Temple of Zeus (organization)
Occult religious organization founded in 2002 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Temple of Zeus (ToZ), originally known as the Joy of Satan Ministries, is an occult religious organization founded in 2002 by Andrea M. Dietrich.[1][2]
| Temple of Zeus | |
|---|---|
.png) | |
| Abbreviation | ToZ |
| Type | New religious movement (Satanism) |
| Classification | Theistic Satanism |
| Orientation | Spiritual Satanism |
| Scripture | Yazidi Book of Revelation |
| Theology | Polytheism |
| Structure | Magical order |
| Region | International (Mainly USA) |
| Founder | Andrea Maxine Dietrich |
| Origin | 2002 |
| Tax status | Exempt |
| Official website | www |
A new religious movement and form of Western esotericism, the Temple of Zeus espouses a religion known as Zevism, whose practitioners are called Zevists, identifying itself as a form of Satanism.
The Temple of Zeus advocates "Spiritual Satanism",[3] an ideology that presents a synthesis of theistic Satanism, Nazism, gnosticism, paganism, western esotericism, UFO conspiracy theories and extraterrestrial beliefs similar to those popularized by Zecharia Sitchin and David Icke.[3]
Members believe Zeus (previously referred to as Satan by the organization) to be "the true father and creator God of humanity", whose desire was for his creations, humanity, to elevate themselves through knowledge and understanding.[4]
They have been the topic of significant controversy for their antisemitic beliefs and a connection to a former chairman of the National Socialist Movement, an American neo-Nazi organization.[5]
Definition
The orientation of the Temple of Zeus – "Spiritual Satanism" – is generally acknowledged by scholars as a form of western esotericism,[1][6] which embraces LaVeyan Satanism with an esoteric perception contrasting the materialist and carnal inceptions idealized by Anton LaVey.[7] Their relation between Satan is also described by professor of religious studies Christopher Partridge as "the core of an esoteric project of transformation, based on a personal or mystical relationship".[8]
History
Summarize
Perspective
Inception
In the early 2000s, Maxine Dietrich began the creation of the Joy of Satan Ministries.[2] Maxine Dietrich established a Satanic ideology that would present itself as an esoteric form of LaVeyan Satanism, but would espouse a "traditional Satanism" by establishing its satanic fundamentals from ancient Middle East, Far-Eastern and Western teachings, and only acknowledging Judaic/Abrahamic concepts of Satan as a reaction.[9]
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Extraterrestrial revelation
At some point during Maxine Dietrich's studies in ancient history, with ancient astronaut theorist Zecharia Sitchin being noted to have some influence, derived the theory of an ancient conflict between advanced extraterrestrial races (see #Origins of humanity, below) and incorporated these theories into her ideology;[9] concluding that Jews and the Abrahamic religions were the creations of a hostile alien race responsible for the deposition of pagan religions and their pagan gods (who the JoS identify as demons).[9] With this reinterpretation, the Joy of Satan recreated Anton LaVey's Sigil of Baphomet, a Sigil that would incorporate cuneiform script instead of Hebrew letters (which spells out "Satan" in cuneiform instead of "Leviathan" in Hebrew), attributing to the origins of the use of the Pentagram in Sumeria. The introduction of these theories, in addition to its contempt of Jewish mysticism, became the spark of significant controversy for the religious organization.
National Socialist Movement incident
By 2004, the Joy of Satan Ministries became established as a non-profit religious organization. Anti-Judaic sentiment had also completely established itself within the JoS ideology. In 2004, it was also revealed that Clifford Herrington, chairman of the National Socialist Movement, was the husband of the high priestess of the organization.[9] This revelation exposed the split in the NSM's religious orientation, leading to significant disputes and conflicts among members within the NSM and JoS.[9][10]
Legacy and succession
Despite its controversies, the Joy of Satan Ministries maintained some degree of popularity and significance among the currents of recent and contemporary theistic Satanism.[9] Some among the theistic Satanist community commend Maxine Dietrich, appraising her pioneering efforts as a "vast improvement over the old, disrespectful grimoire methods" with the introduction of a system of respectful demon invocation.[4][11]
In March 2019, Angelfire web hosting discontinued its service for the organizations website.
With the absence of Maxine Dietrich, the Joy of Satan Ministries remains upheld by her advocates and has underwent significant changes, being now renamed as "Temple of Zeus".
