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Published by
Zenit.org, June
25, 2004
5 Phases of an Adolescent's Slide
Into Satanism
Interview With Journalist Carlo Climati
ROME, JUNE 25, 2004 (Zenit.org) - What do certain
rock music and Internet groups, adolescent
curiosity, and moral relativism have in common?
They are all doors of access to Satanism for young
people, warns Italian journalist and writer Carlo
Climati.
Italy is still shaken by the discovery, in early
June, of the bodies of Chiara Marino, 16, and
Fabio Tollis, 19, in the woods northwest of Milan.
They were last seen in January 1998 with other
members of their rock band, the Beasts of Satan.
Investigators say they were victims of "ritual"
killings.
In this interview with ZENIT, Climati describes
how adolescents get involved in Satanism and
proposes ways to detect and prevent it.
Q: How widespread is the phenomenon of Satanism
among young people?
Climati: It is certainly a phenomenon that is
growing rapidly and is difficult to control. I
would describe it especially as a do-it-yourself
Satanism, which young people practice by listening
to rock music and surfing the Internet.
Naturally, one must not fall into the error of
generalizing and condemning all rock music. But at
the same time, one must be realistic and realize
that Satanic rock already turns over a volume of
business worth billions. Too many singers spread
the non-culture of violence, drugs and hatred.
Q: How can an adolescent enter into contact
with the world of Satanism?
Climati: It is a process that takes place in
"phases" and that can be easily explained because
of young people's great familiarity with the new
technologies and means of communication.
The first phase generally consists of the simple
and banal interest in a Satanic singer. First, a
young person buys his CDs and is passionate about
his music. But then he feels the need to know more
about the singer.
The second step is knowledge of the texts of the
songs and the consequent exposure to a
transgressive philosophy of life.
The third phase is the young person's purchase of
music magazines that talk about his favorite
singer. Lately, in certain rock periodicals, there
is not just talk of music, but also of Satanism
and esotericism. Sometimes even addresses are
given of Satanic sects or Internet sites of
singers linked to the world of the occult.
So, in order to know more, the fourth phase is
entered: the search on Internet. Starting from
simple curiosity for the sites of Satanic rock
singers, there is the risk of going to the pages
of authentic sects, or discussion groups
frequented by Satanists.
The fifth and last phase is the young person's
direct contact, through e-mail, with a sect or a
practitioner of black magic.
Q: What is the philosophy of young people's
Satanism?
Climati: In analyzing this phenomenon it is very
important to examine it in depth. One must not
stop at incidents of violence or macabre rites
that are carried out in forests.
I want to stress especially the "Do what you feel
like" idea, an invitation to moral relativism and
a life without rules. It is man with his
presumption who wants to usurp God's place and
live under the standard of his own egotistical
pleasure.
Moreover, at the base of Satanism is the death of
hope. The invitation to withdraw into oneself and
believe in nothing -- in the fact that life is
only a jungle in which the powerful triumph over
the weak.
Unfortunately, many young people seem to be
fascinated by certain terrible philosophies. It is
not difficult to identify them at night, outside
premises that offer this kind of music. In
general, they are dressed in black. Often their
arms are marked by small, self-inflicted wounds.
These cuts are a sign of rendition, of pessimism.
They symbolize, perhaps, other deeper wounds,
which are those of everyday life. A life often
marked by inability to communicate, lack of
conversation in the family, difficulties in school
or at work.
Q: How can the phenomenon of Satanic rock be
combated?
Climati: The solution lies in accustoming young
people to have a greater critical sense. Young
people should not "imbibe" passively everything
that certain rock stars say. We must help them to
reflect, to understand, to reject those who
promote the non-culture of death.
One must not allow oneself to be ensnared by
terrible philosophies. If a singer promotes
violence, we must not buy his records. Let's
applaud those artists who communicate a positive
message in favor of life. There is no lack of good
examples. Suffice it to look for them.
This is the way that must be chosen to change the
balance of the record market, a market that is
often merciless and bent on making money at the
cost of youth.
Before purchasing a CD, we must learn to ask
ourselves what kind of ideology is behind it and
what messages it is trying to impart. Otherwise,
Satanic rock singers, imperturbable, will continue
to hold the top spots in the charts.
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