For Heaven’s Sake

25 October 2004


Satanist Wins Royal Navy Recognition

No one writes a lead for a story quite like the Brits. The BBC reports, “Naval technician Chris Cranmer, 24, has been allowed to register by the captain of HMS Cumberland, based at Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth. The move will mean that he will now be allowed to perform Satanic rituals on board the vessel.” Well, there isn’t much more to say in terms of the story. Except for the response of the non-Satanists in the British hierarchy.

Ann Widdecomb, a former Tory minister (a position some believe keeps her from the side of the angels), said, “Satanism is wrong [indeed]. Obviously, the private beliefs of individuals anywhere, including the armed forces, are their own affair but I hope it doesn't spread. The Navy should not permit Satanist practices on board its ships. God himself gives free will, but I would like to think that if somebody applied to the Navy and said they were a Satanist today it would raise its eyebrows somewhat."

Raised eyebrows are in order, but not on the part of the Royal Navy. What precisely is the problem with having a follower of the dark one in the Navy? As a great British mind once observed, the Royal Navy was founded on “rum, sodomy and the lash” – hardly a Sunday school morality. Indeed, the entire organization is there to do one thing, and one thing only, to kill anyone who gets in their way. The rest is all a matter of detail.

The Church of Satan, founded by a rather silly group of people who couldn’t find time to do anything more constructive in San Francisco in 1966 – like consume LSD, holds to Nine Satanic Statements. One of which says, “"Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek." It is hard to reconcile the bulldog spirit of Lord Nelson with cheek-turning, to be honest. And one can’t help but think that fighting off Yamamoto’s navy called for much in the way of forgiveness. And what was the sinking of the Belgrano during Falklands War but revenge for the attack on the HMS>Sheffield?

A spokesman for the Royal Navy had a much better view of the matter. He stated, "We are an equal opportunities employer and we don't stop anybody from having their own religious values." If young men and women are prepared to die for Ms. Widdecomb’s freedom, she should be a little less concerned about their faith (however absurd) and a little more grateful.

© Copyright 2004 by The Kensington Review, J. Myhre, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent.

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