Popularity! O, to be popular and well-liked. Currying the favor of the masses is always a mistake. Anything that quickly catches on should be carefully scrutinized because there can be only one cause. That which abruptly flourishes must appeal to man's basest instincts. It signals the quick and easy route to self-satisfaction. And while indulgence is a wonderful thing, the road to get there should not be effortless.

This means that a group which is actually accomplishing something should be rather unpopular, shouldn't it? And why is that? Because work is unpopular; making real-world efforts to create change for the better is difficult and unrewarding in the short term. Instant gratification is popular, applying oneself slowly and surely is almost vilified in today's society. So, it's no wonder that worthless groups are more popular than their counterparts which make a slow and steady difference in the world.

Let me ask you Satanists something...Is your organization fascist? Is it mob-rule under a dictator's oppression? Are there insecure, "elite" intellectuals at the top and confident, overly-aggressive gorillas at the bottom? Is your group intolerant, vindictive, dogmatic, close-minded, insular, hateful, and paranoid? Does the "leadership" refuse to lead its members anywhere fruitful, but instead loudly proclaim some impotent party line?

Any misanthrope knows that human beings disappoint. Man has infinite potential and utterly squanders this potential on a daily basis. He is short-sighted and greedy, like an animal. Luckily, there is the possibility for something better. Human beings have superior qualities, faculties which he somehow possesses that lift him above the common beast. These noble aspects are usually well hidden, but they do exist.

What I'm saying is that a religious group needs to approach its very existence with caution. Religious groups need a reason to exist. That reason should be linked with a higher cause; not man's coarsest, most contemptible drives.

So, if lowest common denominator man is creating an organization, then it's safe to assume that it will be disappointing as well. Then how does one safeguard against adding yet more garbage to the refuse pile of churches and leagues? Spiritual foundation!

Imagine building a house without an architect. No architect, no architect's plan. No architect's plan and suddenly everyone is running around with incongruent ideas about how this house should be built. Naturally, this architect is a metaphor for Satan (although any God or Godlike entity will do). This grand designer has an overall plan, but that alone is not enough. To build a house, one also needs a general contractor - someone to watch and supervise the house's construction, making sure that the laborers are following the architect's plan.

So we have Satan (the architect) and the High Priest (the general contractor), along with priests, acolytes, bishops, etc. (various micro-managing supervisors). I'm not saying that one is better than another because obviously the general contractor is nothing without the painters, plumbers, and electricians.

Unfortunately, modern Satanism is starting to become known as atheistic Satanism. Without a religious aspect to keep a group cohesive and focused, organizations have to find alternative means. Otherwise, there would be nothing holding an organization together. Every collective needs a unifying force, and if this force is not spiritual (what I mean by spiritual is a purpose beyond man's basest desires), then it is solely material. Very material… which means we're talking about power and control over others, putting "the group" on a pedestal to be worshiped as God. And this new Godlike group which can do no wrong is now a haven for arrogant, power mongering egoists.

Every successful organization needs a goal or mission statement. With or without a goal, groups will create some kind of agenda of their own. That's just the nature of things. It's better to consciously address the reason for creating an organization in the first place. And along the way, these goals need to be re-examined. Is the group actively pursuing that goal or has their mission statement gone by the wayside?

Most Satanists and Satanic organizations lack quality goals. And it's no wonder because once you take Satan out of the equation, then all you have is a bunch of human beings - each with their own needs, desires, neuroses, and agendas. There is nothing to unify the group. Nothing is crystallized. Well-meaning intentions and a solid philosophy will only take a group so far.

Satanism is a religion. Some may say it's a religion of flesh. Some believe it to be a religion of darkness and the unknown. Others think it's a religion of power or maybe fear. Satanism is probably all of these, actually. However, taking away the religious element leaves it crippled...a mere socio-political philosophy, a disgruntled pack of humans with a common aesthetic. Nothing more!

Now, I'm not about to proselytize theistic Satanism because there's problems with that too. Satanists who want nothing more than to worship Satan and sublimate themselves to some Godlike being are not truly following the Satanic code either. Satanist groups that create an entire paradigm of overly religious, bureaucratic celestial nonsense are just as bad as Satanic atheists. Satanism is not the colorful pageantry of Catholicism except reversed. Just because Satanism is a religion doesn't mean that Satanists should treat their religion in the same way that conventional religions do. A Satanist views Satan as his brother and friend, not something to be enslaved by.

Recognizing a Godlike force such as Satan, and allowing oneself to be influenced by this higher power, is enough. Satanism is above humanism. There is something special about it, something sacred. Can Satanism not enjoy something between the ivory tower and the muck in the street? We need a degree of realistic practicality, but we also need to set our sights on nobler endeavors. Somewhere between man and God is the Superman, as Nietzsche wrote. Satanism is the religion of the Superman. Neither totally mundane nor divine, human beings must traverse the bridge. We must be tried by the fire. Our religion takes man as he is...a flawed being. These "flaws" can be our strength or man's downfall. It depends on the individual and his behavior. Satanists, by their very nature, should be constantly self-improving. Satanism is the religion of evolution.

1. Satanists take an active role. They live by their own set of rules, trying to get the most out of life. Satanism is an aggressive religion and Satanists focus on obtaining their desires.
   
   
2. Satanism is open-minded. While skeptical, the Satanist knows that he doesn't have all the answers; there are many things unknown to him. The world doesn't make sense. It's only through individual realities that the Satanist can understand the world and his place within it.
   
   
3. Satanism is closely tied to the ego. This character (or perhaps character flaw) defines Satanism. Individualism is a strength, but it has limitations. The Satanist's Will flows from the ego. He recognizes that part of the universe revolves around him; however, the Satanist should remember that it is only a small part. Yes, there is a greater power outside!