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Theistic Satanism

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 This article contains weasel words: vague phrasing that often accompanies biased or unverifiable information. Such statements should be clarified or removed. (October 2009)



 Part of the sigil of Lucifer from the Grimorium Verum, used by some theistic Satanists as a symbol for Satan/Lucifer.
Theistic Satanism (also known as traditional Satanism or spiritual Satanism) is the belief that Satan is a supernatural being or force that individuals may contact and supplicate to,[1][2] and represents loosely affiliated or independent groups and cabals which hold such a belief. Another characteristic of Theistic Satanism include the use of ceremonial magic.[3] Unlike LaVeyan Satanism, as founded by Anton LaVey in the 1960s, theistic Satanism is theistic[3] as opposed to atheistic, believing that Satan (Hebrew: הַשָׂטָן ha-Satan, ‘the accuser’) is a real entity[3] rather than an archetype.
The history of theistic Satanism and assessments of its existence and prevalence in history is obscured by it having been grounds for execution at some times in the past, and people having been accused of Satanism who did not worship Satan, such as the witch trials in Early Modern Europe. Most theistic Satanism exists in relatively new models and ideologies, many of which claim not to be involved with the Abrahamic religions at all.[4][5][6]


Contents  [hide]
1 Possible history
2 Satanism and crime
3 Values in theistic Satanism
4 Diversity of beliefs within theistic Satanism
5 See also
6 References
7 Further reading
8 External links

Possible history[edit]



 Illustration by Martin van Maële, of a Witches' Sabbath, in the 1911 edition of La Sorciere, by Jules Michelet.
The worship of Satan was a frequent charge against those charged in the witch trials in Early Modern Europe and other witch-hunts such as the Salem witch trials. Worship of Satan was claimed to take place at the Witches' Sabbath.[7] The charge of Satan worship has also been made against groups or individuals regarded with suspicion, such as the Knights Templar, or minority religions.[8] In the case of the Knights Templar, the templars' writings mentioned the word 'baphomet', which was a french corruption of the name 'Mohammed' (the prophet of the people who the templars fought against), and that 'baphomet' was falsely portrayed as a demon by the people who accused the templars.
It is not known to what extent accusations of groups worshiping Satan in the time of the witch trials identified people who did consider themselves Satanists, rather than being the result of religious superstition or mass hysteria, or charges made against individuals suffering from mental illness. Confessions are unreliable, particularly as they were usually obtained under torture.[9] However, scholar Jeffrey Burton Russell, Professor Emeritus of the University of California at Santa Barbara, has made extensive arguments in his book Witchcraft in the Middle Ages[10] that not all witch trial records can be dismissed and that there is in fact evidence linking witchcraft to gnostic heresies. Russell comes to this conclusion after having studied the source documents themselves. Individuals involved in the Affair of the Poisons were accused of Satanism and witchcraft.



 Eliphas Levi's Baphomet, adopted symbol of some Left-Hand Path systems, including theistic Satanism.
Historically, Satanist was a pejorative term for those with opinions that differed from predominant religious or moral beliefs.[11] Paul Tuitean believes the idea of acts of “reverse Christianity” was created by the Inquisition,[12] but George Battaille believes that inversions of Christian rituals such as the Mass may have existed prior to the descriptions of them which were obtained through the witchcraft trials.[13]



