THE INFERNAL TRIBUNE
Public instrument of infernal affairs in aotearoa new zealand
A Satanic Outing
Alternatively titled “My experience in being publicly outed as a Satanist”
-by SNZ member Scott Phillips
It all started when I decided to run for local council in Whanganui.
Whanganui is a bit small with a population of around forty-seven thousand, and has some cliquey parts to it. I grew up here. I moved away at fifteen years old and ended up returning at forty-nine nearly two years before these events.
We (my wife and I) bought here to get away from the insanity that is Auckland traffic, business, and .. more. We plan to semi-retire here eventually, and our property here is a historical building that features a small number of guest rooms. I’ve also worked in transport and logistics in the past, so “backwards” ways of doing stuff annoys me. I felt I could contribute, I’m a business owner that gives me the time to also manage a council position, which is why I also decided I wanted to have a part in the council before retiring.
I put in my nomination for council and started working on advertising my campaign. A few days later the phone rang. I didn’t even get their name at first, but they explained they were a reporter and could I answer some questions.
“Sure, I’m up for anything,” I said.
The reporter began, from memory; “I went through the whole candidates list and googled everyone. You stood out. I found your Wedding Celebrant page (Married With Metal), and it was very interesting.” She then asked a group of questions regarding topics like the environment, and asking what I thought the issues were that Whanganui Council should be focusing on. Then she mentioned that my website describes me as a wedding celebrant specializing in Pagan and Satanic style weddings.
She asked; “Does that mean you are a Satanist?”
I responded without at first as I naturally would; “Yes, I am a Satanist.”
Then I remembered what the average person in Whanganui was likely to believe by that and added; “I am an Atheistic Satanist. I don’t believe in a (literal) God or a Devil. Satan is more a metaphor that shows my general dislike and distain for everything the Christian religion stands for. I have no Gods and no Masters, just me”
What followed was a one-hour long chat. At the end I asked her; “Please don’t put a giant headline that I am a Satanist. Yes, I am, but it isn’t my focus on way I am running for council. I think it’s something that people will find too hard to understand yet.”
She responded, “No worries, I understand.”
A few days go by, and I have heard nothing – but then the reporter calls to see if she can pop over to take my photo in front of the historic building I own. “I’m actually out of town driving a truck right now, but look the building up – it has a facebook page. There are photos of me out front.”
Sorted.
The next day the reporter called me back; “I found one with you and your wife out front, and I also like one from a wedding you have done.”
“All good,” I responded to her after a couple of quick phonecalls, “I checked with my wife, and she is fine with you using it. So are the wedding couple in the other photo.”
The next day (31st August 2022) an article is published on the Radio New Zealand website, headlining;
“Whanganui council candidate, satanist Scott Phillips, says don’t trash the underworld”
My wife calls me while I’m working, in a panic; “The first word is literally “Satanist” as well as the headline, and I’m in the photo next to you. This could ruin my business, too.”
I swore and pulled the truck over to find the reporters phone number and give her a grilling.
Then my wife calls back; “Actually, it’s a really good article, you came across well, just leave it.”
To give you a little more background; my wife is an Atheist, and just hates any talk about religion. And she isn’t a Satanist like me.
The article was printed in the local newspaper. In other publications the headline has read;
“Scott Phillips is a Satanist and running for council.”
Damn, it felt like a jarring headline. It was so jarring even the local print version changed to;
“Unorthodox Whanganui council candidate says don’t trash the underworld”
That publication deemed that “Satanist” was too scary headline for the old religious people of Whanganui to see in the headlines. If they read the article though it was still in there, further down though.
Now, I am no shrinking violet. I am not afraid of “bad publicity”, and I am who I am. I make no apologies for being me, or for my religious beliefs – but it was still … an interesting time. Some of my extended family are religious, but my close family don’t really talk about religion much. Anyway, now I am publicly “out and proud.” It is what it is, and my mindset was that I have to get on with my campaigning for council.
It became even more interesting. People online were very divided. Some read the article and thought I made sense. Others saw the headline and (literally) condemned me to Hell. That’s ok, I have thick skin and Hell doesn’t exist anyway.
