Satanism

For other uses of the word, see Satanism (disambiguation).

The downward-pointing pentagram is often used to represent Satanism.

Satanism can refer to a number of belief systems depending on the user and context. The Christian devil, thus being a Christian denomination,^[1] the worship of Satan outside of the Christian Mythos, thus not being a Christian denomination, the Occult/Ritual Magic, and the left hand path belief system founded by Anton LaVey.^[2] It is often the practice of any given Satanist not to refer to themselves with a hyphenated prefix. Each "type" of Satanist will usually refer to themselves only as Satanists.

Theistic Satanism

Part of the seal of Lucifer from the Grimorium Verum, used as a symbol of Satan by some Theistic Satanists

Main article: Theistic Satanism

Theistic Satanism, also called Spiritual or Traditional Satanism, is the worship of Satan and consists of several viewpoints and groups. One group that falls under the definition of Theistic Satanism are called "Reverse Christians"; this is sometimes used as a disparaging term by other theistic Satanists and is embraced to a lesser or greater extent by the groups given this label. Groups called "Reverse Christians" are said to practice what Christians claim Satanists do, and worship the enemy of Christ and God. Other groups of Theistic Satanists do not accept the Bible as depicting the true Satan to the same degree. The Spiritual Satanists however see Satan as a god that looks just like any other human but, as with all religions, is not uniform throughout all believers. While there are those who view Satan as a human-like entity, there are those who accept the ancient Roman image of Lucifer, and even those who imagine him as the image of the Greek god Pan. Spiritual Satanists tend to focus their time on meditation and self expansion. They claim that beliefs have nothing to do with Christianity or the Bible and their view on Satanism.

Luciferianism

Main article: Luciferianism

Luciferianism is a recently developed offshoot of Satanism that keeps most of the tenets of Satanism, yet it has more leniency to what is commonly referred to as a "good" morality. Their view of Satan may incorporate some concepts from contemporary western religion, such as the sense of him by some of them as a father. One of these groups considers themselves to be "Christian Satanists," rejects the ideas of magic and rituals, and define themselves as being in the middle of LaVeyan Satanism and Christian teachings. This stance has led to their rejection from the Church of Satan.^[3]

Atheistic Satanism

Peter H. Gilmore, High Priest of the Church of Satan. Gilmore took over the church from Blanche Barton, Anton LaVey's partner and the former High Priestess.

LaVeyan Satanism

Main article: 'LaVeyan' Satanism

'LaVeyan' Satanists are technically Atheists and Agnostics and believe that Satan is a metaphor that represents the natural urges of mankind.^[4] The term LaVeyan Satanist, or symbolic Satanist, is used by other Satanists to refer to supporters of the writings of Church of Satan founder Anton Szandor LaVey and successors such as Peter H. Gilmore.^[5] Use of the word Satanism in this context, according to religioustolerance.org, refers to a "small religious group that is unrelated to any other faith, and whose members feel free to satisfy their urges responsibly, exhibit kindness to their friends, and attack their enemies."^[6]

Temple of Set

Main article: Temple of Set

The largest or most visible organized group of Religious Satanists appears to be the Temple of Set, organized by Michael Aquino from members of the Church of Satan who left that Church in 1975.

Symbolic Satanism

Symbolic Satanism^[7][8] (sometimes called Modern Satanism) is the observance and practice of Satanic religious beliefs, philosophies and customs.^[9] In this interpretation of Satanism, the Satanist does not worship Satan in the theistic sense, but is an adversary to all spiritual creeds, espousing hedonism, materialism, Randian Objectivism, antinomianism, rational egoism, individualism, suitheism, Nietzschean and some Crowleyan philosophy and anti-theism.

Groups alleged to have practiced Satanism

Many groups have been believed to have worshiped Satan, from pagans celebrating Pan to Yezidis worshiping Melek Taus.^[10] In reality, the Yezidi do not view themselves as Satanist, as the being they worship is referred to by them as an angel, and considered a servant of the God of Adam. Anton LaVey himself believed the Yezidi to be devil-worshippers, but he believed it due to stereotypes and rumors about them propagated by both Westerners and Muslim communities, as some viewed the Yezidi's customs to have been corrupted by Satan.

Satanism and heavy metal music

Heavy metal music has often been connected with Satanism, in part to the lyrical content of several bands and their frequent use of imagery often tied to left hand path beliefs (such as the upside-down pentagram). As a result, members of several bands, including Slayer and Black Sabbath, have faced accusations of being true Satanists. More often than not, such musicians say they do not believe in legitimate Satanic ideology and often profess to being atheists or, in some instances, followers of right hand path religions, while using that which appears to be "Satanic" for entertainment purposes and shock value.^[11]

However, while some debate their authenticity, other artists have professed Satanic beliefs. Glen Benton, vocalist and bassist of the band Deicide, once openly claimed to be a practitioner of Theistic Satanism, and has spoken publicly on numerous occasions^[12] to profess staunch anti-Christian sentiment. Norwegian black metal artists, such as those from bands Gorgoroth and Mayhem, have also defended modern Satanic ideology.^[13] Numerous burnings of churches that covered parts of Norway in the early 1990s were also attributed to youths involved in the black metal movement, who claimed to have theistic Satanic beliefs and strong "anti-LaVeyan" attitudes.^[14] However, the legitimacy of such actions as Satanic endeavors, rather than simply rebellious actions done for publicity, is something that has been doubted by even those who contribute to the genre.^[15]

See also

• Hellfire Club
• Might is Right
• Satanic holidays
• Thelema

References

Further reading

• Michelet, Jules (1862). Satanism and Witchcraft: The Classic Study of Medieval Superstition. ISBN 978-0806500591.  Considered the first modern work to discuss Satanism.
• Cavendish, Richard (1967). The Black Arts: An Absorbing Account of Witchcraft, Demonology, Astrology, and Other Mystical Practices Throughout the Ages. ISBN 978-0399500350.  Summary of the history of Witchcraft, Satanism, and Devil Worship in the last part of the book.
• Zacharias, Gerhard (1980). The Satanic Cult. ISBN 978-0041330083.  Translated from the 1964 German edition by Christine Trollope.
• Medway, Gareth (2001). Lure of the Sinister: The Unnatural History of Satanism. ISBN 978-0814756454. 
• Noctulius, Emperor (2007). the path to satan. 

External links

• Sinagogue of Satan Manifesto
• Theistic Satanism resource site
• Religious Tolerance page on Satanism
• Modern Church of Satan
• Modern Satanism
• Description, Philosophies and Justification of Satanism
• Satanism of All Types Both Fictional and Actual
• Allee Shadow Tradition FAQ, by former Church of Satan member John Allee.