 The full sigil of Lucifer, as it originally appeared in the Grimorium Verum
In the 18th century various kinds of popular “Satanic” literature began to be produced in France, including some well-known grimoires with instructions for making a pact with the Devil. Most notable are the Grimorium Verum and The Grand Grimoire. The Marquis de Sade describes defiling crucifixes and other holy objects, and in his novel Justine he gives a fictional account of the Black Mass,[14] although Ronald Hayman has said Sade's need for blasphemy was an emotional reaction and rebellion from which Sade moved on, seeking to develop a more reasoned atheistic philosophy.[15] In the 19th century, Eliphas Levi published his French books of the occult, and in 1855 produced his well-known drawing of the Baphomet which continues to be used by some Satanists today (for example the sigil of Baphomet). Finally, in 1891, Joris-Karl Huysmans published his Satanic novel, Là-bas, which included a detailed description of a Black Mass which he may have known first-hand was being performed in Paris at the time,[16] or the account may have been based on the masses carried out by Étienne Guibourg, rather than by Huysmans attending himself.[17] Quotations from Huysmans' Black Mass are also used in some Satanic rituals to this day since it is one of the few sources that purports to describe the words used in a Black Mass. The type of Satanism described in Là-Bas suggests that prayers are said to the Devil, hosts are stolen from the Catholic Church, and sexual acts are combined with Roman Catholic altar objects and rituals, to produce a variety of Satanism which exalts the Devil and degrades the God of Christianity by inverting Roman Catholic rites. George Bataille claims that Huysman's description of the Black Mass is “indisputably authentic”.[13] Not all theistic Satanists today routinely perform the Black Mass, possibly because the mass is not a part of modern evangelical Christianity in Protestant countries[18] and so not such an unintentional influence on Satanist practices in those countries.
Michael Aquino published a rare 1970 text of a Church of Satan black mass, the Missa Solemnis, in his book The Church of Satan,[19] and Anton LaVey included a different Church of Satan black mass, the Messe Noire, in his 1972 book The Satanic Rituals. LaVey's books on Satanism, which began in the 1960s, were for a long time the few available which advertised themselves as being Satanic, although others detailed the history of witchcraft and Satanism, such as The Black Arts by Richard Cavendish published in 1967 and the classic French work Satanism and Witchcraft, by Jules Michelet. Anton LaVey specifically denounced “devil worshippers” and the idea of praying to Satan.
Satanism and crime[edit]
The Satanic ritual abuse moral panic of the 1980s and 1990s was centered on fears or beliefs about traditional Satanism sacrificing children and committing crimes as part of rituals involving devil worship.[20] Allegations included the existence of large networks of organized Satanists involved in illegal activities such as murder, child pornography and prostitution; iconic cases such as the McMartin preschool trial were launched after children were repeatedly and coercively interrogated by social workers, resulting in false allegation of child sexual abuse. No evidence was ever found to support any of the allegations of Satanism or ritual abuse, but the panic resulted in numerous wrongful prosecutions.
John Allee, founder of the First Church of Satan,[21] equates some of the "violent fringe" of Satanism as "Devil worshipers" and "reverse Christians". He believes they possibly suffer from a form of psychosis.[22] Between 1992 and 1996, some participants in the Norwegian black metal scene, notable for criticizing the Church of Satan as being too "humane",[23] committed over fifty arsons of Christian churches in and around Oslo as a retaliatory action against Christianity in Norway.[24]
