found within the Bible itself, specifically in Genesis 1:26-27: "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'" This verse clearly employs the plural form: "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness." However, it promptly transitions to the singular without further explanation: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." This biblical passage itself suggests that the Christian God was not alone at the dawn of creation. Only by embracing the illumination of Satan can we discern the deeper truth, even within Christian scriptures.
The essence of Satan in antiquity finds expression in various cultures, one notable example being the famed Greek city-state of Sparta. Sparta was a highly organized, hierarchical, and disciplined society, focusing on the development of strong men and women for warfare. Interestingly, unlike other Greek cities, Sparta granted women rights and treated them as equals, thereby setting itself apart.
Throughout antiquity, numerous demons were worshipped as gods under different names, providing us glimpses of ancient representations of Satan and his cohorts in myths from around the world. In Greek mythology, we encounter Titans like Typhon and Prometheus, the guardian of the underworld gates known as Cerberus, and deities such as Pan, Dionysus, Prometheus, Eosphorus, Hesperus, and Hela. Sumerian mythology offers gods like Enki and Ereshkigal, while Norse mythology features the Norse fire giant Surtur and the goddess of the underworld, Hela. Celtic mythology includes the god Cernunnos, and Egyptian mythology presents deities like Khnum, Heryshaf, Kherty, Mendes, and Amun. Even in Stregheria, the ancient Italian witchcraft tradition, we find the god Dianus Lucifer, along with countless other representations within diverse mythologies worldwide.
It is essential to note that this text aims not to delve deeply into these ancient myths but rather to demonstrate the enduring connection between Satan, demons, and humanity since time immemorial. As Real Satanists, it is crucial to understand that myths should not be interpreted literally, except for the inevitable human influence that shaped them for personal interests. Symbolic creation served as a means to convey complex ideas to the people of that era. Just as gods adapt and evolve alongside humanity, we, in our interconnected and more evolved world, possess greater capacity for understanding. Today, through Real Satanism, we grasp the truth and comprehend the nature of the essence embodied by these two creator gods—Satan and the Christian God.
By Joao Victor - member of Real Satanism.
Photo by Arthur Yeti on Unsplash