History UsefulNotes / Satanism

[[folder: Other non-theistic Satanic belief systems]]

[[folder: Theistic Satanism]]

[[folder: Resources about Satanism]]

[=LaVeyan=] Satanism has sometimes been deemed to be a philosophy rather than a religion, due to its atheistic nature. Because followers of [=LaVeyan=] Satanism do not literally believe that Satan exists, but rather use Satan to represent tenants of individualism, free will, wisdom, and enlightenment. However, [=LaVey=] termed his brand of Satanism as a religion because of the use of rituals, symbolism, etc. The argument [=LaVey=] makes in ''The Satanic Bible'' was that some people may feel the need for such activity, and thus the Church of Satan is offered as an alternative to individualistic atheists who none the less feel the need for the gratification provided by participation in some form of ritual, freely admitting that the rituals practiced by [=LaVeyan=] Satanists have only symbolic meaning and have no supernatural presence whatsoever. [=LaVeyan=] Satanism rejects the idea of prayer, offering instead that [=LaVeyan=] Satanists should accomplish something by their own means, rather than praying for a deity to do something for them.

Anton Szandor [=LaVey=] founded the Church of Satan in 1966 as an atheistic, Libertarian organization. [=LaVeyan=] Satanism teaches individualism, self-indulgence, and "eye for an eye" morality, as well as skepticism. Members of the Church of Satan consider themselves their own god, with their own birthdays to be considered their highest holiday.

Additionally, Ayn Rand's ''Literature/AtlasShrugged'' inspired the philosophy advocated in [=LaVey=]'s ''Nine Satanic Statements'', with [=LaVey=] later admitting that Satanism was essentially UsefulNotes/{{Objectivism}}, "with ceremony and ritual added". This statement is not entirely correct, as Rand's philosophy advocates that all activity must be born out of reason. [=LaVey=]'s advocation of hedonism is in sharp contrast with Rand's philosophy that activity which has a rational basis makes one happy. [=LaVey=], instead argues that any activity which makes one happy and does not infringe upon the rights of others is valid.

Inspired by John Milton's ''Paradise Lost'', proponents of Romanticism adopted Satanism to representing a crisis of faith, individualism, free will, wisdom and enlightenment. Such non-theistic Satanists also take inspiration from rare fictional works which depict Satan as a heroic figure, including categorizations by George Bernard Shaw and Mark Twain. The Satanic Temple, created by Harvard Graduate [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucien_Greaves Lucien Greaves]], which focuses on social activism and skepticism is an example.

The public perception of Satanism is often a mischaracterization of [=LaVeyan=] or Theistic Satanism as being little more than [[Main/TheThemeParkVersion a shadowy of cabal of evil lunatics worshiping Satan for personal gain.]] This image of Satanism largely emerged during what is known as the "Satanic Panic" of Main/TheEighties and Main/TheNineties. More specifically, there was widespread belief that Satanic cults operated in the United States and were responsible for the ritual abduction and sacrifice of children. Little to no evidence of this existed, but never the less a mass hysteria accumulated, particularly among Christian groups (for obvious reasons).

While the Satanic Panic has largely subsided, the image of Satanism, while not immaculate to begin with, was really dragged through the mud. Even today, there is little understanding as to what Satanism actually ''is'', and the mental image of gibbering lunatics sacrificing children over blood pentagrams is still popular, even if a little tongue-and-cheek. [=LaVeyan=] Satanism and atheistic Satanism in general have no relationship with theistic Satanism, but the two are often confused by writers of many fictional films, books, etc. which use imagery derived from the Church of Satan in conjunction with theistic Satan worship, which is not what the Church of Satan stands for. Part of this confusion probably results for the [=CoS=] heavy use of rituals, despite being atheistic.

It is difficult to determine if many people legitimately practice theistic Satanism, as this is often claimed as a form of rebellion or Shock Value, as with those who've appropriated images from [=LaVeyan=] Satanism.

In atheistic Satanism, Satan is merely a symbol for the beliefs of its followers. [=LaVeyan=] Satanism refers to the philosophy of Anton Szandor [=LaVey=], which is a type of atheistic Satanism, but separate from other forms of atheistic Satanism.

Two examples of Theistic Satanic belief systems include Luciferianism, which promotes the essential and inherent characteristics that are affixed and commonly given to Lucifer, some identifying Lucifer as the "light bearer" and illuminated aspect of Satan and others identifying Lucifer as a separate, more easy-going, positive ideal than Satan. Palladists are an alleged Theistic Satanist society or member of that society.

The Temple of Set has claimed to be the world's leading left-hand path religious organization. Established by Michael A. Aquino and former members of Anton [=LaVey's=] Church of Satan, the Temple does not have an official position on whether Satan literally exists. Hence, why the atheist [=LaVey=] disavowed them. Though individualistic, the Temple of Set is often categorized as a theistic Satanic organization. Set is supposedly the Dark Lord behind the Hebrew entity Satan. "Set" is also the name of an Egyptian deity.

!! [=LaVeyan=] Satanism

!! Other non-theistic Satanic belief systems

!! Theistic Satanism

!! Perception of Satanism

* [[http://greaterchurchoflucifer.org Greater Church of Lucifer]]