Beliefs
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Perspective
Theology
The Temple of Zeus has a polytheistic belief system wherein they consider demons of the Goetia to have a real existence and perceive Satan as their primary ruler.[4]
Ancient gods
Satan and some demons are viewed by the Temple of Zeus as one of many deities which are equated with many gods from ancient cultures,[12] such as Satan having known to be the Sumerian god Enki and the Yazidi angel Melek Taus.[3] While the JoS views Satan as a deity, they also consider the deities to be highly evolved, sentient, and powerful humanoid extraterrestrial beings who do not age.[4][3][13][7]
Satan is seen as an important deity by the Temple of Zeus. They also hold the belief of Satan to be a representative of the notions of strength, power, justice, and freedom.[4] Lilith is another deity of significance to the group, who is recognized as "the patron of strong women and a Goddess of women's rights".[14]
Adaptations and ccomparisions to Lavey
While the Temple of Zeus incorporates some of the Satanic principles found in LaVey's Satanic Bible, Introvigne notes that LaVeyan Satanism tends to be more "rationalist" in comparison.[1] In Asbjorn Dyrendal's account, he acknowledges "a different spiritual atmosphere from LaVeyan Satanism."[7] Asbjorn adds that while LaVey was able to suggest the existence of mysterious, occult forces while simultaneously appealing to an atheist viewpoint, which he claimed was supported by modern science, the Joy of Satan tends to use more simplistic, spiritualist language.[7]
Revisionist history
The central tenets of the Temple of Zeus is its reinterpretation of established historical narratives, offering alternative perspectives and controversial insight into humanity's origins.[3]
Temple of Zeus presents various extraterrestrial theories, some of which influenced by the works of ancient astronauts writers such as Zecharia Sitchin. Temple of Zeus believe that Satan and the Demons of the Goetia are sentient and powerful extraterrestrial beings responsible for the creation of humanity,[4][3][13][7] and whose origins pre-date Abrahamic religions.[3][15] They're also identified as Nephilim from the Hebrew bible.[13]
According to sociologist of religion Massimo Introvigne, "Maxine Dietrich derived from these theories the ideas of a mortal struggle between enlightened aliens and a monstrous extra-terrestrial race, the Reptilians."[3]
Origins of humanity
"The books of Jews, Christians and Muslims, as of those who are without, accept in a sense, i.e., so far as they agree with and conform to my statutes. Whatsoever is contrary to these, they have altered; do not accept it. Three things are against me and I hate three things. But those who keep my secrets shall receive the fulfillment of my promises. Those who suffer for my sake I will surely reward in one of the worlds.
It is my desire that all my followers unite in a bond of unity, lest those who are without prevail against them. Now, then, all ye who have followed my commandments and my teachings, reject all the teachings and sayings of such as are without.
I have not taught these teachings, nor do they proceed from me. Do not mention my name nor my attributes, lest ye regret it; for ye do not know what those who are without may do."
Kitab Al Jilwah (Book of Revelation) Chapter IV
Temple of Zeus believe that one of the benign aliens, Enki, which they consider to be Satan himself, created with his collaborators on Earth human beings through their advanced technology of genetic engineering.[3] It's considered by Joy of Satan that most salient of his creations were the Nordic-Aryan race.[13] They declare that the Reptilians have, in turn, created their own kind by combining their own DNA with the DNA of semi-animal humanoids (also known as neanderthals) which would later become known as the Jewish race.[3]
Aftermath of the cosmic incursion
They posit that the peak of hostilities between the extraterrestrial factions resulted in the benevolent extraterrestrials departing Earth approximately 10,000 years ago,[3] suggesting the Paleolithic and Neolithic era's to have been a post-apocalyptic age shaped after catastrophic events. Following their departure, they believe the agents of the Reptilians (see Reptillian conspiracy) established their own religious systems, the Abrahamic religions,[3] which subsequently lead to the deposition and defamation of Pagan deities and their followers (see witch-cult hypothesis).[13] They claim these religions maligned the benign extraterrestrials by labelling them as "devils" and malevolent, and through their doctrines, created a climate of terror within humanity (e.g. condemning sexuality), in order to better program and control humans.[3]
They state that Satan, however, did not abandon humanity, believing to have revealed himself to the Yazidis (a pre-Zoroastrian sect from Northern Iraq), described in The Black Book of Satan (not to be confused with the ONA's scripture of the same name).[3]
Practices
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Perspective
Temple of Zeus promotes a wide variety of occult practices, such as methods for evocation of demonic entities and guidelines for making pacts with them.[1] Temple of Zeus consider that Satanism, in practice, is the true nature of humanity that precedes Christianity and Islam.[3]
Occultism
The practices of Temple of Zeus may bear similarities to those of other groups categorized under theistic Satanism and esoteric ideology.[16] As Christian author and biblical researcher Josh Peck notes, "theistic Satanism engages in every New age practice under the sun in their dedications to Satan and Satanic philosophy."[16] As an example, he cites their use of divination methods such as, astrology, magic, pendulums, runes, clairvoyance, past lives, the pineal gland and third eye, the chakras, bioelectric technology, the astral plane, spells, the kundalini serpent, trance, as well as methods in self-hypnosis, incense, telekinesis, brain waves, and chanting.[16]