Some studies of crimes have also looked at the theological perspective of those who commit religious or ritualised crime.[25] Criminals who explain their crimes by claiming to be Satanists have been said by sociologists to be "pseudo-Satanists",[26] and attempts to link Satanism to crime have been seen by theistic Satanists as scaremongering.[27] In the 1980s and the 1990s there were multiple allegations of sexual abuse of children or non-consenting adults in the context of Satanic rituals in what has come to be known as The Satanic Panic. In the United States, the Kern County child abuse cases, McMartin preschool trial and the West Memphis 3 cases were widely reported. One case took place in Jordan, Minnesota, in which children made allegations of manufacturing child pornography, ritualistic animal sacrifice, coprophagia, urophagia and infanticide, at which point the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was alerted. Twenty-four adults were arrested and charged with acts of sexual abuse, child pornography and other crimes claimed to be related to Satanic ritual abuse; three went to trial, two were acquitted and one convicted. Supreme Court Justice Scalia noted in a discussion of the case that "[t]here is no doubt that some sexual abuse took place in Jordan; but there is no reason to believe it was as widespread as charged", and cited the repeated, coercive techniques used by the investigators as damaging to the investigation.
Values in theistic Satanism[edit]
Seeking knowledge is seen by some theistic Satanists as being important to Satan, due to Satan being equated with the serpent in Genesis, which encouraged mankind to partake of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.[28] Some perceive Satan as Eliphas Levi's conception of Baphomet- a hermaphroditic bestower of knowledge (gnosis). Satanic groups, such as Luciferians, also seek to gain greater gnosis;[3] these Satanists view Yahweh as the demiurge and Satan as the transcendent being beyond.[3]
Self-development is important to theistic Satanists. This is due to the Satanists' idea of Satan, who is seen to encourage individuality and freedom of thought, and the quest to raise one's self up despite resistance, through means such as magic and initiative. They believe Satan wants a more equal relationship with his followers than the Abrahamic God does with his. From a theistic Satanist perspective, the Abrahamic religions (chiefly Christianity) do not define “good” or “evil” in terms of benefit or harm to humanity, but rather on the submission to or rebellion against God.[29] Some Satanists seek to remove any means by which they are controlled or repressed by others and forced to follow the herd, and reject non-governmental authoritarianism.[30]
As Satan in the Old Testament tests people, theistic Satanists may believe that Satan sends them tests in life in order to develop them as individuals. They value taking responsibility for oneself. Despite the emphasis on self-development, some theistic Satanists believe that there is a will of Satan for the world and for their own lives. They may promise to help bring about the will of Satan,[31] and seek to gain insight about it through prayer, study, or magic. In the Bible, a being called 'the prince of this world' is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 4:4, which Christians typically equate with Satan.[32] Some Satanists therefore think that Satan can help them meet their worldly needs and desires if they pray or work magic. They would also have to do what they could in everyday life to achieve their goals, however.
Theistic Satanists may try not to project an image that reflects negatively on their religion as a whole and reinforces stereotypes, such as promoting Nazism (found in a few groups), abuse, or crime.[30] However, some groups, such as the Order of Nine Angles, criticise the emphasis on promoting a good image for Satanism; the ONA described LaVeyan Satanism as “weak, deluded and American form of ‘sham-Satanic groups, the poseurs’”,[33] and ONA member Stephen Brown claimed that “the Temple of Set seems intent only on creating a ‘good public impression’, with promoting an ‘image’”.[34] The order emphasises that its way “is and is meant to be dangerous”[35] and “[g]enuine Satanists are dangerous people to know; associating with them is a risk”.[36] In particular, there is argument over animal sacrifice, with most groups seeing it as both unnecessary and putting Satanism in a bad light, and distancing themselves from the few groups that practice it.[37] Similarly, the Misanthropic Luciferian Order has criticized both the Church of Satan and the Temple of Set as “trying to make Setianism and the ruler of darkness, Set, into something accepted and harmless, this way attempting to become a ‘big’ religion, accepted and acknowledged by the rest of the Judaeo-Christian society”.[3] The order rejects Christianity, Judaism, and Islam as “the opposite of everything that strengthens the spirit and is only good for killing what little that is beautiful, noble and honourable in this filthy world”.[3]