Out on the campaign trail I had people tell me; “You’re not really a Satanist, your just an Atheist,” and “You’re just a self-confessed Satanist.”
“Umm, hello, everyone confesses their own religion. By the same logic, you’re a self-confessed Christian then!”
Now, none of this hurt me on a personal level, but I do believe it hurt my chances for election. I probably picked up 100 “edgy” votes and lost 1000 “normal” people.
The main thing that interested me was that no other candidate had their religious beliefs even brought up.
Ironically, I have been told the person that was elected Mayor (not my goal, I as running for a position in the council) is a creationist – and seriously believes the world is 6000 years old, that at that time God said; “let there be light.” He even takes his kids out of science class, so that they don’t hear the scientific “lies”.
Anyway, I didn’t get voted in, but I am still me. This winter I will still put on my Satanic New Zealand hoodie and wander around the town markets – just being me, giving no F_s.
Even 6 months afterward, one of the new tenants in our building said to my wife that she was telling some people in her tech class that she lived at “Braeburn.” They asked her; “Didn’t you know that some Satanists own that?”
My wife was not amused and said “No.”
I was amused and said, “only half of us are.”
Now when you google “Scott Phillips Whanganui” page one will tell you I’m the Satanist who ran for council.
I’m ok with that.
In three years’ time – I will run for council again. I won’t put “I am that Satanist” on my billboards; and that’s because it’s not why I’m running for council. Councilors don’t usually do that in New Zealand. It doesn’t represent the issues they are working with; at least to the degree that someone being an Atheist or Christian or Buddhist or Hindu or Muslim usually has little bearing on the issues they are running for either – Usually.
But if I am asked, the answer is still going to be my truth.
It’s just who I am.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Satanic New Zealand supports it’s members who publicly acknowledge their beliefs, and wants to acknowledge our “public champions”; however openness of this kind is not demanded or even encouraged by Satanism.
SNZ encourages Satanists in New Zealand and elsewhere to carefully consider the real risks and discrimination they will face, including physical, career-wise and in other ways – versus the benefits, rewards, or indeed the simple-seeming peace of mind that comes with being “a frank and open person” – alongside their individual self and situation.
Petty debates in Semiology and Representation: A topical Satanic Rant
3. Both of these symbols, the inverted cross and the brimstone cross can be used and have been used by Satanists to signal satanic ideas.
4. Both of these symbols, the inverted cross and the brimstone cross can be used and have been used by non-Satanists to signal non-satanic ideas.
5. Neither of these symbols originated in Satanism, nor in any other religion.
Waitangi Day and Te Tiriti to New Zealanders
It so happens that today is the day of publishing the inaugural article of this news source, currently called The Infernal Tribune. It is Waitangi Day.
Waitangi Day commemorates THE foundational event of New Zealand / Aotearoa, the signing of The Treaty of Waitangi on the 6th of February 1840 CE.
“The Treaty” or “Te Tiriti” however remains a sore point for almost all New Zealanders, and the source of key conflict among non-apathetic New Zealanders.
Satanism is a religious category – not a political standpoint. SNZ is a Social Union, and not a church, order, chapter, or religion.
“We encourage mature debate and expression. While we advocate for individuals, SNZ does try to facilitate many other things that it’s members find easier and more effectively done with collective force.”
While The Treaty itself, or it’s parties, is not directly related to Satanism – the issue is one that certainly affects Satanists in New Zealand, and our goals.
SNZ does not support any particular political party, but encourages it’s members’ political engagement. We also recognize that in a broader sense, politics is a significant part of what defines the qualities and attributes of the lives and living conditions of Satanists in New Zealand / Aotearoa.
Waitangi Day and Issues of The Treaty of Waitangi are definitely core issues that affect all those living in New Zealand / Aotearoa. “This journalist” feels compelled to opine for the purpose of encouraging thought, and so that he does not consider himself a political coward.
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In all honesty, personally, I’ve never found any cut-and-paste solutions applying that will make everyone happy. No doubt, the issues surrounding The Treaty are a complex of issues that both divide and unite us. I’ve been trying a few thought experiments, but to be honest it’s all pretty ugly.
