Conspiracy of Satanists?

[Scary]

The question is do most Christians believe that there is a conspiracy
of Satanists many of them in positions of power who function something
like a "Star Chamber" in order to advance the devils work?

Or is it just a perception based on Faustian stories and films like
"The Omen, Rosemarys Baby and that one with Arnie in it?

And if you do believe that there is such a conspiracy then what
actually evidence is there of an actually Satanic Organization exists
and what evil actions that you know about have been performed by them?

[Bob Crowley]

Post by Scary
The question is do most Christians believe that there is a conspiracy
of Satanists many of them in positions of power who function something
like a "Star Chamber" in order to advance the devils work?
Or is it just a perception based on Faustian stories and films like
"The Omen, Rosemarys Baby and that one with Arnie in it?
And if you do believe that there is such a conspiracy then what
actually evidence is there of an actually Satanic Organization exists
and what evil actions that you know about have been performed by them?

I don't think most Christians think there's some sort of conspiracy of
Satanists in control, although no doubt there are figures of power who
are members of covens, just as there are ordinary people who are
Satanists.

I do think the Illuminate is alive and well however, but cannot offer
a shred of proof to support it. I base that on the comment of an old
pastor, who was not generally given to conspiracy theories. He found
that whenever he tried to track these "endtimes" rumours down they
always fizzled out to be just that - rumours. But he was fairly
certain there was a cabal of powerful individuals who did have an
organisational structure. I found he was usually right. Proving it
is something else again, and I don't spend much time thinking about
it. I only put this paragraph in because you asked the question.

[DKleinecke]

Post by Scary
The question is do most Christians believe that there is a conspiracy
of Satanists many of them in positions of power who function something
like a "Star Chamber" in order to advance the devils work?
Or is it just a perception based on Faustian stories and films like
"The Omen, Rosemarys Baby and that one with Arnie in it?
And if you do believe that there is such a conspiracy then what
actually evidence is there of an actually Satanic Organization exists
and what evil actions that you know about have been performed by them?

As of today I would judge that only a small percentage of Christians
believe that such things as Satanic cults exist (meaning real Satanic
cults rather than fake ones posing as Satanic for one or another
purpose). IMHO most Christians simply believe that Satan is not worth
worshipping.

In the past there have been times (during the witchcraft scare) when
almost all Christians believed in existence of Satan worshippers. We
are past those days.

But the witches were not imagined to be in charge of anything. The
idea of a secret Satanic government seems to be a new idea. I suspect
it cannot be traced back before the middle of the nineteenth century.
I suspect the Masons may have something to do with its invention.

Paul makes reference to the Archons and to the Prince of this World -
both mentions have been identified with Satan, but not by Paul (who
speaks of Satan elsewhere). Exactly what Paul meant is obscure. But
the context suggests he was referring to the temptations of non-
Christian life and to the non-Christian government (not very nice -
but not Satanic) he and the other Christians were living under.

I find it easier to believe that incomprehensible governmental acts
are governed by stupidity rather than conspiracy. Other people prefer
the other way around.

It takes all kinds.

[Matthew Johnson]

Post by Scary
The question is do most Christians believe that there is a conspiracy
of Satanists many of them in positions of power who function something
like a "Star Chamber" in order to advance the devils work?

I haven't seen a survey, but I very much doubt that _most_ Christians believe
this.

Post by Scary
Or is it just a perception based on Faustian stories and films like
"The Omen, Rosemarys Baby and that one with Arnie in it?

It is amazing what power such films have to embed such false ideas in the
popular mind. So it would not surprise me in the least if that was the major
factor behind the false perception.

Post by Scary
And if you do believe that there is such a conspiracy then what
actually evidence is there of an actually Satanic Organization exists
and what evil actions that you know about have been performed by them?

I certainly don't. There is no need for such a conspiracy, when so many people
are already lead by their passions as if lead by the nost.

[B]

Post by Scary
The question is do most Christians believe that there is a conspiracy
of Satanists many of them in positions of power who function something
like a "Star Chamber" in order to advance the devils work?

B - since no one can speak for most Christians..I couldn't say. This
Christian however does not believe in "the devil" and is not that into
conspiracy theories because it is borne of fear and I'm just not into
fear much. I believe in God...I believe that the idea of the devil was
misinterpreted and unfortunately we have this squewed idea that we are
left with today. Just my opinion. B

[Steve Hayes]

Post by Scary
The question is do most Christians believe that there is a conspiracy
of Satanists many of them in positions of power who function something
like a "Star Chamber" in order to advance the devils work?
Or is it just a perception based on Faustian stories and films like
"The Omen, Rosemarys Baby and that one with Arnie in it?
And if you do believe that there is such a conspiracy then what
actually evidence is there of an actually Satanic Organization exists
and what evil actions that you know about have been performed by them?

Many Western Christians believed that there was such a conspiracy in early
modern Europe, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries, which led to the
great European witch craze.

Most western Christians abandoned such beliefs after the Enlightenment, and
they have been rare since then.

I think the Orthodox view is quite well summed up be the anthropologist
Charles Stewart when he writes:

Good and evil.
Source: Stewart 1991:146.
"The Orthodox moral world emerges as an arena in which good
struggles against evil, the kingdom of heaven against the
kingdom of earth. In life, humans are enjoined to embrace
Christ, who assists their attainment of Christian virtues:
modesty, humility, patience and love. At the same time, lack
of discernment and incontinence impede the realization of
these virtues and thereby conduce to sin; sin in turn places
one closer to the Devil... Since the resurrection of Christ
the results of this struggle have not been in doubt. So long
as people affirm their faith in Christ, especially at moments
of demonic assault, there is no need to fear the influence of
the Devil. He exists only as an oxymoron, a powerless force."