On today's diverse college campus, people do a lot of educating about various forms of bigotry. Racism, sexism, anti-Semitism--these and other irrational forms of prejudice are rightly opposed by people of conscience.

It might surprise some people to find out that Satanism is just as legitimate a religion as any other in the world today. Modern Satanism was essentially founded by the late Anton Szandor LaVey, whose classic work "The Satanic Bible" has been in print since its first publication in 1969.

Like any religious movement, LaVey's original Church of Satan <www.churchofsatan.com> has spawned a number of offshoots, including the Temple of Set <www.xeper.org>, the First Church of Satan <www.firstchurchofsatan.org>, and the Sinagogue of Satan <www.zoo-gate.fi/~lvythn/sos/>.
Research and educational foundations such as the Australian Satanic Council<www.satanic.org.au> also help educate the general public about this misunderstood faith.

I have corresponded and spoken with Satanists all over the world, and found them to be a diverse and interesting group of individuals. Most of them are hard-working, law-abiding people who are as serious about their religion as are members of any "mainstream" church. They are opposed to animal sacrifices and other harmful activities.

Nevertheless, Satanists have been subjected to inaccurate and mean-spirited propaganda since the establishment of the modern religion three decades ago. Typical of this anti-Satanic nonsense is Tipper Gore's 1987 book "Raising PG Kids in an X-Rated Society." In this book Mrs. Gore calls Satanism a "cancer" upon society. Mrs. Gore's book contributed to the so-called "Satanic panic" of the 1980s. During this time sensational TV shows aired alleged "exposes" of Satanic cult abuses.

However, most of the anti-Satanic accusations were totally fraudulent. Professor Jeffrey S. Victor, a sociologist in the State University of New York system, has devastatingly exposed the anti-Satanic sham in his meticulously documented 1993 book "Satanic Panic." Despite Victor's work, many today are trying to keep the Satanic panic alive.

The sad fact is that Satanist-bashers can make money with their bigotry. Lots of naive dupes are willing to give greedy evangelists money to fight the "Satanic agenda." And Christian bookstores continue to sell anti-Satanic propaganda. It's no wonder that the Satanic Bible proclaims, "Satan has been the best friend the church has ever had, as he has kept it in business all these years!"

As I said before, Satanists are a pretty diverse group, and it's hard to make generalizations about their beliefs and practices. Many, if not most, don't even view Satan as a real being; rather, he is seen as an empowering symbol. One common denominator I have found among Satanists is a refusal to let themselves be controlled or intimidated by the pulpit-pounders of "mainstream" churches.
Satanists are often iconoclastic, free-thinking religious rebels.

And most of them are also creative, life-loving people who have something of value to offer society.
The Australian Satanic Council, for example, has been at the forefront of the battle against internet censorship. When Satanists like these fight for freedom of speech, we all benefit.
But more than that, Satanism challenges those of us who were raised in "mainstream" churches to rethink our old prejudices and preconceptions.

As Anton LaVey's "Satanic Bible" declares, "Satan represents undefiled wisdom, instead of hypocritical self-deceit!" Surely that's something we should all strive for, regardless of our own theological orientation.
Unfortunately, too many people are more interested in bashing other people's religion than in truly seeking after wisdom.

--Mike Mazza really does take that First Amendment stuff seriously.