ABOUT 1 The Alternate Religions & Subcultures Demystification Project Presents: “SATANISM: The Acid Test” Version 01.03 (MAIN DOCUMENT) ABOUT This document was sourced, contributed to, compiled and researched by volunteer members of the Alternative Religions Forum. What Is The Alternative Religions Forum? The group was formed in March 2013 by a number of individuals and community based organizations concerned about the rise in Satanic Ritual Abuse claims, misinformation, misrepresentation and related hysteria in South African civil society and media. The aim of this group is to set the record straight through activism and advocacy, and by the provision of factual and educational information about minority or alternative religions, sub-cultures and communities which are frequently accused in SRA propaganda of being “Satanism”, and also to debunk the mythical “Satanism” created and propagated by SRA propaganda, and to expose “Satanic panic” for its malicious and vindictive lies. Who Is The Alternative Religions Forum? Initial membership included the South African Pagan Rights Alliance (SAPRA) and the South African Vampyre Alliance (SAVA) along with individual activists in their respective fields: “United In Our Diversity In Pursuit Of Our Common Interests” Version 01.00 2 ABOUT What Is This Document? This is “The Alternate Religions & Subcultures Demystification Project” – a document which is intended to clarify misunderstandings about alternative or non-mainstream religions or sub-cultures which are frequently being conflated with Satanism; and to clarify confusion around Satanism as a religion itself. Who Is It For? EVERYONE, including journalists, ministers, airline pilots, school principals, teachers, social workers, Dept of Education MEC’s, store clerks, vicars, bank tellers, CEO’s, cooks, employees, property managers, taxi drivers, priests, racing drivers, Zulu monarchs, academics, train conductors, street sweepers, meter maids, employment agents, postmen, nosy neighbors, Councilors, pastors, shoppers, lawyers, sales assistants, college professors, policemen, antique collectors, pizza deliverers, politicians, couriers, property owners, shrinks, employers, evangelists, union reps, shop stewards, soldiers, managers, buyers, radio DJ’s – and YOU . Who Is It By? The information presented was written or collected and compiled by members of the Project representing Pagan religion, Satanist religion and the Vampyre subculture. The material was reviewed by representatives of several South African Pagan bodies, Satanists, and of the local Vampyre subculture. Numerous other entities around the world have also contributed their input and endorsement of the content and presentation of this material in its present form. Why Does It Matter? It is a sad and frightening fact that fear and ignorance about the unknown – specifically about the beliefs and practices of other people frequently leads to persecution, prejudice and victimization of minority groups. Around the world there are abundant examples of innocent people who have been wronged, those who have spent years in prison based not on facts but on prejudiced views. Children have been counseled until they "recover" memories of sexual and ritualized torture at the hands of alleged devil worshipers etc. In South Africa there are currently cases pending where parents feuding over custody of their children have claimed their opposing former partners are unfit parents based on their beliefs and religious practices – and the courts demonstrate a tainted and biased view that says in so many words that the LAW thinks Pagans are unfit parents who expose their children to "harmful practices", that Pagan religion IS a harmful practice, and that being a Pagan parent is grounds to lose custody of your children and that children living in a Pagan home need therapy. There is unjust, not to mention unconstitutional. The only logical solution is to educate with the aim of dislodging prejudice. “United In Our Diversity In Pursuit Of Our Common Interests” Version 01.00 ABOUT 3 Accreditation & Endorsement The content of each section of this site and/or document which focuses on a specific religion or subculture is validated and signed off by representative bodies or entities within that specific group in order to verify that the content and manner in which the group is represented or portrayed is true and correct. In this way as a combined project, we give credence to the material that we are either jointly or severally the topic of – something that not even a generally credible, impartial information resource like Wikipedia does. Further, after completion, external accreditation of specific sections AND of the project as a whole will be sought from entities who have not participated in this project directly, regardless of whether they form part of these communities. A list of bodies giving accreditation or endorsement will be provided at the end of this document. Validation Of The Current Version: This document is designed to be updated and so the current version of the document or content of the website may vary or be changed from time to time, as and when new information or newly added alternative religious groups or subcultures is included. Changes will be kept to a minimum, and the intention is only to make such changes whenever a new religious group or subculture is added to the Project, without modifying the content of existing sections on religions or subcultures, in order to ensure consistency. To verify whether you have the current version, please consult the Alternative Religions Forum website at http://alternatereligionsforum.wordpress.com and go to the “updates” page where changes made to various versions of the document/website will be listed. The latest version of the document will also be made available on the website for download, to ensure that you have the latest copy available. Terms Of Use: This document and/or website information resource is made publicly available at the discretion of the creators. Use, duplication, reposting, mailing and distribution is free and authorized, provided the contents are preserved as is, unmodified, and full credit is given to the Project, the Alternative Religions Forum, and various authors and/or sources as quoted and/or referenced within the work. Any disassembly, out of context quoting or misrepresentation of information or statements made within this information resource will be regarded as unauthorized and as contrary to the work ethics and intent of the Alternative Religions Forum and this Project and its participating members. When in doubt that something which is presented as being quoted from this document and/or website, or if such is done in a manner in which statements “United In Our Diversity In Pursuit Of Our Common Interests” Version 01.00 4 ABOUT or materials are presented out of context, please consult the Alternative Religions Forum website or inform the Alternative Religions Forum. Disclaimer: The Alternative Religious Forum (hereinafter referred to as “the Project”, or “this Project”) is a joint effort by alternative religions and social sub-cultures working together on matters pertaining to legality, civil rights and human rights, and especially matters affecting rights enshrined in the Constitution and Bill of Rights of South Africa – specifically the rights to freedom of religion, freedom of association, dignity, freedom of expression, right to identify without fear of persecution, and the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty – as these apply to every other cultural group, individual under South African law, regardless of any of these factors. Neither this document, nor any resulting websites, nor any other joint projects of the Alternative Religions Forum should be taken to mean that this working relationship is to mean anything more significant than a single-purpose collaboration by participating entities and/or the communities, subcultures, religions or belief systems they identify with or as, on the common goals and perceived issues mentioned in this disclaimer. The Alternative Religions Forum reserves the right of admission of any representative body or individual for any religion, sub-culture or lifestyle to the Project, and also reserves the right to edit or modify the content of this and other documents, materials as deemed necessary. While quotes of other existing material are used in this material, ownership is not implied by their usage and full credit is given to their creators and/or sources. Further, it should not be assumed that any material presented in this document, website or project of the Alternative Religions Forum is in any way intended to promote, advocate or advance by means of recruiting or advertising any of the religious or sub-cultural groups or alternate lifestyles or identities which form part of it, nor to harm, slander or otherwise attack the intrinsic beliefs or right to exist of any religion identified as being employed as a tool or weapon against them by proponents of disinformation or persecution, or that the intent in the use of these materials is anything other than a part of the central goals of this Project, namely: clarification of misinformation in order to prevent misidentification, and information in order to promote understanding and tolerance of diversity. “United In Our Diversity In Pursuit Of Our Common Interests” Version 01.00 ABOUT 5 MENU Section: Page: ABOUT 01 MENU 05 INTRODUCTION 06 SATANIC RITUAL ABUSE (SRA) PROPAGANDA 17 PAGANISM (religion) 198 SATANISM