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

Satanism can refer to a number of belief systems depending on the user and context. Common use of the word generally refers to the worship of Satan as described in the Christian Bible or the practice of ritual magic. However, by the actual adherents, the suffix -ism is used by some groups to suggest the definition as an act or practice, as opposed to the oft-assumed definition as the doctrine or philosophy behind an act or practice.

Generally, the word "Satanism" is used by scholars to describe several distinct spiritual practices and beliefs; the two most significant seem to be LaVeyan Satanism and Theistic Satanism. Ideas about Satan come from essentially these two sources. It is often the practice of any given Satanist not to refer to themselves with a hyphenated prefix. Each "type" of Satanist will usually only refer to themselves as Satanists.

LaVeyan Satanism

In LaVeyan Satanism the Satanist plays the role of the adversary to spiritual creeds, espousing social Darwinism, hedonism, Randian Objectivism, Nietzschean philosophy and atheism. The term LaVeyan Satanist is used by others to refer to supporters of the writings of Church of Satan founder Anton Szandor LaVey and successors such as Peter H. Gilmore. Careful use of the word Satanism, according to one website, 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.

Theistic Satanism

Modern Theistic Satanism, also called Spiritual Satanism, contains several groups. They occassionally consider themselves to be the true Satanists and see no need for the use of the word "Theistic" to qualify the term, instead explaining the atheistic, symbolic form of Satanism by using the term LaVeyan Satanism. Another 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 embraced to a lesser of greater extent by the groups given this label. Groups called "Reverse Christian" are said to practice what Christians claim Satanists do, and worship what Christians consider to be the enemy of Christ and God, basing their concept of Satan somewhat on descriptions of him in the bible. Some other groups of theistic Satanists do not accept the bible as depicting the true Satan to the same degree, basing their concept of him on personal spiritual experience and prayer.

Recently developed is an offshoot of Satanism that keeps most of the tenets of Satanism, yet 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 their sense of him 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.

Groups alleged to have practiced Satanism

Many groups have been believed to have worshpped Satan, from Pagans celebrating Pan to Yezidis worshiping Melek Taus. However, most pagans are very adamant that they are not Satanists, and the Yezidi probably do not view themseves as Satanist, as the being they worship is referred to by them as an angel. Anton LaVey himself believed the Yezidi to be devil-worshippers, but he believed it due to stereotypes and rumours about them propagated by both Westerners and Muslim communities. "Satanist" is often a pejorative word applied to a minority group, or a group whose beliefs are misunderstood. Even Thelema has been considered Theistic Satanism, for Aleister Crowley’s Liber SAMEKH contains this phrase "Thou Satan-Sun Hadith that goest without will", But Hadith himself is not Satan, but is one of the three Egyptian Gods described in Crowley's "Book of the Law". Most of Crowley's work shows he did not consider himself a black brother, and modern Thelemites such as the Ordo Templi Orientis do not consider themselves to be Satanists, but a fraternal Gnostic order with a structure that seeks to resembles freemasonry.

References

satanism - Definitions from Dictionary.com
^ Flowers, Stephen (1997). Lords of the Left-hand Path. Runa-Raven Press. ISBN 1-885972-08-3.
Satanism 101
Satanism
Witches, Wiccans, and the "True Satanist"
“The Devil Worshippers of the Middle East : Their Beliefs & Sacred Books” Holmes Pub Group LLC (December 1993) ISBN-10: 1558182314 ISBN-13: 978-1558182318
“Magick in Theory and Practice” Dover Press, 1973 LCCCN 75-30174

Books on the history of Satanism

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. Translated from the 1964 German edition by Christine Trollope
Medway, Gareth (2001). Lure of the Sinister: The Unnatural History of Satanism. ISBN 978-0814756454.

External links

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