Satanism on the Rise

by Dr. Walter Martin

From the Director column of the Christian Research Newsletter, Volume 2, Number 5, 1989, page 5.

Tke following is Dr. Martin's last "From the Director" column. It was written several weeks prior to his death.

The Editor of the Christian Research Newsletter is Ron Rhodes.

Today we are witnessing an unprecedented rise in Satanism all over the world. The evidence for this is overwhelming. At Christian Research Institute, we have been consultants to over a dozen and a half police departments. They generally inquire about whether there's any significance to what they have come across in their cities. They may ask about the meaning of something written on a wall, satanic symbols or numbers, animal sacrifices, grave robberies, ritualistic child abuse (some satanic groups require molestation of children for initiation), the game Dungeons and Dragons, "blood pacts" with the devil, and vandalism with satanic overtones. With so many police departments inquiring about the same things, it is clear that they are all having similar encounters and experiences with Satanists.

Satanism has even made its way into the national talk shows -- like Geraldo Rivera, Oprah Winfrey, and Donahue. Rivera's special on Satanism only scratched the surface of this massive movement. A good indicator of just how much interest in Satanism is growing in the United States is its frequent appearances in film, music, and literature.

Consider the recent satanic murders which took place in Matamoros, Mexico. Here cult members performed brutal human sacrifices in the belief that these rituals would invoke a protective satanic shield around them, safeguarding them as they conducted a 2,000-pound-a-week marijuana-running operation into the United States. Authorities discovered not only the remains of the human sacrifices, but also long candles, peppers, garlic, and half-burned cigars -- all paraphernalia of an African offshoot of Santeria known as Palo Mayombe.

Satanism also includes those who openly worship Satan in Michael Aquino's Temple of Set and Anton LaVey's Church of Satan (Anton LeVey authored The Satanic Bible). Their "religion" even enjoys tax-exempt status with the U.S. government.

As terrible as this kind of blatant Satanism is, there is a far more subtle way that Satan is working in our world today. I am referring to the fact that he has penetrated the Christian church. For me, Satan is not only served by satanic High Priests, Black Masses, and blood sacrifices (animal or human). These things are more or less an outward symptom. The bottom line in Satan's strategies is to undermine the very foundation of the Christian faith -- not just without but also within the church. C. S. Lewis was right when he said that Satan never tempts more successfully than when he is closest to the altar.

Scripture tells us that at the end of the ages there will be an acceleration of evil such as has never been seen before. We're seeing that right now on a massive scale. There are false Christs, false prophets, false teachers, and false doctrines penetrating the church. Who would have thought even ten years ago that a church Bishop could get away with saying that God is not offended by homosexuality, that He's not affected by fornication and adultery under certain circumstances? And who would have thought that an evangelist could go on national television and say that he was a god and create nary a ripple? And who would have thought that a Christian network could get away with broadcasting that Jesus took the nature of Satan and suffered in hell for our sins, and then became born again in order to be our Savior? Events like these indicate to me that there's a terrible indifference to the false doctrines that have infiltrated the church. I believe that our ancient foe Satan is behind these hideous doctrines.

At CRI we are committed to standing against the activities of Satan, whether within or outside of the church. We are intent on exposing his work wherever it crops up. And certainly we will draw flack for this -- from both the physical and spiritual realms. But like Harry Truman said, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. We at CRI are not getting out of the kitchen!

End of document, CRN0013A.TXT (original CRI file name),
"Satanism on the Rise"
release A, December 1, 1993
R. Poll, CRI

A special note of thanks to Bob and Pat Hunter for their help in the preparation of this ASCII file for BBS circulation.

Copyright 1993 by the Christian Research Institute.

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