Diversity of beliefs within theistic Satanism[edit]
The internet has increased awareness of different beliefs among Satanists, and led to more diverse groups. But Satanism has always been a pluralistic and decentralised religion.[38] Scholars outside Satanism have sought to study it by categorizing forms of it according to whether they are theistic or atheistic[39] and referred to the worship of the Devil as traditional Satanism or theistic Satanism.[1] It is generally a prerequisite to being considered a theistic Satanist that the Satanist accept a theological and metaphysical canon involving one or more God(s) who are either Satan in the strictest, Abrahamic sense, or a concept of Satan that incorporates gods from other religions (usually pre-Christian), such as Ahriman. Some theistic Satanists believe in Satan as the All, a force filling the universe.[40] Many theistic Satanists believe their own individualized concept based on pieces of all these diverse conceptions of Satan, according to their inclination and spiritual guidance, rather than only believe in one suggested interpretation. Some may choose to live out the myths and stereotypes, but Christianity is not always the primary frame of reference for theistic Satanists.[41] Their religion may be based on dark pagan, left hand path and occult traditions. Theistic Satanists who base their faith on Christian ideas about Satan may be referred to as “Reverse Christians” by other Satanists, often in a pejorative fashion.[42] However, those labeled by some as “reverse Christians” may see their concept of Satan as undiluted or sanitized. They worship a stricter interpretation of Satan: that of the Satan featured in the Christian Bible.[43] This is not, however, shared by a majority of theistic Satanists. Wiccans may consider most Satanism to be reverse Christianity,[44] and the head of the atheistic Church of Satan, Peter H. Gilmore, considers “devil worship” to be a Christian heresy, that is, a divergent form of Christianity.[45] The diversity of individual beliefs within theistic Satanism, while being a cause for intense debates within the religion, is also often seen as a reflection of Satan, who encourages individualism.[46]
A notable group that outwardly considers themselves to be traditional Satanists is the Order of Nine Angles.[47] This group became controversial and was mentioned in the press and in books, because they promoted human sacrifice.[48] A group with very different ideology to the ONA is Satanic Reds, whose Satanism has a communist element.[49] However, they are not theistic Satanist in the manner of believing in Satan as a god with a personality, but believe in dark deism,[50] the belief that Satan is a presence in nature. The First Church of Satan believe the philosophy propounded by Anton LaVey himself was deism or panentheism but is propounded as atheism by the leaders of the Church of Satan in order to distance themselves from what they see as pseudo-Satanists.[51]
Another group is Joy of Satan, which was founded in 2002 by Andrea Maxine Dietrich of Tulsa, Oklahoma.[citation needed]
One other group is the Temple of the Black Light, formerly known as the Misanthropic Luciferian Order. The group espouses a philosophy known as “Chaosophy”. Chaosophy asserts that the world that we live in, and the universe that it lives in, all exists within the realm known as Cosmos. Cosmos is made of three spatial dimensions and one linear time dimension. Cosmos rarely ever changes and is a materialistic realm. Another realm that exists is known as Chaos. Chaos exists outside of the Cosmos and is made of infinite dimensions and unlike the Cosmos, it is always changing. Members of the TotBL believe that the realm of Chaos is ruled over by 11 dark gods, the highest of them being Satan, and all of said gods are considered manifestations of a higher being. This higher being is known as Azerate, the Dragon Mother, and is all of the 11 gods united as one. The TotBL believes that Azerate will resurrect one day and destroy the Cosmos and let Chaos consume everything. The group has been connected to the Swedish black/death metal band Dissection, particularly its front man Jon Nödtveidt.[3] Nödtveidt was introduced to the group “at an early stage”.[52] The lyrics on the band's third album, Reinkaos, are all about beliefs of the Temple of the Black Light.[53] Nödtveidt committed suicide in 2006.[54][55]



