Re: Satan's family
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 12:18 pm
Azazel is sometimes defined as a "form" of Satan. They sure are different entities, but some people define him as an aspect of Satan or the same entity:
""Why do you consider Satan and Azazel to be the same entity?
First, please note that we equate Azazel with the "Satan" of the New Testament, not with "ha-satan" of the Book of Job, who does seem to be a distinct entity.
The name "Azazel" (or rather its Arabic form, "Azazil") has been used for over a thousand years by Muslims as one of their names for the Devil. And this does make sense in terms of at least some of the earlier Hebrew uses of the name.
The ritual of the scapegoat (Leviticus 16:10) makes no sense if Azazel is just another demon. If indeed the "Azazel" of the scapegoat ritual was originally believed to have been a demon at all, then surely the purpose of the ritual would have been to drive away all demons, not just one particular one. If any one demon is to be singled out, then the only demon worth singling out would have to have been the main leader of the pack. In other words, the entity whom Christians call "Satan" or "the Devil." And the parallelism within the ritual itself (one goat for Yahweh, the other goat for Azazel) suggests that Yahweh and Azazel were at one time thought to be figures of similar stature. It certainly does not suggest that Azazel is just a minor player.
It is debatable whether the "Azazel" of the scapegoat ritual was originally a demon of any kind in the first place. The original meaning of the Hebrew word "Azazel" is unknown.
However, during the several centuries immediately before the beginning of the Christian era, many Jews did see Azazel as a spirit opposed to Yahweh, though the literature is not consistent as to Azazel's rank or role. For example, in the Book of Enoch, Azazel seems to be just one member of a group of rebel angels. On the other hand, regarding Azazel, the Book of Enoch also says, "to him ascribe all sin." Note: that's all "sin," not just some of the "sins" resulting from the fallen angels' interactions with humans. So, it appears that the writer of at least one portion of the Book of Enoch thought of Azazel as the Devil.
In the Book of Enoch, Azazel is also portrayed as a teacher of forbidden knowledge. Our choice of the name "Azazel" in "Church of Azazel" reflects our commitment to encouraging our members to think for themselves and to acquire knowledge.
The Book of Enoch didn't make it into the Bible, but it apparently was regarded as scripture by many of the earliest Christians, including at least one of the New Testament writers (see Jude 1:14-15, which quotes the Book of Enoch) and some of the early Church Fathers (see the Catholic Encyclopedia article on Henoch, Book of). So, it is highly likely that the Book of Enoch was a major influence on early Christian ideas about Satan.
(See also the section on Azazel in the Theology of the Church of Azazel.)
Some theistic Satanists have had experiences with a spirit named "Azazel" whom they regard as distinct from Satan. There may well be more than one spirit who answers to the name "Azazel." Even if "Azazel" is also the name of a lesser spirit, it is a legitimate name of Satan Himself too, having been used as a name of Satan/Shaitan for many centuries."
source: theisticsatanism.com
""Why do you consider Satan and Azazel to be the same entity?
First, please note that we equate Azazel with the "Satan" of the New Testament, not with "ha-satan" of the Book of Job, who does seem to be a distinct entity.
The name "Azazel" (or rather its Arabic form, "Azazil") has been used for over a thousand years by Muslims as one of their names for the Devil. And this does make sense in terms of at least some of the earlier Hebrew uses of the name.
The ritual of the scapegoat (Leviticus 16:10) makes no sense if Azazel is just another demon. If indeed the "Azazel" of the scapegoat ritual was originally believed to have been a demon at all, then surely the purpose of the ritual would have been to drive away all demons, not just one particular one. If any one demon is to be singled out, then the only demon worth singling out would have to have been the main leader of the pack. In other words, the entity whom Christians call "Satan" or "the Devil." And the parallelism within the ritual itself (one goat for Yahweh, the other goat for Azazel) suggests that Yahweh and Azazel were at one time thought to be figures of similar stature. It certainly does not suggest that Azazel is just a minor player.
It is debatable whether the "Azazel" of the scapegoat ritual was originally a demon of any kind in the first place. The original meaning of the Hebrew word "Azazel" is unknown.
However, during the several centuries immediately before the beginning of the Christian era, many Jews did see Azazel as a spirit opposed to Yahweh, though the literature is not consistent as to Azazel's rank or role. For example, in the Book of Enoch, Azazel seems to be just one member of a group of rebel angels. On the other hand, regarding Azazel, the Book of Enoch also says, "to him ascribe all sin." Note: that's all "sin," not just some of the "sins" resulting from the fallen angels' interactions with humans. So, it appears that the writer of at least one portion of the Book of Enoch thought of Azazel as the Devil.
In the Book of Enoch, Azazel is also portrayed as a teacher of forbidden knowledge. Our choice of the name "Azazel" in "Church of Azazel" reflects our commitment to encouraging our members to think for themselves and to acquire knowledge.
The Book of Enoch didn't make it into the Bible, but it apparently was regarded as scripture by many of the earliest Christians, including at least one of the New Testament writers (see Jude 1:14-15, which quotes the Book of Enoch) and some of the early Church Fathers (see the Catholic Encyclopedia article on Henoch, Book of). So, it is highly likely that the Book of Enoch was a major influence on early Christian ideas about Satan.
(See also the section on Azazel in the Theology of the Church of Azazel.)
Some theistic Satanists have had experiences with a spirit named "Azazel" whom they regard as distinct from Satan. There may well be more than one spirit who answers to the name "Azazel." Even if "Azazel" is also the name of a lesser spirit, it is a legitimate name of Satan Himself too, having been used as a name of Satan/Shaitan for many centuries."
source: theisticsatanism.com