Satan and Man at Harvard

Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here

CORRECTION: I link below to a post on The Anchoress blog, and go on to describe it's content. One big problem though: The description refers to a piece on the God and the Machine blog by Thomas McDonald (my bad). He makes the observations about real versus pretend satanists and gives a good review of the history of the black mass. If you follow the links on The Anchoress you will indeed get a good run through of the story at hand. Ms Scalia has been covering the story like a journalist, talking to all the concerned parties. Both sites, part of the Patheos network of religious blogs, are worth a read.  

I'm taking a detour from the series of posts on the missionary-evangelical Church to address a story that popped up in some corners of the web this past week. A so called Satanist group has announced that it will be holding a black mass on the Harvard University campus, using a consecrated host in the ritual. The event is supposed to take place Monday.

The secular story came with the usual caveat that there is no historical proof that such rituals, purportedly originating during the Middle Ages, actually ever took place. The argument goes that these were inventions of the establishment to persecute dissenters, mainly proto-feminists, much like how the Salem Witch Hysteria of 1692 is usually spun. And I do mean spun. Whatever one might think of the efficaciousness of satanic ritual, and witchcraft in general, there are scholarly studies to back up that such activities were going on in the Massachusetts Bay Colony at the time. Does this justify the witch hunts or mean that innocent people didn't get caught up in the hysteria, sometimes at the hands of malicious opportunists? No, it doesn't. But it does mean that we need to be honest about the reality of the occult. To perpetuate the idea that black masses and witches are a part of some contrived mythology is itself a myth. And I happen to believe that these rituals do have an effect and a certain power, even though it's not the effects intended by their practitioners.

Satanists, Fellow Travelers or Useful Idiots? Elizabeth Scalia, in an excellent post on her blog The Anchoress, gives a rundown of the story, and her own take on the so called satanists behind this atrocity. She comments that these aren't real satanists at all (as she points out the real ones don't put out press releases) but atheists who use the guise of the occult to attack traditional religion. Satan has long been used by otherwise secular types as a symbol of rebellion and "freedom." These posers would be eaten alive (literally?) by the real thing. She goes on to write that what the pseudo-satanists believe isn't so much the point, the Enemy is more than willing to take advantage of these "useful idiots." And it really is the best of both worlds for him. The devil gets some free publicity (Mephistopheles and his crew love to see their names in the paper more than a Kardashian), gains an opening with which to cause some mayhem and possibly destroy a soul or two hundred, while continuing to reinforce the notion in the popular mind that he really doesn't exist to begin with. What ever you want to say about him, the Prince of Darkness knows how to manipulate the media industrial complex like a pro.

As for Harvard. A cliche I've heard repeatedly from friends this week is some variation on the "Harvard would never have the guts to allow a Koran burning on campus" motif. Just because it's cliche doesn't mean it isn't true, and in this case it is. Of course I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT HARVARD, OR ANY PLACE ELSE SHOULD BE HOSTING KORAN BURNINGS. On some level the what that's being desecrated isn't the point; it's that Harvard would take such a hypocritical stance and allow this highly offensive act to go on under their sign.

The great sin of modern academia is being offensive and insensitive to others' beliefs and "life style" choices. The point of the organization hosting this "event" is to share different cultural and religious expressions in a spirit mutual appreciation. But we aren't talking about the performing of an ancient and hollowed ritual adored by countless generations. They're essentially reenacting a scene from a 60's horror movie, based on nothing more than the warped imagination of the film maker. Harvard itself, if I can read into their statement a bit, would love for this thing to go away, but they've backed themselves into a PC corner. If they cave and stop the black mass from being held they look like they're giving in to the "Man," and being untrue to their pluralistic, inclusive goals. If they let it go on, somewhere, in someone's mind there has to be the understanding that they are cooperating in a cynical, craven act that has nothing to do with cultural awareness or inclusivity.

As for the Consecrated Host. To me what's being desecrated is important, above and beyond any other considerations. It really doesn't matter what these lost souls believe. It doesn't matter to me what the folks at Harvard believe, either. As far as I know none of them thinks that the Catholic Sacraments or their satanic inversion have any power what so ever. In their post modern, deconstructed world words have no meaning, ritual has no meaning, apart from what we give them, which in their case is nothing. But words do have meaning. And they know it; no one is quicker to take offense when contradicted than your average Ivy League academic. They know deep down that words have meaning. They inspire people to action. They can cause joy and break hearts.

I believe that the divine words of Jesus Christ have supreme meaning. So yes, my main devotion is not to a book, though that Book contains the Words of everlasting life. I believe the words themselves, and when Jesus tells us through that Word that he gives us his flesh to eat and his blood to drink under the appearance of bread and wine I believe it. When he tells us, in one of the only direct commands he gives in Scripture, to "do this in memory of me," I believe it. And when someone purposely mocks and desecrates the Eucharist I'm enraged.

I hope this atrocity is canceled. Yes, because of the hurt it will cause the faithful. But also because of the harm it will cause Harvard. Let no one be deceived; this is a door opener. I fear for the Harvard community if this goes on. These are foolish, frivolous people. They are like drunks who dive head first off a cliff into water that is far shallower than they can see. Only it will not be merely themselves who will be harmed. I've seen too much damage done by people who engage in occult practice, and most of the damage happens to others; family members, the target of a spell or incantation, or simply a family that had the misfortune of buying a house or living in a building where the rituals were performed. Whether they believe it or not, the administration of Harvard should keep clear of this. No good will come of it, in this life or the next.