Jesper Petersen notes that practitioners who experiment with the meditation practices of Temple of Zeus may find them useful, and adds that the group's use of magic spans from simple to complex techniques.[1] These include sorcery, spells, and various types of witchcraft, all of which require the practitioner to imaginatively apply specialized knowledge and technique to the object of the spell, hypnotism, healing and other kind of magic or divination.[1][17] They also offer a range of occult techniques in black magic.[8][18]
Rituals
According to Jesper Petersen, "The rituals proposed by the Joy of Satan are very simple and not particularly advanced, with most consisting of mainly visualization exercises rather than actual rituals known in mainstream satanic culture." He adds that contrary to popular belief, the process of their rituals does not involve negotiations or the exercise of evil and instead revolves around telepathic communication with anthropomorphic beings, which is often accompanied by an almost jovial tone during various rituals.[3][1]
The Temple of Zeus also state Satan recognizes a lack of funds and does not expect his adherents to have expensive items for ritual in comparison to the ideals of a modern Christian Church.[1] A similar formulation is also used when discussing the scarcity of black candles.[1]
Initiates begin a "formal commitment" that is signed in blood and burned in order to participate fully in Satan's work upon humanity, to imply a growth in spiritual knowledge and personal power.[1] During standard devotional rituals, the focus of their practice is described as shifting from exerting control to cultivating attachment and self-development.[1] Rather than forcefully summoning demons, these rituals aim to facilitate mystical experiences and empower the practitioners in a way that aligns with their expressive concerns.[1] The central part of their "Standard Ritual to Satan" consists in reading prayers to and "communicating with father Satan one to one", which is considered by Jesper Petersen "a surprising break with the more traditional ceremonial activities known in mainstream satanic culture."[1] The structure of the ritual is also considered fairly standard, after which suitable preparations (bathing, lighting candles and so on), the ritual begins with ringing the bell and invoking "The four princes of hell."[1] In the main part, the Invocation to Satan is recited, establishing a link suitable for prayer and communication in which the practitioner, after concluding his endeavors, will then end the ritual with a close.[1]
Prominent theistic Satanist, Diane Vera, commends Maxine Dietrich, appraising her pioneering efforts as a "vast improvement over the old, disrespectful grimoire methods."[4][11] Rev. Jeff Rhoades also states their endeavors with demons are "with much more respect than most version of the Goetia and other Christian grimoires."[19]
Adherents of the Temple of Zeus may also partake in rituals against those believed to be "enemies of Satan", advocated as spiritual warfare.[3]
Reception
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Perspective
Joy of Satan Ministries became the topic of significant criticism for its close connections to a high-ranking leader of the National Socialist Movement, as well as for its anti-Judaic, anti-Christian, and antisemitic beliefs.[3][20] While some among the theistic and spiritual Satanist community adopt their ideas as a model, they have since distanced themselves from the group's controversial beliefs,[13] and "very explicit connection with Nazism."[7]
When the fact that Maxine was the wife of a well-known American neo-Nazi leader became public knowledge, it created serious problems within Joy of Satan Ministries itself.[21] This controversy exposed the split in the NSM between the Christian Identity and the Odinists and Satanists.[21] According to Introvigne (2016), "Several local groups abandoned Dietrich and started minuscule splinter organisations. Some of these insisted that they were not Satanist, just pagan".[3] Introvigne also adds that while most of the Satanic groups are no longer active, Joy of Satan persists, albeit with fewer members.[3] Despite the events, Introvigne notes that the group's beliefs in extraterrestrial life, meditation, and telepathic communication with demons have gained popularity among a broader community of non-LaVeyan "spiritual" or theistic Satanists.[3] Followed by a series of backlash, Clifford and Andrea Herrington were also accused of sexual misconduct, though Introvigne claims the allegations "are difficult to evaluate",[3] Maxine's Satanic affiliations, however, were enough to result in Clifford Herrington's departure from the National Socialist Movement.[3] Clifford Herrington would then form the "National Socialist Freedom Movement" after leaving the NSM in 2006.[20]
According to scholar of religious studies, Professor Mathieu Colin, while the Joy of Satan Ministries group can be regarded as somewhat similar to the Order of Nine Angles, what he considers to distinguish them from the O9A however, is their ideological differences, with certain beliefs fundamentally opposing each other.[22]
James R. Lewis noted in his "Satan census" (2009) a surprising number of respondents to the Joy of Satan Ministries. Additionally, Jesper Aagaard Petersen's survey (2014) on the Satanic milieu's proliferation on the internet noted a surprising prominence among theistic Satanist websites on the internet.[1] He notes that "the only sites with some popularity are the Church of Satan and (somewhat paradoxically) Joy of Satan's page base on the Angelfire network, and they are still very far from Scientology or YouTube."[1]
See also
- Ancient Egyptian religion
- Ancient Mesopotamian religion
- Ancient Greek religion
- Anti-Christian sentiment
- Anti-Islam sentiment
- Demonology
- Esoteric Nazism
- Extraterrestrial hypothesis
- Far-right politics
- Fermi Paradox
- Paganism
- Occultism in Nazism
- Religions of the ancient Near East
- Spirituality
- Temple of Set
References
Further reading
External links
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