| Temple of Zeus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | ToZ |
| Type | New religious movement (Satanism) |
| Classification | Theistic Satanism |
| Orientation | Spiritual Satanism |
| Scripture | Yazidi Book of Revelation |
| Theology | Polytheism |
| Structure | Magical order |
| Region | International (Mainly USA) |
| Founder | Andrea Maxine Dietrich (1962-2020) |
| Origin | 2002; 24 years ago (2002) |
| Tax status | Exempt |
| Official website | www |
TheTemple of Zeus (formerly known as theJoy of Satan Ministries) is anoccult religious organization founded in 2002 by Andrea M. Dietrich.[1][2]
Anew religious movement and form ofWestern esotericism, the Temple of Zeus espouses a religion known asZevism, whose practitioners are calledZevists, identifying itself as a form ofSatanism.
The Temple of Zeus advocates an ideology that presents a synthesis oftheistic Satanism,Nazi occultism,Gnosticism,neopaganism,Western esotericism,UFO conspiracy theories, andextraterrestrial beliefs.[3]
Members believeZeus (which they also refer to asSatan) to be "the true father and creator God of humanity", whose desire was for his creations, humanity, to elevate themselves through knowledge and understanding.[4]
The orientation of the Temple of Zeus is generally acknowledged by religious scholars as a form ofWestern esotericism,[1][5] which embracestheistic Satanism with an esoteric perception contrasting the materialist and carnal inceptions idealized byLaVeyan Satanism.[6] The relationship between practictioners and Satan is described by professor of religious studies,Christopher Partridge, as "the core of an esoteric project of transformation, based on a personal or mystical relationship".[7]
The Temple of Zeus has a polytheistic belief system and believe the demons of theGoetia have a real existence and acknowledgeBaal (also referred to as Zeus/Satan) as their primary ruler.[4]
According to Scholars, Satan and some demons are viewed by the Temple of Zeus as one of manydeities which are equated with many gods from ancient cultures,[8] such as Satan having known to be theSumerian godEnki and theYazidi angelMelek Taus.[3] While the Temple of Zeus views Zeus as a deity, they also consider the deities to be highly evolved, sentient, and powerful humanoid extraterrestrial beings who do not age.[4][3][9][6]
They also hold the belief of Zeus to be a representative of the notions of strength, power, justice, and freedom.[4]Lilith is another deity of significance to the group, who is recognized as "the patron of strong women and a goddess of women's rights".[10]
While the Temple of Zeus originally established some of the Satanic principles from LaVey's Satanic Bible,Introvigne notes that LaVeyan Satanism tends to be more "rationalist" in comparison.[1] In the account of the scholar of philosophy and religion, Asbjorn Dyrendal, he acknowledges "a different spiritual atmosphere from LaVeyan Satanism."[6] Asbjorn adds that while LaVey was able to suggest the existence of mysterious, occult forces while simultaneously appealing to an atheist viewpoint, which he claimed was supported by modern science, the Joy of Satan tends to use more simplistic, spiritualist language.[6]
As noted bysociologist of religionMassimo Introvigne, Maxine Dietrich derived the theory of a mortal struggle between enlightened aliens and a monstrous extra-terrestrial race, theReptilians.[3]
Temple of Zeus believes that Satan and the demons of the Goetia are sentient and powerful extraterrestrial beings responsible for the creation of humanity,[4][3][9][6] and whose origins pre-dateAbrahamic religions.[3][11] They're also identified asNephilim from theHebrew Bible.[9]
"The books of Jews, Christians and Muslims, as of those who are without, accept in a sense, i.e., so far as they agree with and conform to my statutes. Whatsoever is contrary to these, they have altered; do not accept it. Three things are against me and I hate three things. But those who keep my secrets shall receive the fulfillment of my promises. Those who suffer for my sake I will surely reward in one of the worlds.
It is my desire that all my followers unite in a bond of unity, lest those who are without prevail against them. Now, then, all ye who have followed my commandments and my teachings, reject all the teachings and sayings of such as are without.
I have not taught these teachings, nor do they proceed from me. Do not mention my name nor my attributes, lest ye regret it; for ye do not know what those who are without may do."
