The first principal in converting someone to Satanism, is to realize that it isn’t possible. Satanism is not a proselytizing path. We do not recruit anyone EVER! We believe that if someone was meant to be a Satanist, they will inquire of you and be converted by themselves, not by you shoving your beliefs down their throat.
This does not mean that we do not talk about our beliefs and practices, this simply means that when we voice our opinion it is to educate and not to convert. Anton LaVey said, “Satanists are born, not made”. We believe that one who will be a Satanist either already holds Satanic principals or, will tend to agree when they hear them.
Now at one time I would not have agreed with philosophical Satanism so, is this a contradiction? No, it simply means that I wasn’t in good connection with my true nature. This connection came over time, with experience and learning about myself.
Satanists do not choose to be Satanists because it’s “cool”. Tout au contraire! The Satanist chooses to be a Satanist because it is NOT “cool” It isn’t widely accepted, it isn’t easy on the eyes, it won’t tickle the ears. Satanists are nonconformists. Therefore to become a Satanist, or rather realize that you are one, you must be willing not to conform. There are those who take this to an extreme and refuse to do anything they’re told, even if it’s for their own good. These people are not nonconformists, they’re just stupid.
To be a Satanist you must be honest. Sound like a paradox? It means that you must be honest with yourself, your nature, and those around you. Satanists do not hide what they are, their views, their practices, etc. However, we do not flaunt them either. It is a medium of the two. We do not do things intentionally to draw attention to the fact that we are Satanists, but we do not overt attention from ourselves or our path either. Ask a Satanist, what path he/she follows and you will receive the proud response, I am a Satanist. Now, here is the mark of an unknown Satanist: They will (upon hearing this) inquire rather than attack. Now, not everyone who inquires is going to become a Satanist, there are some people who are just open minded, and those, I will applaud.
Satanists are extremely open minded and at the same time, are the ultimate skeptics. We are open to hear new ideas, but those ideas must have solid grounding to them. Either by explanation or by experience. We question EVERYTHING until we have proof. “He that is slow to believe anything and everything is of great understanding, for belief in one false principal is the beginning of all un-wisdom.” (Anton LaVey) A Satanist may have many theories, but they are just that, and we are open to being proven wrong. If you prove us wrong we will concede to the fact that we have been in error.
Satanists do not generally attempt to convert anyone, simply because those who are meant for it will not be “converted” anyway. They will take on this path of their own FREE WILL. Free will, once again, is the ultimate law in Satanism.
