Satanism is growing among Iranian youth

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

IRAN (ANS) -- A recent survey reveals that seventy factions of Satanism are active in Iran and these Satanist groups have attracted around two thousand members in some cities in the country.
This has been revealed in a story by Mohabat News (http://mohabatnews.com), the Iranian Christian News Agency.

It says in a story, "The findings of a recent government survey show that the dangers of such groups regarding cultural and moral matters have reached a critical level. The survey also reveals that New-age Satanist groups are more active in central and south-west Iran, especially in Shiraz (924 KMs South of Tehran) and Karaj (25 KMs, North-West of Tehran) than elsewhere.
"Members of such groups range in age from 16 to 24 and boys show 10 times more interest than girls in joining these Satanist groups. The survey also indicates that internet and private parties are the primary ways used to attract youth.
"The report was submitted to senior authorities of the country indicating that baggy clothes, clothes with tawdry colors, special sharp horned rings, unusual wristbands, skull necklaces and long hair or shaved heads are symbols of the groups that tend toward Satanism. As a result of this report the police have opposed such Satanist groups and their symbols. From time to time Iranian police have reported the closure of a number of shops in which the symbols and clothes representing Satanism are being sold."

The story went on to say that some religious experts believe that Satanism and its factions have no place in the Islamic world and note that Satanism is in its early stages in Iran. However, the tendency towards Satanism has grown to the extent that the Intelligence Minister of Iran warned students against corrupt and heretical beliefs, especially Satanism. The Intelligence Minister also associated activities designed to attract youth to such groups, with the soft-war of the enemy. "It seems this soft-war has even penetrated the government T.V. and Radio organization (I.R.I.B). A member of the group researching this issue said some of the music used in commercials and advertisements for movie and T.V. series are taken from the ceremonies and music of Satanist groups," added the news agency.

"Although Satanism is a corrupted belief system and joining Satanist groups could eventually ruin the lives of people, we should also remember that most Iranian youth who use the symbols of Satanism are only seeking to attract attention to themselves and know nothing of their meaning."