Temple of Zeus believe that one of the benign aliens,Enki, which they consider to be Satan himself, created with his collaborators on Earth human beings through their advanced technology ofgenetic engineering.[3] They consider that most salient of his creations were theNordic-Aryan race.[9] They declare that the Reptilians have, in turn, created their own kind by combining their own DNA with the DNA of semi-animal humanoids (also known asneanderthals) which would later become known as theJewish race.[3]
They posit that the peak of hostilities between the extraterrestrial factions resulted in the benevolent extraterrestrials departing Earth approximately 10,000 years ago,[3] in which thePaleolithic -Neolithic era's were a post-apocalyptic age shaped after catastrophic events. Following their departure, they believe the agents of the Reptilians (seeReptillian conspiracy) began to establish their own religious systems, theAbrahamic religions.[3] Subsequently, this led to the deposition and defamation of Pagan deities and their followers.[9] A similar formulation is made with thewitch-cult hypothesis. They claim these religions maligned the benign extraterrestrials by labelling them as "devils" and malevolent, and through their doctrines, created a climate of terror within humanity (e.g. condemning sexuality), in order to better program and control humans.[3]
They state that Satan, however, did not abandon humanity, believing to have revealed himself to the Yazidis (apre-Zoroastrian sect from Northern Iraq), described inThe Black Book of Satan (not to be confused with theONA's scripture of the same name).[3]
In the early 2000s, Maxine Dietrich began the creation of the Joy of Satan Ministries.[2] Maxine Dietrich established a Satanic ideology that would present itself as an esoteric form ofLaVeyan Satanism, but would espouse a "traditional Satanism" by establishing its satanic fundamentals from ancientMiddle East,Far-Eastern andWestern teachings, and only acknowledging the Judaic/Abrahamic concept of Satan as a reaction.[12]
_-_EnKi_(Sumerian).jpg)
At some point during Maxine Dietrich's studies in ancient history, withancient astronaut theoristZecharia Sitchin being noted to have some influence, derived the theory of an ancient conflict between advanced extraterrestrial races (see#Origins of humanity, below) and incorporated these theories into her ideology;[12] concluding that Jews and theAbrahamic religions were the creations of a hostile alien race responsible for the deposition of pagan religions and their pagan gods (who the JoS identify asdemons).[12] With this reinterpretation, the Joy of Satan Ministries recreated Anton LaVey'sSigil of Baphomet, aSigil that would incorporatecuneiform script instead ofHebrew letters (which spells out "Satan" in cuneiform instead of "Leviathan" in Hebrew), attributing to the origins of the use of thePentagram in Sumeria. The introduction of these theories, in addition to its contempt ofJewish mysticism, became the spark of significant controversy for the religious organization.
In 2004, the Joy of Satan Ministries became established as a non-profit religious organization.Anti-Judaic sentiment had also completely established itself within the JoS ideology. It was also revealed that Clifford Herrington, chairman of the National Socialist Movement, was the husband of the high priestess of the organization.[12] This revelation exposed the split in the NSM's supposed "Christian identity" between the Christians, theistic Satanists andOdinists.[12][13] After the events, they became the topic of significant controversy.[14]
Despite its controversies, the Joy of Satan Ministries maintained some degree of popularity and significance among the currents of recent and contemporary theistic Satanism.[12] Some among the theistic Satanist community commend Maxine Dietrich, appraising her pioneering efforts as a "vast improvement over the old, disrespectfulgrimoire methods" with the introduction of a system of respectful demon invocation.[4][15]
In March 2019,Angelfire discontinued its web hosting services for the organization.
With the absence of Maxine Dietrich, the organization remains upheld by her advocates and has underwent significant changes. In 2025, it reconstituted itself as the Temple of Zeus.