 Theistic Satanists may respectfully work with demons found in traditional grimoires.


 Lucifer (in the lower right) shown in a defiant pose.
Luciferian groups such as the Church of Lucifer and the Children of the Black Rose are particularly inspired by Lucifer (from the Latin for ‘bearer of light’), who they may or may not equate with Satan. While some theologians believe the son of the dawn, Lucifer and other names were actually used to refer to contemporary political figures, such as a Babylonian King, rather than a single spiritual entity[56][57][58] (although on the surface the Bible explicitly refers to the King of Tyrus), those that believe it refers to Satan infer that by implication it also applies to the fall of Satan.[59] The Church of the Black Goat believe Satan and Lucifer are the same being in his light and dark aspects. Some writers equate the veneration of Set by the Temple of Set to theistic Satanism;[1] however, the Temple of Set do not identify as theistic Satanists. They believe the Egyptian deity Set is the real Dark Lord behind the name Satan, of whom Satan is just a caricature. Their practices primarily center on self-development. Within the temple of Set, the Black Flame is the individual's god-like core which is a kindred spirit to Set, and they seek to develop. In theistic Satanism, the Black Flame is knowledge which was given to humanity by Satan, who is a being independent of the Satanist himself[60] and which he can dispense to the Satanist who seeks knowledge.[61]
The diversity of beliefs amongst Satanists, and the theistic nature of some Satanists, was seen in a survey in 1995. Some spoke of seeing Satan not as someone dangerous to those who seek or worship him, but as someone that could be approached as a friend. Some refer to him as Father, though some other theistic Satanists consider that to be confused or excessively subservient.[62] However, in the Bible Satan is called the father of his followers in John 8:44, and bad people are called "children of the devil" in 1 John 3:10. Satan is also portrayed as a father to his daughter, Sin, by Milton in Paradise Lost.
Many groups such as the 600 Club[38] are accepting of all types of Satanists, as are the Synagogue of Satan, which aims for the ultimate destruction of religions, paradoxically including itself, and encourages not self-indulgence, but self-expression balanced by social responsibility.[63][64][65]
Theistic Satanism often involves a religious commitment[according to whom?] rather than being simply an occult practice based on dabbling or transient enjoyment of the rituals and magic involved.[26][66] Practitioners may choose to perform a self-dedication rite, although there are arguments over whether it is best to do this at the beginning of their time as a theistic Satanist, or once they have been practicing for some time.[67]

