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Allegations have been made, and continue to be made, concerning "Satanic" child-abuse - that is, the sexual abuse of children as part of Satanic rituals, practices and beliefs.
As an authority on Satanism, having been actively involved in Satanism for nearly twenty-five years, and being the Grand Master representing traditional Satanist groups, I can write expertly about this matter.
Genuine Satanism - like all genuine magick - is a path, way or method of individual self- development. Rituals may be and often are a part of this, but these rituals all conform to certain patterns: they are all intended to aid and explicate self-understanding and development, as well as enhance and develop certain 'Occult' abilities. Naturally, some rituals and methods are concerned with the individual experiencing certain emotions and, in Satanism, enjoying certain pleasures. However, because of the aim of Satanism [to aid the attainment by the individual of magickal and personal understanding and thus promote evolution and self-mastery], this experiencing involves a conscious choice or decision by the individual. This makes Satanism of necessity an adult path or way – for genuine Satanism, of the traditional type, is not concerned with proselytizing nor "corrupting" others without their consent. Its concern - it must be repeated - is individual advancement arising from a conscious and free decision by the individual - anything else is not Satanic as it is not magickal. This free choice is part of all genuine Occult and magickal paths: Initiation means this free choice, the decision to begin an inner quest. When there is no free choice about the matter, there is no genuine Initiation - whatever path or way is being followed. Where Satanism differs, is in its aim, the philosophy of life and the techniques used to achieve the aim - these make it a "Left Handed Path" [when viewed conventionally].
Thus, there cannot be any such thing as 'childhood Initiation' - nor participation by children under a certain age in any genuine magickal rituals. What there can be: what there often is - in genuine Satanism at least - is the simple dedication of infants by their parents to the darker path, and this involves only the appointing of guardians to watch over and care for the child(ren):"Do you, so chosen, pledge to guard and watch over this newborn and to teach them when the teaching time is right, our ways ..." [from 'The Ceremony of Birth' in "The Black Book of Satan" (ONA)] The time for teaching is when the child, in accord with Satanic philosophy, can choose for themselves - sixteen years of age or thereafter - that is, when they have attained the threshold of adulthood.
Hence, there is not, and cannot be, any such thing as "Satanic" child-abuse: there can be no child- hood 'initiation', no participation by children under a certain age in rituals, and no abuse, by adult Satanists, of children. This latter is important - Satanism is concerned with the individual gaining self-mastery and self-understanding. The abuser (whether of children, drugs or pleasures) is swayed by mostly unconscious desires and impulses - they may manipulate and try to control others who are susceptible, but they cannot control themselves, or even begin to understand their 'darker' side. In short, they are weak - and generally rather pathetic -individuals, although they may hide behind a "mask" or a "role". Such people are not Satanists, but rather failures. The Satanist aspires to self-mastery, self-overcoming: to knowledge ...
The popular image of Satanism is a lie - a myth invented and fostered by those who have a vested interest in maintaining it. Organized religions and under-developed individuals need such myths, as they need stereotyped enemies: for only by such means can such people and such religions survive and flourish. Many believe, with that certainty that faith and fanaticism bring, the myths about Satanism and the more general myths about ritual 'child-abuse'. I and a few others like me can present the facts - in my case about Satanism - but it needs an unbiased mind, a certain mental freedom, to consider these facts as they should be considered, and then make an informed judgement about the matter. It is this freedom which a biased, religious intolerance destroys.
The real question about Satanic child-abuse (and ritual abuse itself) is thus a question about attitude, belief and commitment to reasoned thought and debate. Long after Science showed the Earth was not at the centre of the Universe, the Church - its ministers and its faithful - continued to believe otherwise, confirmed in their certainty of faith. Do we, now - concerning this question of Satanic child- abuse - return to the Dark Age of faith, of believing what certain Church people wish
us to believe to bolster their religion and rather intolerant view of the world; or do we go forward to greater understanding based on an acceptance of the facts?
These facts show that Satanic child abuse - and ritual abuse itself - is a myth.
[The following books contain the facts regarding traditional Satanism, and should be studied by anyone who wishes to know what Satanism really is:
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