Satanists do not ignore ugly problems; Satanists do not accept the idea that there are two sides to every issue (there are many more) …
However, an investigation does no begin with a conclusion, nor does respect for epistemology (otherwise known as Epistemological Humility) encourage us to rush to half-based, emotion overwhelmed conclusions.
I thought I’d share here a little thought exercise I’ve been working on that I’ve shared with a few friends; These have so far included a Maori Tohunga who is also an Maori-Anglican Chaplain, some who involved in national politics at a government level, and many who are experienced students of Philosophy…
I want to make it clear that these were originally meant for me personally to figure out what my personal stance is or should be – and that everyone may find their own standpoint as individuals. Mainly, I want to demonstrate that going through a process is … well, more satanic than buying into the limited options available by passively accepting what seems to be on offer. My own opinion is definitely becoming much stronger as a result of my own process…
I will admit frankly that “I’m not sure” about all the factors needed to assert an authoritative doctrine on the subject. It’s not because I haven’t considered the facts available to everyone else, but that finding a /solution/ is so sticky.. and not so simplistic as most people invested in the stakes emotionally want it to be.
Never the less, while some things about these issues are extremely fuzzy due to their nuance, some aspects of these issues are easily subjected to logical enquiry, and the principles of these issues can be tested by removing them from the original, highly-charged context.
Scenario One:
A foreign finance company comes to Newland, sets up, and comes to you with an offer of finance.
The original contract is in the foreign company’s language. You don’t know it very well.
They use Google translate to create the duplicate contract in English (the language of Newland), but tell you they’ve hired a professional translator.
You accept in good faith that they’re telling the truth. They are genuinely sure they’ve gotten things right.
You agree to the finance because it comes at a good rate of 1%, and you could use that finance to offset issues that the same company has ultimately been the cause of.
You find that instead of paying 1% interest, you are being charged 100% interest.
S1 Question One: How does a NZ Magistrate respond to the dispute raised, in 2024?
S1 Question Two: How would a British Magistrate deal with such a matter, in 1824?
S1 Question Three: Or in 1924? Is there a difference?
Scenario Two:
Because so much is tied up in this deal, a special adjudicator is appointed to deal with disputes. Because you’re not an expert in Financial Law and no other remedy is forth-coming, you accept.
10 years later, the company is the only Finance company. The issue is causing problems for their investors return, and so they attempt to reframe the original agreement in a way that largely bypasses your access to input.
S2 Question One: How does a NZ Magistrate respond to the dispute raised, in 2024?
S2 Question Two: How would a British Magistrate deal with such a matter, in 1824?
S2 Question Three: Or in 1924? Is there a difference?
Scenario Three:
Due to a crisis, The United Nations develops a treaty to regulate the production and distribution of warfare ordinance (bombs).
100 nations sign a treaty that compels them to cease trade with nations who do not conform to the treaty.
10 years later, a signatory to the UN treaty feels the need to produce the ordinances regulated by the treaty, against the admonitions of the UN.
S3 Question One: How, in 2024, does the UN respond to this situation?
Scenario Four:
A group of people indebted to the Foreign Finance Company and from their nation of origin are exhorted, encouraged, and in some cases forced to seek their destiny in the land of Newland. While enduring great hardship and calamity (and causing the same for the Newlanders) due to the differences in what they are accustomed to, they establish themselves and create a society upon it.
They call it New Oldland.
After several generations, the New Oldlanders are no longer recognized as citizens of the foreign finance company’s nation – but they are happy about this because they have made New Oldland better in many ways. They see Newlanders are being one people with them – even though they often don’t share the same values, and are penalised for this.
They see that there are also significant populations from Xland, Yland, Zland and many other lands have moved to and established themselves in New Oldland / Newland, and everyone can speak the language of the foreign finance company. The New Oldlanders see everyone as being New Oldlanders – even though they often don’t share the same values, and while they are no longer penalised, are strategically disadvantaged because of this.
After some more time, the cultural differences between New Oldlanders create natural rifts in the society that New Oldanders wanted to create. Many of these issues relate to the use of resources that everyone requires to live, and some of the less life-or-death issues become symbolic for those that are.