Temple of Zeus promotes a wide variety of occult practices, such as methods forevocation ofdemonic entities and guidelines for making pacts with them.[1] Temple of Zeus consider that Satanism, in practice, is the true nature of humanity that precedes Christianity and Islam.[3]
The practices of Temple of Zeus may bear similarities to those of other groups categorized under theistic Satanism and esoteric ideology.[16] As Christian author and biblical researcher Josh Peck notes, "theistic Satanism engages in every New age practice under the sun in their dedications to Satan and Satanic philosophy."[16] As an example, he cites their use of divination methods such as,astrology,magic,pendulums,runes,clairvoyance,past lives, thepineal gland andthird eye, thechakras,bioelectric technology, theastral plane, spells, thekundalini serpent,trance, as well as methods inself-hypnosis,incense,telekinesis,brain waves, andchanting.[16]
The scholar of Satanism, Jesper A. Petersen, notes that practitioners who experiment with the meditation practices of Temple of Zeus may find them useful, and adds that the group's use of magic spans from simple to complex techniques.[1] These include sorcery, spells, and various types ofwitchcraft, all of which require the practitioner to imaginatively apply specialized knowledge and technique to the object of thespell,hypnotism,healing and other kind of magic ordivination.[1][17] They also offer a range of occult techniques inblack magic.[7][18]
According to Jesper Petersen, "The rituals proposed by the Joy of Satan are very simple and not particularly advanced, with most consisting of mainly visualization exercises rather than actual rituals known in mainstream satanic culture." He adds that contrary to popular belief, the process of their rituals does not involve negotiations or the exercise of evil and instead revolves around telepathic communication withanthropomorphic beings, which is often accompanied by an almost jovial tone during various rituals.[3][1]
The Temple of Zeus also state Zeus recognizes a lack of funds and does not expect his adherents to have expensive items for ritual in comparison to the ideals of a modern Christian Church.[1] A similar formulation is also used when discussing the scarcity of black candles.[1]
Initiates begin a "formal commitment" that is signed in blood and burned in order to participate fully in Satan's work upon humanity, to imply a growth in spiritual knowledge and personal power.[1] During standard devotional rituals, the focus of their practice is described as shifting from exerting control to cultivating attachment and self-development.[1] Rather than forcefully summoning demons, these rituals aim to facilitate mystical experiences and empower the practitioners in a way that aligns with their expressive concerns.[1] The central part of their "Standard Ritual to Satan" consists in reading prayers to and "communicating with father Satan one to one", which is considered by Jesper Petersen "a surprising break with the more traditional ceremonial activities known in mainstream satanic culture."[1] The structure of the ritual is also considered fairly standard, after which suitable preparations (bathing, lighting candles and so on), the ritual begins with ringing the bell and invoking "The four princes of hell."[1] In the main part, theInvocation to Satan is recited, establishing a link suitable for prayer and communication in which the practitioner, after concluding his endeavors, will then end the ritual with a close.[1]
Prominent theistic Satanist, Diane Vera, commends Maxine Dietrich, appraising her pioneering efforts as a "vast improvement over the old, disrespectfulgrimoire methods."[4][15] Rev. Jeff Rhoades also states their endeavors with demons are "with much more respect than most version of the Goetia and other Christian grimoires."[19]
Adherents of the Temple of Zeus may also partake in rituals against those believed to be "enemies of Satan", advocated asspiritual warfare.[3]
Joy of Satan Ministries became the topic of significant criticism for its close connections to a high-ranking leader of theNational Socialist Movement, as well as for itsantisemitic,anti-Judaic,anti-Christian, andanti-Muslim beliefs.[3][20] While some among the theistic and spiritual Satanist community adopt their ideas as a model, they may distance themselves from the group's controversial beliefs,[9] and "explicit connection with Nazism."[6] According to religious studies scholars, although they may appear as somewhat similar to theOrder of Nine Angles, their ideology and beliefs fundamentally oppose each other.[21]
When the fact that Maxine was the wife of a well-known American neo-Nazi leader became public knowledge, it created serious problems within Joy of Satan Ministries itself.[22] This controversy exposed the split in the NSM between the Christian Identity and theOdinists and Satanists.[22] According to Introvigne (2016), "Several local groups abandoned Dietrich and started minuscule splinter organisations. Some of these insisted that they were not Satanist, just pagan".[3] Introvigne also adds that while most of the Satanic groups are no longer active, JoS persists, albeit with fewer members.[3] Despite the events, Introvigne notes that the group's beliefs in extraterrestrial life, meditation, and telepathic communication with demons have gained popularity among a broader community of non-LaVeyan "spiritual" or theistic Satanists.[3] Followed by a series of backlash, Clifford and Andrea Herrington were also accused of sexual misconduct which Introvigne claims "are difficult to evaluate",[3] however, Maxine's Satanic affiliations were enough to result in Clifford Herrington's departure from the National Socialist Movement.[3] Clifford Herrington would then attempt to recreate his own "National Socialist Freedom Movement" after leaving the NSM in 2006.[20]
Scholar of religion,James R. Lewis, noted in hisSatan census (2009) a surprising number of respondents to the Joy of Satan Ministries. Additionally, the scholar of Satanism, Jesper A. Petersen, found in his 2014 survey on the Satanicmilieu's proliferation on the internet a surprising prominence among theistic Satanist websites on the internet,[1] noting the popularity of theChurch of Satan to be somewhat paradoxically with the Joy of Satan Ministries' page base on theAngelfire network.[1]
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