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GENERAL INTRODUCTION
© CoM
1a. The CoM is a religious cult, dedicated to the adoration of the entity called Mastema. As "Archeplasma" (First Born) Mastema was originally named Saklitaboth (Saclitaboth), the first of seven archangels to be created by Kyrios (God) from fire. When Saklitaboth chose to defy the others he was expelled from the group, and as such he became known as Mastema. Some writers also refer to him as Samael. The names of the other six archangels were Mikael (Michael), Gabriel, Rafael (Raphael), Zedekiel, Zalathiel and Anael.
1b. Although it may be, as stated by the much acclaimed French professor Etienne Gilson (1884-1978), that "the general plan of creation would show an obvious gap if there were no angels in it" (Gilson, "The Christian Philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas", 1994, p. 162), the CoM — through a somewhat more inductive form of approach — simply acknowledges the facts as they are presented to us. There are many angels. Traditional categories include Seraphim, Cherubs, Thrones (thronoi), Dominations (or dominions, kyriotetes), Virtues (dynameis), Powers (exousiai), Principalities (archai), Archangels and common Angels (Colossians 1,16; Romans 8, 38; Ephesians 6, 12 a. o.). Although often claimed to be a cherub, the arcangel Mastema is in fact a seraph.
1c. Once expelled from the group Mastema coupled with the human Lilith (Adam's first wife), thus saving her from mortality and turning her into a demon. She is the Whore and mother of all other demons, and consequently she is adored by the Cult as an equal to her husband.
1d. Being a seraph himself, Mastema is much to large an entity to be summoned by common theurgy (see below). CoM members are encouraged to summon much smaller entities (such as minor demons), whereas Mastema and Lilith primarily are to be honoured and celebrated during masses. Since Mastema was born from fire, as Lilith was born from soil, one will find both of these elements present at most CoM masses. Also, Mastema is represented by the colour black, whereas Lilith is represented by the colour red.
1e. Although demons - just like human individuals - are to be regarded as autonomous creatures, in writing we generally refer to them as the children of Lilith and Mastema. By evocing them, we also acknowledge the power of their parents. By their appearance this power becomes manifest.
2a. The CoM does not worship "Satan". Members of the Cult have not taken side in a struggle against God Kyrios, and we do not condemn his apostles. Modern day secular Christianity has no interest to us at all.
2b. Since God Kyrios exists, acceptance is futile. The CoM does not "accept" God, and we do not "believe" in Him either. We hold it self evident that God simply is, and so — in a very private and friendly sort of way — we mostly choose to ignore Him, just like anybody else. To God we are all but an experiment, contrived for His amusement. Being almighty Kyrios does not suffer from vanity. He does not ask for hypocritical admiration, and He does not even desire our attention. He wants us to explore.
2c. Mastema is not God's enemy. He is not man's enemy either. The battle for the conquest of souls is no battle between "good" (Kyrios) and "evil" (Mastema), but simply a battle between minor entities, trying hard to smear their opponents (Ephesians, 6, 11-12). This battle has nothing to do with the existence of God Kyrios. It simply has to do with the way the world was created and it will continue for as long as He likes.
3a. Since spiritual creatures need to materialize in order to be able to act in an earthly manner, most of them need the assistance of humans. Through the forming a pact with a group of followers (Genesis17; Liber Al vel Legis II, 25+65 a. o.), an entity most often will get the opportunity to materialize at certain places and under certain circumstances (Genesis 28, 16-18; 35, 13-15 a. o.), but it will however never be entirely set free. Therefore it will lie, and it will try hard to convince it's followers that they need it's protection in order to secure them from the evil of others. It will almost inevitable claim to be much larger than it actually is. CoM members are warned not to act upon all entity calls.
3b. The place of materialization is usually called a focal point. The circumstances leading to materialization is called ritual, and the ability to perform such a ritual is called knowledge of theurgy (Genesis 13, 4 a. o.). The focal point is like a gateway the entity has to pass, and so the size of the gateway will in effect determine the size of the entity appearing before you. The larger the entity, the harder is is to control. If the focal point is a human being, we call this person a medium, and should the entity manage to take residence within a medium, we say that this person is possessed. Possession is not necessarily a bad thing.
3c. The - as it is said - "astral plane" (whether it be "heaven" or "hell") does not belong to anyone in particular. In refering to Vergil's notion, that "Facilis descensus Averno" ("It is easy to enter the underworld") each member of the CoM is called upon to develop his or her own private rituals in order that the power of Mastema will eventually come to be manifest in a great variety of ways. CoM members are also encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences with each other.
4a. CoM members are generally called upon to uphold certain basic principles concerning decent behaviour. All members are encouraged to be discreet, and to abtain from betraying their fellow members to the public.
4b. CoM members are encouraged to explore their own potentials. They are not encouraged to be plain egoistic. The CoM does not accept the misguided Fascist notion of social Darwinism, and we do not in any way condone race or gender discrimination. The CoM should not be considered an ideological or a political movement.
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CoM International