Royal Navy officially recognises Satanism as a religion

Plekhanov · Post by **Plekhanov** » 2004-10-24 03:06am

Telegraph wrote: The devil and the deep blue sea
By Elizabeth Day
(Filed: 24/10/2004)

A devil-worshipping non-commissioned officer in the Royal Navy has become the first registered Satanist in the British Armed Forces.

Chris Cranmer, a naval technician serving on the Type 22 frigate Cumberland, has been officially recognised as a Satanist by the ship's captain. That allows him to perform Satanic rituals aboard and permits him to have a funeral carried out by the Church of Satan should he be killed in action.

Publicity photograph of Anton LeVey
Anton LeVey: founded the Church of Satan, was also known as the 'Black Pope'

Ldg Hand Cranmer is now lobbying the Ministry of Defence to make Satanism a registered religion in the Armed Forces so that Satanists can join up without "fear of marginalisation and the necessity to put up with Christian dogma".

Mr Cranmer, who has been aboard the Cumberland's tour of duty in the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf since April, said that being registered as a Satanist gave him "the freedom of religion I wanted despite its controversial nature".

Satanists are encouraged to perform rituals in worship of the Devil, to fulfil their sexual desires and to change situations or events in accordance with their will. Ritual trappings can include a black robe, an altar, the symbol of Baphomet (Satan), candles, a bell, a sword, a gong and a model phallus.

Mr Cranmer, 24, is single and from Edinburgh. He has been in the Navy for four years and was promoted leading hand - the naval equivalent of corporal - in July last year. He told The Telegraph that he realised he was a Satanist nine years ago when he "stumbled across The Satanic Bible. I then read more and came to realise I'd always been a Satanist, just simply never knew."

He added that he had been "warmly congratulated" by his friends and family for becoming the Armed Forces' first Satanist but did not feel that the war in Iraq was "the Devil's work".

"From a military perspective, I believe in vengeance. I don't consider Satan to be an intelligently external force in my life; instead I consider it an empowering internal force. If I were asked if I were evil, I would say yes - by virtue of the common definition. However, if you asked my family and friends you would hear a resounding 'no'. I get a massive amount from my career, while sacrificing little."

Mr Cranmer added: "Freedom to practise my religion irrespective of location was one of the most important factors. I didn't want to feel I couldn't get out my Satanic Bible and relax in bed. I didn't want to bite my tongue any more when dealing with idiots.

"First, I can read what I want and express Satanic opinions without fear of prejudice. Second, I no longer have to attend religious ceremonial duties and am excused from all of them.

"Third, I will have a space provided for Satanic ritual practice - I'm not a habitual visitor to the [ritual] chamber, but to know that I have the facilities to use if need be is indeed a comfort. Fourth, I will not be subject to a denominational burial should I be killed in action. The Church of Satan will be contacted to provide a service, and if this is impossible, a non-denominational service will be performed."

The Church of Satan was founded in San Francisco in 1966 by its high priest, Anton Szandor LaVey, author of The Stanic Bible. Adherents live by the Nine Satanic Statements, which include "Satan represents vengeance, instead of turning the other cheek", "Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they lead to physical, mental or emotional gratification", and "Satan represents indulgence, instead of abstinence".

To register as a Satanist, Mr Cranmer was required to make an initial submission to his divisional officer, who assessed any security implications. According to Rule Satannia, the official magazine of the Church of Satan to be launched on November 1, Mr Cranmer was then required to give a 30-minute presentation in June to the chaplain and senior officers on board, explaining the tenets of Satanism. The commanding officer, Capt Russell Best, granted his request a month later.

Unlike members of the Army and Air Force, recruits to the Navy do not have to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen as head of the Armed Forces.

The arrival of the Navy's first Satanist shocked veterans. Admiral Sir Sandy Woodward, the former Commander of the South Atlantic Task Groups in the Falklands War and a Flag Aide-de-Camp to the Queen in 1989, said that Satanism would be "terribly undesirable" on a ship.

"My immediate reaction is 'Good God, what the hell's going on?' " he said. "When I was serving, you were either Church of England or Roman Catholic, but I never heard of any Satanists. This sounds pretty daft to me."