See also[edit]
Abrahamic religions
Azazel
Demonology
Devil
Dualism
Folk religion
God as the Devil
Left-hand path and right-hand path
Luciferianism
Magic (paranormal)
Melek Taus
Misotheism
Moral panic
Palladists
Satanism
Witchcraft
References[edit]
1.^ Jump up to: a b c Partridge, Christopher Hugh (2004). The Re-enchantment of the West. p. 82. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
2.Jump up ^ Prayers to Satan
3.^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h "Interview_MLO". Angelfire.com. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
4.Jump up ^ The Origins of Satanism
5.Jump up ^ Joy of Satan 'About Satan' Page
6.Jump up ^ The Origins of Satan, Why Sumeria? at the Wayback Machine (archived April 24, 2012)
7.Jump up ^ Servants of Satan, page 2
8.Jump up ^ Servants of Satan, page 22
9.Jump up ^ Servants of Satan, page 12
10.Jump up ^ Witchcraft in the Middle Ages - Jeffrey Burton Russell - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
11.Jump up ^ Behrendt, Stephen C. (1983). The Moment of Explosion: Blake and the Illustration of Milton. U of Nebraska Press. p. 437. Retrieved 2008-06-06.
12.Jump up ^ Tuitean, Paul; Estelle Daniels (1998). Pocket Guide to Wicca. The Crossing Press. p. 22. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
13.^ Jump up to: a b Battaille, George (1986). Erotism: Death and Sensuality. Dalwood, Mary (trans.). City Lights. p. 126. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
14.Jump up ^ Sade, Donatien (2006). The Complete Marquis De Sade. translators: Paul J. Gillette, John S. Yankowski. Holloway House. pp. 157–158. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
15.Jump up ^ Hayman, Ronald (2003). Marquis de Sade: The Genius of Passion. Tauris Parke. pp. 30–31. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
16.Jump up ^ Huysmans, Joris-Karl (1972). La Bas. Keene Wallace (trans.). Courier Dover. back cover. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
17.Jump up ^ Laver, James (1954). The First Decadent: Being the Strange Life of J.K. Huysmans. Faber and Faber. p. 121.
18.Jump up ^ Christiano, Kevin; William H. Swatos; Peter Kivisto (2001). Sociology of Religion: Contemporary Developments. Rowman Altamira. p. 319. Retrieved 2008-06-07.
19.Jump up ^ Aquino, Michael (2002). The Church of Satan., Appendix 7.
20.Jump up ^ Frankfurter, D (2006). Evil Incarnate: Rumors of Demonic Conspiracy and Ritual Abuse in History. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-11350-5.
21.Jump up ^ Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, by the Gale Group, Inc.
22.Jump up ^ Is Devil Worship A Symptom of Psychosis?
23.Jump up ^ [Moynihan, Michael and Soderlind, Didrik, Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground (2003), p. 220]
24.Jump up ^ [Lords of Chaos, p. 89]
25.Jump up ^ Yonke, David (2006). Sin, Shame, and Secrets: The Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest. p. 150. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
26.^ Jump up to: a b Gallagher, Eugene V. (2004). The New Religious Movements Experience in America. p. 190. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
27.Jump up ^ Dawn Perlmutter and her Institute for the Research of Organized and Ritual Violence
28.Jump up ^ Partridge, Christopher Hugh (2004). The Re-enchantment of the West. p. 228. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
29.Jump up ^ Elliot Rose on "Evil"
30.^ Jump up to: a b Lewis, James R.; Jesper Aagaard Petersen (2004). Controversial New Religions. Oxford University Press. pp. 446–447. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
31.Jump up ^ Mickaharic, Draja (1995). Practice of Magic: An Introductory Guide to the Art. Weiser. p. 62. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
32.Jump up ^ Ladd, George Eldon (1993). A Theology of the New Testament. p. 333. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
33.Jump up ^ Commentary on Dreamers of the Dark.
34.Jump up ^ Stephen Brown: The Satanic Letters of Stephen Brown: St. Brown to Dr. Aquino (online version).
35.Jump up ^ The True Way of the ONA.
36.Jump up ^ Satanism: The Epitome of Evil.
37.Jump up ^ Animal Sacrifice and the Law
38.^ Jump up to: a b Lewis, James R.; Jesper Aagaard Petersen (2004). Controversial New Religions. Oxford University Press. p. 429. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
39.Jump up ^ Gallagher, Eugene V. (2004). The New Religious Movements Experience in America. Greenwood Publishing. p. 190. ISBN 0-313-32807-2.
40.Jump up ^ Lewis, James R.; Jesper Aagaard Petersen (2004). Controversial New Religions. Oxford University Press. p. 438. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
