Church of Azazel > Local congregations > New York City



Church of Azazel



Proto-Congregation in
New York City



Copyright © 2009 by the Church of Azazel. All rights reserved.



The Church of Azazel is a theistic Satanist (non-LaVeyan) group with a polytheistic theology. It has roots in both modern Paganism and the Western occult tradition, plus a few ancient ideas, found in many different cultures, which most modern Pagans overlook. Our beliefs are neither purely "reverse-Christian" nor purely "dark Pagan." Our paradigm is a systematic synthesis of ideas from many different religions, both ancient and modern, unashamedly including some "reverse Christian" themes but by no means limited to them. Our pantheon includes Satan/Azazel, whom we see as a very multi-faceted deity, and a set of five distinct deities whom we call the Rising gods of the modern West: Lilith, Prometheus, Ishtar/Astarte, Pan, and Lucifer-of-Sophia. For an introduction to our beliefs, see (1) A brief introduction to the Church of Azazel paradigm, (2) Our core beliefs and their here-and-now basis, and (3) the Theology of the Church of Azazel.

We will hold rituals which center around reverence for Satan/Azazel. We will develop rituals to honor the five Rising Gods as well.

We also encourage philosophy, in the sense of learning to think clearly and deeply. And we encourage our members to take action, at least in small ways, toward at least one of the following goals: (1) politically opposing the religious right wing, (2) debunking Satanic panics, (3) raising the intellectual level of the Satanist scene, (4) promoting religious tolerance, or (5) countering the growth of the more fanatical and intolerant forms of Christianity and Islam themselves.

To be considered for membership in the budding local congregation in New York City, you must do at least one of the following:

  1. Attend at least eight meetings, total, of the following groups, including at least two meetings of each group:

    2. Note that NYC Satanists, Luciferians, Dark Pagans, and LHP Occultists and New Yorkers Against Religion-Based Bigotry welcome other people besides just prospective Church of Azazel members, but they are nevertheless an important part of our preferred way of beginning to get to know prospective Church of Azazel members too. Meetings of all the above three groups are held at relatively inexpensive restaurants in Manhattan (and occasionally in Queens). Please RSVP before you attend. For details and to RSVP, please see the above links on the Meetup website.

  2. If you cannot attend meetings regularly but wish to support our aims in some other substantial way, please consider joining our Internet proto-congretation

While you are getting to know us as people, you should also study the Church of Azazel website and be able to comment on it intelligently. You are not expected to agree 100% with everything, but you are expected to be articulate about specific points of both agreement and disagreement with the Church of Azazel's paradigm.

Note that our opposition to the religious right wing plays a key role in the Church of Azazel's beliefs and practices. Our spirituality is by no means limited to political and social activism. However, if you prefer not to pay attention to social and religious trends, then the Church of Azazel is not the right group for you. You're still welcome to attend NYC Satanists, Luciferians, Dark Pagans, and LHP Occultists, where you're likely to meet other Satanists/Luciferians/whatever with whom you have more in common.

Note that the Church of Azazel is a law-abiding group. We do not condone violent crime, vandalism, etc. in the name of Satan, nor do our rituals involve any other illegal activities, such as illegal drug use.

Before you apply to join, it is strongly recommended that you read this entire website first, especially the section on Our beliefs and principles.



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