Two summers ago I found myself sitting in a beautiful cafe tucked away in the south of France. I found a tiny but wonderfully curated bookstore that was operated by a fascinating, charismatic woman who called her son over for a chat with me as she served me red wine and salted nuts. Naturally her son and I fell into conversation about God and poetry (what else do you talk about as a writer in the South of France? death maybe), both subjects of which we had differing viewpoints. While my taste in poetry was dubbed gloomy, my taste in God was also called out.

I pride myself with pragmatics, believing in that which I can concretely perceive. My beliefs are not atheist or agnostic, for I believe in the innate spirituality of all living objects that most closely aligns with a Buddhist perception of the universe. However, I was quick to announce to this well-versed French man that I do not believe in God since there was no factual evidence of his existence. I said that, upon further unearthing of evidence, I could certainly readjust my viewpoints to include a godly figure but that I in no way believed there to be a singular master ruling the universe and painting creatures into existence with the stroke of a divine hand.

Studying in Denmark at the time, my companion informed me that my viewpoints weren’t as radical and original as I thought. In fact, he said, it was rather tired news where he lived to hear young people renounce God in the face of science. I was told it is in fact far more radical and logical to believe in God in this day and age. “If you’re so scientific,” he told me, “then surely you must realize that matter cannot be created out of nothing. God is the only logical answer for our existence.” This remains to be the most convincing argument I have heard for the existence of God.

I admit that I abhor religion due to bigots and extremists who use their faith as an excuse for their abhorrent and small-minded beliefs, prejudices, and hate. Though I will admit that religion is also the saving grace and green light over troubled waters for many people. And there’s always something to be said for tolerance of other’s beliefs. So who am I to judge others for their sometimes blind faith? Which brings me to our titular topic: Satan, or more specifically Satanism, a religion in its own right despite being vastly misunderstood due to ignorant speculation.

Since I have already clarified my religious beliefs, I don’t need to qualify that I don’t have a Satanic Bible on my nightstand. But I find it unlikely that Satanists are clothed in black, sacrificing small animals (since this practice actually goes against their doctrine), and lurking in shadows for innocent pray to capture. If, say, David Berkowitz is the embodiment of Satanism, then is Jim Jones the poster child of Christianity?

If you peruse the founding principles and rules of Satanism, you might be surprised. This faith is actually against the murder of animals (except for food or protection), any unwarranted or unreciprocated sexual advancements, and burdening others against their will or desire. The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth actually are actually pretty well-balanced and reasonable rules to follow, though I am personally against the concept of revenge.

Such rules include not giving advice where not warranted, not unburdening yourself on others without consent, respecting other people’s dwellings, not making unwarranted sexual advances, not stealing, and not harming small children. Of course there are more fantastical exceptions, including one involving magic, and then there is the adage “if a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy” that perhaps needs more clarification. (How extreme does this “annoyance” have to be to be met “without mercy?” one might ask.)

Most notably out of the Nine Satanic Statements, I do not side with vengeance. Though these doctrines of living include violence, they are always prefaced with attempts for peace. Violence instead seems to be the final solution, though I argue that it should not be a solution at all. However, the point I am inherently trying to make is that Satanism is not, in fact, an evil practice. Of course that this doesn’t mean that people don’t abuse this religion or have their own extremist denominations or practices that are in fact evil. It just means that, just like all Christians are not good people, not all Satanists are bad people.

Furthermore if you check out the FAQ for the Church of Satan, the answer to “I WANT TO SELL MY SOUL, GET RICH,  JOIN THE ILLUMINATI, ETC.” is a resounding “Please look elsewhere.” Now let’s look into the beliefs of the Church of Satan. Contrary to popular perception, the Church of Satan does not actually worship Satan or the supernatural. Nor does it promote evil. Even more compelling, the Church of Satan believes in reason, empathy, and the pursuit of knowledge. In a general sense, Satanism seems like a rather reasonable religion fixed with perhaps an elevated undercurrent of aggression.

I am just as much a Satanist as I am a Christian, meaning I am not a follower of either faith. But I acknowledge that not life, or religion, is black and white. Remember that extremists are not representative of the religion they claim affiliation with, and you should do your research before claiming “facts.” For instance, did the title of this blog alarm you? Were you expecting me to write about animal slaughters instead of how I came to perhaps believe in God?

At the end of the day, I do admit, there is a strong possibility that both God and Satan exist. However, they may not be exactly as you think.