41.Jump up ^ Lewis, James R.; Jesper Aagaard Petersen (2004). Controversial New Religions. Oxford University Press. p. 442. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
42.Jump up ^ Marburg Journal of Religion (June 2001) Lewis, James R
43.Jump up ^ Archived Cathedral of the Black Goat 'Views' Page
44.Jump up ^ Metzger, Richard; Grant Morrisson (2003). Book of Lies: The Disinformation Guide to Magick and the Occult. The Disinformation Company. p. 266. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
45.Jump up ^ Satanism: The Feared Religion
46.Jump up ^ Susej, Tsirk (2007). The Demonic Bible. p. 11. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
47.Jump up ^ Satanism: An Introduction, II. Modern Satanism, hosted on the The Religious Movements Homepage Project
48.Jump up ^ Lewis, James R. (2001). Satanism Today: An Encyclopedia of Religion. ABC-CLIO. p. 234. ISBN 1-57607-759-4.
49.Jump up ^ Lewis, James R. (2001). Satanism Today: An Encyclopedia of Religion. ABC-CLIO. p. 240. ISBN 1-57607-759-4.
50.Jump up ^ Devil Worship
51.Jump up ^ Church of Satan Rap Sheet: The Official Site
52.Jump up ^ "Dissection. Interview with Jon Nödtveidt. June 2003". Metal Centre. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
53.Jump up ^ "Official Dissection Website :: Reinkaos". Dissection.nu. Archived from the original on 2011-11-30.
54.Jump up ^ "Dissection Frontman Jon Nödtveidt Commits Suicide". Metal Storm. 2006-08-18. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
55.Jump up ^ "Dissection Guitarist: Jon Nödtveidt Didn't Have Copy of 'The Satanic Bible' at Suicide Scene". Blabbermouth. 2006-08-23. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
56.Jump up ^ Lucifer King Of Babylon
57.Jump up ^ Satan, Devil and Demons - Isaiah 14:12-14
58.Jump up ^ Apologetics Press - Is Satan “Lucifer"?
59.Jump up ^ Catholic Encyclopedia: Devil
60.Jump up ^ Ford, Michael (2005). Luciferian Witchcraft. p. 373. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
61.Jump up ^ Partridge, Christopher Hugh (2004). The Re-enchantment of the West. p. 82. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
62.Jump up ^ Pike, Randall (2007). The Man with Confused Eyes. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
63.Jump up ^ Brown, Seth (2004). Think You're the Only One? Oddball Groups Where Outsiders Fit In. Barnes and Noble. pp. 99–100. ISBN 0-7607-5708-9.
64.Jump up ^ John, Mitchell (2009). "Local writer compiles directory of unusual organizations". http://www.lastvisibledog.org/berkshirearts/Seth_Brown.html.
65.Jump up ^ Mathews, Chris (2009). Modern Satanism: anatomy of a radical subculture. Praeger Publishers. p. 92. ISBN 978-0-313-36639-0.
66.Jump up ^ Partridge, Christopher Hugh (2004). The Re-enchantment of the West. p. 83. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
67.Jump up ^ Pacts and self-initiation
Further reading[edit]
Ellis, Bill, Raising the Devil: Satanism, New Religions and the Media (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2000).
Hertenstein, Mike; Jon Trott, Selling Satan: The Evangelical Media and the Mike Warnke Scandal (Chicago: Cornerstone, 1993).
Brown, Seth; Think you're the only one? (Barnes & Noble Books 2004)
Medway, Gareth J.; The Lure of the Sinister: The Unnatural History of Satanism (New York and London: New York University Press, 2001).
Michelet, Jules, Satanism and Witchcraft: A Study in Medieval Superstition (English translation of 1862 French work).
Palermo, George B.; Michele C. Del Re: Satanism: Psychiatric and Legal Views (American Series in Behavioral Science and Law) . Charles C Thomas Pub Ltd (November 1999)
Pike, Albert, Morals and Dogma (1871)
Richardson, James T.; Joel Best; David G. Bromley, The Satanism Scare (New York: Aldine de Gruyter, 1991).
Vera, Diane, Theistic Satanism: The new Satanisms of the era of the Internet
Karlsson, Thomas (February 2008). Qabalah, Qliphoth and Goetic Magic. ISBN 0-9721820-1-2.
Ford, Michael (March 2005). Luciferian Witchcraft. ISBN 1-4116-2638-9.
Baddeley, Gavin; Lucifer Rising, A Book of Sin, Devil Worship and Rock 'n' Roll (Plexus Publishing, November 1999)
Webb, Don (March 1999). Uncle Setnakt's Essential Guide to the Left Hand Path. ISBN 1-885972-10-5.
Zacharias, Gerhard (1980). The Satanic Cult. ISBN 0-04-133008-0. Translated from the German Satanskult und Schwarze Messe by Christine Trollope.
External links[edit]
Articles and essays about theistic Satanism from about.com
Theistic Satanism and Left Hand Path oriented links
Satanism Organizations at DMOZ
  