A spokesman for the Royal Navy insisted that Mr Cranmer's unconventional beliefs would not cause problems on board ship. "We are an equal opportunities employer and we don't stop anybody from having their own religious values," he said.

He added: "Chris Cranmer approached his captain and made a request to be registered as a Satanist. This involved a formal stand-up approach, made in front of an audience, saying that he wanted to register as a Satanist and to practise his religious beliefs.

"The Royal Navy allows this kind of approach because it is clearly in line with current regulations. We are not aware of any other individuals who want to be registered as Satanists.

"Our policy is that, wherever practical, reasonable requests for time and facilities that do not impact on operational effectiveness or the welfare of other personnel, are met. The captain said that this decision was entirely up to the individual and that he is a good lad, a good worker on board. Nobody is suggesting there is anything at all dark about this."

This is just hilarious it’s always fun to hear Christian types like the guy they just had on the radio trying to play lip service to religious freedom whilst simultaneously arguing that this shouldn’t be allowed, they don’t try it against major world religions anymore though just new age/pagan ones

The Cleric · Post by **The Cleric** » 2004-10-24 03:12am

It's about time

.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2004-10-24 03:27am

I was under the impression that the Church of Satan didn't actually believe in Satan as a physical/metaphysical being, just materialism and hedonism.

This is hilarious. It'd be even funnier if it happened in the US, because watching the impotent Christian uproar would be top entertainment.

Pcm979 · Post by **Pcm979** » 2004-10-24 09:54am

So, not to derail the thread, but what *is* Satanism? A handy religious excuse to do whatever the hell you want?

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2004-10-24 09:59am

HemlockGrey wrote:This is hilarious. It'd be even funnier if it happened in the US, because watching the impotent Christian uproar would be top entertainment.

Actually this has happened, when a group of Wiccan soldiers at Fort Hood tried to get official support for their 'open circle' some congressmen tried to pass a bill banning the practice of Wicca and other 'forms of witchcraft' on all DOD facilities. It was eventually thrown out not because it was immoral or unconstitutional, but on merely procedural grounds.

Plekhanov · Post by **Plekhanov** » 2004-10-24 10:43am

Pcm979 wrote:So, not to derail the thread, but what *is* Satanism? A handy religious excuse to do whatever the hell you want?

This was the first time I'd ever heard of "the Church of Satan" so I've no idea maybe this link to the Church of Satan's official site which the Telegraph helpfully provided will answer your questions.

Pcm979 · Post by **Pcm979** » 2004-10-24 10:55am

Hoo-kaay. I expected it to be odd, but it was surprisingly in line with the mindset most prominent on people who use this board, actually.

I suppose I just didn't expect something called 'The Church of Satan' to advocate helping old ladies cross the street *and* wearing a model dick at the same time.

Pcm979 · Post by **Pcm979** » 2004-10-24 10:56am

Err, not to mean wearing a model dick *while* helping old ladies cross the street.

2000AD · Post by **2000AD** » 2004-10-24 11:10am

Ritual trappings can include a black robe, an altar, the symbol of Baphomet (Satan), candles, a bell, a sword, a gong and a model phallus.

The black robe and all that, yeah i can picture it, but a dildo? When did sex toys become part of devil worship?

sketerpot · Post by **sketerpot** » 2004-10-24 11:17am

Pcm979 wrote:Hoo-kaay. I expected it to be odd, but it was surprisingly in line with the mindset most prominent on people who use this board, actually.

It's also a great way to scare the hell out of people.

I suppose I just didn't expect something called 'The Church of Satan' to advocate helping old ladies cross the street *and* wearing a model dick at the same time.

They're funny that way. Seriously, they sound like a joke that the members almost take seriously.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2004-10-24 12:21pm

The Light Brother is going to ruin our Christian moral abiding world!

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » 2004-10-24 12:49pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote:The Light Brother is going to ruin our Christian moral abiding world!

And he's going to do it with lots of sex and violence. And JC will come in and use the Naked God to completely screw up the Light Brother's plans.

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2004-10-24 12:54pm

I liked the sailor's statements. He's obviously more intelligent than some.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2004-10-24 02:33pm

DPDarkPrimus wrote:I liked the sailor's statements. He's obviously more intelligent than some.

it's only natural of course. the dark lord wants intelligent followers, not mindless sheep.

