Let me ask you a simple question. What type of Satanist are you? Even further, are you even a Satanist? Sounds strange? It's really a very relevant question. I hear all kinds of people claim they are Satanists, they like to use the symbols from Satanism, but very few of them seem to know much about the symbols. The main symbol in Satanism is the Sigil of Baphomet. One symbol. Yet, suprising numbers of Satanists don't know what the symbol stands for, or what the words in it spell. So, let me talk about the four stages of your "religious life", each with sub-stages. For now, we'll just talk about the four stages.

1.) Predominate religion, (usually Christianity).This is the religion that binds us unknowingly for all our lives. Whether most will admit it, the stories in the Bible have affected us, on a (sub)conscious level. Although these chains can be broken, most simply lack either the education or will power to do so. Some even LIKE to be bound, as it suits their laziness perfectly.

2.) Rebellion against predominate religion. This leads into studying religions deemed "bad" by the first one. Satanism being the leading "bad" religion. Wicca is the second one, available through pop-culture and media, the same as Satanism.

3.) Deeper Revelation: This is the hard part to get too. This is when the person realizes that what they are studying is simply a rebellion, and now, they search for a religion that has deeper meaning to them than just rebellious dependancy. Some may decide that Satanic/Wiccan beliefs are for them, but most move on into something different.

4.) Final Revelation: The point at which someone has found the religion that best suits their own needs and orbits, without dependancy upon the structure they were raised under, or the rebellious structure they went to out of desperation.

(From Azag's Corner:

"Using this scale, I would have to say the most difficult part for me was/is not "hanging-on" to resentment when leaving Stage 2 and TRYING to make it into Stage 3. It was looking back without crying "Why? Why?" Then, (here's the funny part), around the beginning of Stage 3, I learned that there really is (was?) meaning and mystery in the Xtian storys, and that they are as valid as any other symbolic system. We just didn't have them presented as ideas - but as literality! That's where we all got burned.")

Here are some questions, answer them as you think appropriate. (Also, be honest. This test is more relevant than you might think.)

Does inversifying a Christian ritual, (reading the Bible backwards, upside down, saying the Lord's prayer in reverse, inverse exhorcism, etc.) create a powerful form of magic?

1.) Very powerful
2.) Somewhat powerful
3.) Virtually worthless
4.) Absolutely worthless

If you weren't a Satanist, are there any other religions that you would like to be?

1.) Christian
2.) Atheist
3.) Lots of other religions
4.) This question won't ever apply to me

Have you studied any religions outside of Satanism and Christianity?

1.) No
2.) Yes, one or two
3.) Yes, a few
4.) Yes, several

How often do you talk about Christianity in your average day?

1.) A lot
2.) A good bit
3.) Seldom
4.) Never

Do you feel that Satanism is the only religion that lets you act the way you want to be?

1.) Absolutely
2.) I don't know, I haven't studied enough to know otherwise
3.) Yes, I've studied a few others, and they won't let me be myself
4.) No, I have studied other religions, and they have the same type of philosophy as Satanism

What are your thoughts on Christianity?

1.) I absolutely hate it
2.) It's an annoying religion
3.) Who cares about Christians
4.) The more you worry about Christianity, the more you become like it

Do you worship a "Dark Lord"?

1.) Absolutely!
2.) Yes, but not the same type of Dark Lord that's in the Bible
3.) On some occasions, he is one of many Gods I worship
4.) Never

Here's your scorecard

6-10: You are stuck in the Christian archetypical scheme! You must learn to get out of it. Your running to Satanism is merely a rebellious action, and you are more akin to a rebellious Christian than a Satanist.

12-17: You are in the stage of releasing yourself from the Christian ideals, but you have not quite left it yet. You still have a way to go.

18-22: You have left the Christian archetypical figure, but may still be holding onto resentment/embitterment towards Christianity.

23+ Congratulations, you are more akin to a Satanist/Druid/Thelema, etc. than a rebellious Christian! Reward yourself, for very few people actually make it this far.

Why's this important? If you don't catabolize the inner forms of inspiration into a dramatic interplay that favorably affects you, the reverse will happen and these seemingly innocent subconscious ideals will be brought forward into a way that definetely does not favor you. It's like a bottle of propane. May seem innocent, but the wrong combination of events will lead to some horribly dire consequences.