In a World with few heroes ...
A new age has dawned, supercharged by cellular phones, MP3 players, DVDs, cable and satellite T.V., automated phone lines, and high speed internet. Injunction with these advancements we are increasingly distracted from the world around us. In most cases it appears that the "Everyday Joe" has lost his voice in the world and for those that follow the Satanic path it appears our voice is and always has been nonexistent. Search the internet one time, using the word Satanism, and you'll find millions of links to hundreds of thousands of Satanists. Yet still we've no voice; lost cause? Not if people like James Edwards can help it. Do you know the old figure of speech, "the squeaky wheel gets the oil"? This 36 year old resident of Toronto, Canada is all about squeaking and as loudly as he can.
"I acknowledged myself as a Satanist when I was 13 years old. Since then I have studied extensively the many facets of Satanism and the LHP. I also have studied many belief systems and cultures to get a better understanding of the differences that divides humanity. No better weapon then knowledge, especially if needed to use as a tool for one's adversaries. I have not just studied Satanism or taught it but more importantly have lived it and experienced the Satanic Way for over 20 years now."- James Edwards
In the 20 plus years James has been involved in Satanism; he has become very proactive within the community. James Edwards founded The Satanic Alliance on April 31, 2002. TSA is dedicated to Satanic Unity and political action.
"Our membership embraces the desire and more importantly the 'will' to achieve the goals of social, political and economic growth foremost over any religious or philosophical differences. This is because our membership understands the importance of unification to achieve 'progression and evolution'. We all share the common understanding that the 'Left Hand Path' existence and prosperity does not rely on spiritual pipedreams but mortal words and primal actions to inflict 'change'. The understanding that we MUST succeed because our forefathers and current leaders have FAILED US."- Offical TSA website
To date these words seem to have manifested into reality before the "proverbial ink" has even dried. With his goals plotted out in front of him and a meticulous plan of action, benchmark after benchmark his vision is seeing realization. When asked of achievements made by TSA, the focused and driven James Edwards had this to say:
"We have had many accomplishments as a group in regards to our goals. Sadly, due to the nature of how politics work or any social ladder any
public acknowledgement by any Political Party or representative in regards to TSA or its membership would be political suicide. Hence, our involvement remains anonymous. But if we look at our objectives on our domain, which was listed in 2002, you will see some huge accomplishments in today's standards...
1: Objective... Attaining more rights within Canada, for Gay & Lesbians... Strong Result.
2: Objective... Making the narcotic "Mary Jane" become more acceptable by social standards for personal use... Strong Result.
3: Objective... Military Revisions, the Current Government huge military financial allocations to increase our Armed Forces in all area's of
Maintaining operation....Strong Result
4: Objective... Fighting Terrorism, the Current Government serious commitment to funding Terrorist task forces to keep this Country safer...
Strong Result.
5: Objective... Reform Gun Control Laws, the Current Government destruction of gun registration for rifles and shotguns... Strong Results.
6: Objective... Lowering Federal Taxes, the Current Government cut in Goods and Services Tax just recently in July by 1% which to follow another
Decrease of 2 % ... Strong Results.
All this is only a drop in the bucket, a lot more to come and achieve." - James Edwards
Unity and Calculated Action are the two main ingredients that make James Edwards and TSA a formidable force. One cannot argue the logic presented by James when asked if he was in favor of Satanic Unity;
"Yes, I am a big supporter of unification within the LHP. I get a lot of flak from those who are against it. But this does not deter me from battling it out to change that negative to a positive. To teach the youth the importance of unification before the negative, naysayers corrupt them. One must strive for understanding of the most basic concept of, "you cannot win a war if you have no soldiers". As Satanist's or LHP'ers though we all may be unique and perceive things differently the reality is you cannot gain progress or advancement without coming together for common interests and goals to gain success to benefit. This is what TSA is about."
However, unity can be a struggle in itself to attain. Many times people lack vision in what it takes to achieve unity. It takes a mind that is willing to look past trivial differences and hold tight to that which bound them in the first place. A labor which often renders failed attempts.
"In regards to the Satanic Community, during the last 10 years especially, I have interacted with thousands of unique Satanist's online and offline. Most of these Satanist's belong to various sects or Organizations while others have just embraced the title giving no credence or necessity to join any group. I have been involved personally in many projects with other high profiled Satanist's to try and progress and evolve Satanism via UNIFICATION, but sadly due to SOME of them having too much ego or lack thereof, all attempts have been failures so far, sadly."
"Certain individuals who run certain Organizations have displayed so much superficial ego and placed themselves on a pedestal of worship, the thought of being an equal within a council would be considered stepping down as an authority. In order to have a council of representatives to speak and act for a community, one must be willing to let online/offline ego take a back seat and realize were all in this together as an equal to attain success. Until you have leaders from various groups understand the bigger picture, unification as a totality becomes pointless and failures result. This was one very important reason why TSA was created. To avoid the necessity of other leaders and groups dictate if and when Satanism should progress."
Unity is only half the equation, there still has to be action. Having a loaded gun is only beneficial if one has the fortitude to pull the trigger.
"I think and believe once you have chosen Satanism, (some may claim Satanism has chosen you) once you've socially cleansed yourself from all constructs of beliefs and are an acknowledged practicing Satanist you cannot ever lay back. Satanism is all about achieving, being productive and being the best you can be. A Satanist is driven, always striving for perfection, focused. Those who fall into the trap or lead themselves to develop 'Sedimentary Disease' are merely individuals who are counter-productive, and I would claim nothing more then an energy vampire. The label Satanist has not ever applied to them in reality, just in their feeble lazy mind."
Prior to TSA, James Edwards was a member of the First Church of Satan's Council. However, James parted company with them after a short period of time due to a "disagreement of interests and direction with the founder of that Organization". James Edwards is currently a member of the Satanic Reds and is working with the Circle of Leviathan.
"I am also a member of another Satanic Organization, I will leave nameless due to multiple personal and business relations."
Theodore Roosevelt once said "Speak softly but carry a big stick"; in James' case I think it may take several people to carry his stick. So what does an action oriented man think when I asked "If anyone aside from LaVey has made an impact on Satanism"?
"In the literary area? NO, at least not yet, as individual Satanists? YES. I digress though, it would be impossible to know how each Satanist has evolved or made significant advances without them publicly announcing it. But in the name of Satanism or for Satanist's I can only speak for myself and TSA. Which all of us are clearly showing the world we mean business and are actually doing something active in the real world rather then online yapping."
Dictionary.com defines a hero as "a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities". In a world with few heroes left, James Edwards and TSA are championing Satanism and Unity within it.
Copyright,United Order of Cerberus,2006