Pcm979 · Post by **Pcm979** » 2004-10-24 04:20pm

"Evil will always triumph because good is dumb." Eh?

CJvR · Post by **CJvR** » 2004-10-24 04:25pm

Cool! Now the RN can call down some real nasty curses on their enemies.

The Dark · Post by **The Dark** » 2004-10-24 05:35pm

Well, nice to see the Royal Navy finally doing something the US Army has allowed for years now

. The US Army's Chaplain's Handbook has a section about what Satanists believe specifically so the chaplain can address their needs properly.

Actually, it's good to see that happening. One of the truly ironic things is that out of all the Satanic principles, I only disagree with two or three of them (I view a fairly large number as presenting a biased view of Christianity, just as Christians tend to be biased towards Satanists).

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2004-10-24 05:38pm

Once people get past the name, noone really has any issue with Satanism. We've all heard the 'oooo Satan' knee-jerks (which true Satanists probably find extremely amusing), but their tenets are hardly objectionable, and they don't (for instance) go about claiming to communicate with a sky god who tells them to sacrifice themselves for the greater good and destroy the unbelievers.

I loved the way he didn't want to bite his tongue around idiots anymore. Not sure how that eminently Satanic sentiment will go down in the Royal Navy!

The Generic Admiral's comments were amusing. 'What the hell is going on? It's DAFT!'... its daft because he's not a Roman Catholic or Protestant. Hardly comments the RN would like to have representing them in this day and age, surely.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2004-10-24 08:45pm

Satanists take Satan to represent certain things; they do not believe in God and Satan as beings per se, or at least I don't think they do. To a Satanist, Satan represents seeking knowledge and fighting against unjust overlords, like the Christian God.

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2004-10-24 09:45pm

rr is having a collective shitfit. they allwant to be his rackmate and beat him daily with bibles.

course, if the satanist is like me or any other fundy hunter, he;ll go looking for bibles to argue with

LordShaithis · Post by **LordShaithis** » 2004-10-24 11:05pm

The old admiral's comments were great. I could just see his monocle falling out and landing in his cup of tea.

Exmoor Cat · Post by **Exmoor Cat** » 2004-10-26 11:39am

considering my views are moving towards druidry, I'm looking forward to my OC's face if ever I officially declare myself an open pagan in the squadron.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2004-10-26 11:53am

The Dark wrote:Well, nice to see the Royal Navy finally doing something the US Army has allowed for years now . The US Army's Chaplain's Handbook has a section about what Satanists believe specifically so the chaplain can address their needs properly.

Actually, it's good to see that happening. One of the truly ironic things is that out of all the Satanic principles, I only disagree with two or three of them (I view a fairly large number as presenting a biased view of Christianity, just as Christians tend to be biased towards Satanists).

thing is the way the vast majority of christian fundies paint satanism is from their horribly skewed viewpoint. they don't even bother reading what satanism is about before they start attacking it. . . .oddly like everything else they try and feebly attack.

though having actually read the satanic bible, it's a fun read. gots lots of interesting points in it that make it far more appealing than christianity.

Guy N. Cognito · Post by **Guy N. Cognito** » 2004-10-26 04:29pm

It's odd that I 'almost' live my life to that code. I only vary in a few points. But I'm still an athiest. The only thing that I see is the fact that the Satanic rules almost contradict themselves.
Statement eight of the nine satanic statements says
8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification (Theft is a sin)
Rule 6 for the rules on earth says
6. Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the other person and he cries out to be relieved.

Just a touch of a contradiction. It's interesting though that Non-humans are held in a higher regard then the humans. Children above those. It's about time. (Tie this into the Mayland Bear hunt. OOooooo shooting a non-human child)

Post by **Kuja** » 2004-10-26 06:19pm

2000AD wrote:
Ritual trappings can include a black robe, an altar, the symbol of Baphomet (Satan), candles, a bell, a sword, a gong and a model phallus.
The black robe and all that, yeah i can picture it, but a dildo? When did sex toys become part of devil worship?

"Satan represents indulgence, instead of abstinence!"

Go to your local bookstore and see if they have a copy of the Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey. The introductions and the Infernal Diatribe make for interesting reading.