Our lady of the diabolic

>> Worshipping the dark side isn't as bad as everyone thinks, Satanist asserts

by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Stephania Doré

Nickname: Tatsue

Age: 38

Occupation: Magistra of the Infernal Circle, a local chapter of the Satanic Kindred Organization who are loosely affiliated with the Church of Satan.

Bio: This saucy tattooed temptress and downtown resident was raised by Christians but understood early on in the game that her heart belonged to Satanism. Formally introduced to the Dark Angel by her first husband, she spent much of her late teens trying to conjure up ghoulies but after several attempts came to the conclusion that "It was all a bunch of shit. To conjure up anything is probably some form of psychosis." Inspired by the writings of Anton LaVey, these days Stephania is dedicated to educating people about the glory of Satanism. "Most people just don't understand what Satanism is about. We are not evil and we are not devil worshippers. We simply do not believe that God or any other force is responsible for our actions. We take 100 per cent responsibility for ourselves and try to live a better life in the right here and now." Although she doesn't go about putting spells on people lightly, Stephania, who earns her living as an artist, has been known to put the odd hex on people she feels have seriously fucked her over.

Does she spend all her days actively recruiting new souls to the cause of Satanism? No. "We never recruit. People eventually find us when they are ready to be enlightened."

When she walks into a Catholic church do the priests run for the holy water and try to douse her in it? No.

Would she cry out and shrivel up if they did? No.

Does she ever get together under the full moon with other Satanists and jump around in the nude conjuring up the Prince of Darkness? No. "We do not worship the devil. Don't confuse us with Lucifarians or Ozzy Osbourne fans who go biting the heads off bats and killing cats and things--all that Crowley and Merlin shit. These people are not Satanists."

Why Satanists, if they don't spend all their spare time praying to the Dark One, have chosen to name their religion after the Beast: "To antagonize."

A benevolent act the Infernal Circle has undertaken recently: Donating blood to the victims of the WTC bombing.

A benevolent act that Stephania undertakes regularly: Counselling abused women and helping them to find the strength that lies within them.

Something that the Infernal Circle feels strongly about: Animal rights.

Something she does to relax: Sits back in front of the tube with a good action movie and a joint.

Childhood ambition: To become a ballerina.

Current ambition: To see Satanism recognized as an official religion in Quebec, at which point Stephania will be able to marry people, give baptisms and conduct funerals in the good old Satanic way like nobody seems to do anymore.

Favourite television show: Sex and the City

A recent film she liked: The Sixth Sense

Musical preferences: Ozzy, Black Sabbath, Zeppelin, Guns N' Roses, White Zombie.

Last book read: The Satanic Bible, by Anton LaVey. "I'm not a big reader but this book is like a buddy to me."

Words of wisdom: "That which does not kill me makes me stronger." :

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca