CLICK to return to story index 'Satanists' target coastal churches
STAFF REPORTER
CHRISTIAN churches at the coast received mail written on a letterhead of 'The Church of Satan' in December - a step described as one of the most public moves yet by professed Satanists in Namibia.
A typewritten letter, which closed off with the term 'Rege Satanas' (Latin for 'Satan rules'), landed in the mail boxes of a number of English and Afrikaans Christian churches at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
A Swakopmund post office box number appears at the end of the letter as a contact address for 'The Church of Satan'.
The December letter was the second received on the letterhead. A previous letter which did not state the post office box number reportedly preceded it about a month earlier.
The two-page letter, written in obviously sophisticated English, is headed: "May the scales fall from your eyes."
The letterhead reads 'The Church of Satan' and underneath it is a five-pointed star with a goat's head depicted inside.
It appears to be intended as a manifesto arguing the merits of "evil", opposing it to "good" which the letter says is in fact dependent on the existence of evil - "the great savior and sustainer of those who condemn it most".
Referring to "pathetic victims of Christian propaganda" who wear "the symbol of their role model's death around their necks like tiny hangman's nooses, actually believing it will protect them", the letter states: "Protect them from what? My possible cordiality and friendship?"
The letter later states: "Let it be known that every man who delves into the arts of darkness must give the Devil and His children the due their years of infamy deserve. Satan's Name will not be denied! Let no man shun or mock His Name who plays His winning game or despair, depletion and destruction await!"
Then, the third last paragraph of the letter reads without further explanation: "It's open season."
Christian ministers at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund contacted by The Namibian this week said it was unclear on what scale, if any, Satanists were active at the coast and how many people were involved in 'The Church of Satan'.
Their reaction to the letters from 'The Church of Satan' would be to not react, the churchmen said.
"We have discussed it amongst ourselves and decided to pray and to continue to preach the true gospel unadulterated."
Said one minister: "For me it's a confirmation of the truth of the Bible. If it was not true, they would not have been opposed to it like this, I think."
January 14, 1999
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