S4 Exercise One: Try to generate your own questions to the above scenario of a similar kind to the above.
S4 Exercise Two: Try to find parallels in history and in the present day which are similar in some ways to the above.
..I found it wasn’t so hard once I put my mind to it in seriousness, and started using laughable, funny little exercises like this. I can’t say that it’s made me feel better, but I can say that my opinions are becoming clearer.
– I.Xem.S
Infernal Agent
Welcome to [satanic.nz] and to The Infernal Tribune
Welcome to the Infernal Tribune….
This website has been a long time coming, and as of the publication of this article it is still very much in it’s “Beta” stage of development. Expect to see more content and features added over the following months as we work toward the finished product.
[satanic.nz] already includes a main page giving a brief description of who we are, and will later display feature comments, calls to action, products and more from the rest of the site.
You are already reading the “news” section of the website. The name Infernal Tribune is provisional, but the intent of this section of satanic.nz is to serve as a news media production from, for and about The Society of Satan New Zealand and it’s members and interests. For more about what the interests of “The Society” are you can read about that in the “Info” section of the website. You can also read about groups whose ideas and activities have in some way influenced Satanic New Zealand, and whose members may also be members of The Society of Satan New Zealand.
If you have something you want to communicate with us, are interested in membership, or having exhausted all other text or online resources still want to ask a thoughtful question or series of questions, you can contact us; by using the form on our contact us page.
Soon we will open a shop offering merchandise of mainly original design. We will use the funds generated from this shop to fund;
a) the significant work of members running the website, events and other Society business.
b) the costs of the website
c) events and actions decided upon by members toward the goals of Satanic New Zealand
We are not a registered charity; we wish to offer value in exchange for value.
Satanic New Zealand may promote charities which we decide serve our goals; For example charities that relate to animal welfare, emergency relief, social action groups.
In these cases we will usually direct financial donations toward the charity directly – and not handle the funds transfers at all. Sometimes we may call for collection of goods or labor;
for example around 2019 when regional representatives of SNZ collected and purchased towels and blankets from people in their locale, and delivered them to the SPCA in their respective areas; as SPCA were calling for these resources.
At times we have promoted and “called to action” members and their friends to support civil, legal and protest actions; for example relating to the right of women to abortion in New Zealand, and to counter the efforts of those who view people’s bodies as something other than their own property.
This type of thing will be represented in various parts of the site, but will also have it’s own Calls To Action page on the site.
We are developing out own private social media for members-only, which will run alongside our facebook, Reddit and other more public online forums. This will be made available to members.
Satanic New Zealand / Satanic Aotearoa was incorporated as a society nearly two years ago, so that we can leverage enhanced resources (like this website) and organize with better proficiency and ease. We are gently developing this as SNZ has been an informal group for the better part of a decade now. With additional power comes added risk and responsibility. We will continue to allow guests and the sincerely inquisitive into most of our online spaces and social media groups. The issue of “Official Membership” is one we’re still working on; what it looks like, how to handle sensitive data, what the benefits and responsibilities of members are going to look like moving forward. Those participating in these actions will be aware of these things, and we will release more.
IF YOU HAVE SKILLS THAT MAY BENEFIT SNZ AND WISH TO CHAMPION OUR INFERNAL MISSION, PLEASE CONTACT US WITH DETAILS.
At this time are looking for journalists and creative designers who can work at a something-like-professional level. We are also happy to welcome those whose talents may lie in any number of arenas, who see things in the way we do, and aren’t satisfied to take a “thoughts and prayers” approach to life..
We wish our members and all those aligned with our worldview and goals increased happiness and fulfillment as a result of their wise decisions, painstaking efforts, hard-won talents, and often long-suffering forbearance of social and institutional idiocy.
We wish all those who would detract from our goals many humiliating and hopefully educational defeats; we encourage them to learn from their errors, and that they quickly come to the realization that to continue on their path of stupidity can only lead to the suffering and degradation you insist others deserve.
Hail, Satan!
I.Xem.S
Vice-President / Secretary
The Society of Satan New Zealand Incorporated