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Theistic Satanism

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 This article contains weasel words: vague phrasing that often accompanies biased or unverifiable information. Such statements should be clarified or removed. (October 2009)



 Part of the sigil of Lucifer from the Grimorium Verum, used by some theistic Satanists as a symbol for Satan/Lucifer.
Theistic Satanism (also known as traditional Satanism or spiritual Satanism) is the belief that Satan is a supernatural being or force that individuals may contact and supplicate to,[1][2] and represents loosely affiliated or independent groups and cabals which hold such a belief. Another characteristic of Theistic Satanism include the use of ceremonial magic.[3] Unlike LaVeyan Satanism, as founded by Anton LaVey in the 1960s, theistic Satanism is theistic[3] as opposed to atheistic, believing that Satan (Hebrew: הַשָׂטָן ha-Satan, ‘the accuser’) is a real entity[3] rather than an archetype.
The history of theistic Satanism and assessments of its existence and prevalence in history is obscured by it having been grounds for execution at some times in the past, and people having been accused of Satanism who did not worship Satan, such as the witch trials in Early Modern Europe. Most theistic Satanism exists in relatively new models and ideologies, many of which claim not to be involved with the Abrahamic religions at all.[4][5][6]


Contents  [hide]
1 Possible history
2 Satanism and crime
3 Values in theistic Satanism
4 Diversity of beliefs within theistic Satanism
5 See also
6 References
7 Further reading
8 External links

Possible history[edit]



 Illustration by Martin van Maële, of a Witches' Sabbath, in the 1911 edition of La Sorciere, by Jules Michelet.
The worship of Satan was a frequent charge against those charged in the witch trials in Early Modern Europe and other witch-hunts such as the Salem witch trials. Worship of Satan was claimed to take place at the Witches' Sabbath.[7] The charge of Satan worship has also been made against groups or individuals regarded with suspicion, such as the Knights Templar, or minority religions.[8] In the case of the Knights Templar, the templars' writings mentioned the word 'baphomet', which was a french corruption of the name 'Mohammed' (the prophet of the people who the templars fought against), and that 'baphomet' was falsely portrayed as a demon by the people who accused the templars.
It is not known to what extent accusations of groups worshiping Satan in the time of the witch trials identified people who did consider themselves Satanists, rather than being the result of religious superstition or mass hysteria, or charges made against individuals suffering from mental illness. Confessions are unreliable, particularly as they were usually obtained under torture.[9] However, scholar Jeffrey Burton Russell, Professor Emeritus of the University of California at Santa Barbara, has made extensive arguments in his book Witchcraft in the Middle Ages[10] that not all witch trial records can be dismissed and that there is in fact evidence linking witchcraft to gnostic heresies. Russell comes to this conclusion after having studied the source documents themselves. Individuals involved in the Affair of the Poisons were accused of Satanism and witchcraft.



 Eliphas Levi's Baphomet, adopted symbol of some Left-Hand Path systems, including theistic Satanism.
Historically, Satanist was a pejorative term for those with opinions that differed from predominant religious or moral beliefs.[11] Paul Tuitean believes the idea of acts of “reverse Christianity” was created by the Inquisition,[12] but George Battaille believes that inversions of Christian rituals such as the Mass may have existed prior to the descriptions of them which were obtained through the witchcraft trials.[13]



 The full sigil of Lucifer, as it originally appeared in the Grimorium Verum
In the 18th century various kinds of popular “Satanic” literature began to be produced in France, including some well-known grimoires with instructions for making a pact with the Devil. Most notable are the Grimorium Verum and The Grand Grimoire. The Marquis de Sade describes defiling crucifixes and other holy objects, and in his novel Justine he gives a fictional account of the Black Mass,[14] although Ronald Hayman has said Sade's need for blasphemy was an emotional reaction and rebellion from which Sade moved on, seeking to develop a more reasoned atheistic philosophy.[15] In the 19th century, Eliphas Levi published his French books of the occult, and in 1855 produced his well-known drawing of the Baphomet which continues to be used by some Satanists today (for example the sigil of Baphomet). Finally, in 1891, Joris-Karl Huysmans published his Satanic novel, Là-bas, which included a detailed description of a Black Mass which he may have known first-hand was being performed in Paris at the time,[16] or the account may have been based on the masses carried out by Étienne Guibourg, rather than by Huysmans attending himself.[17] Quotations from Huysmans' Black Mass are also used in some Satanic rituals to this day since it is one of the few sources that purports to describe the words used in a Black Mass. The type of Satanism described in Là-Bas suggests that prayers are said to the Devil, hosts are stolen from the Catholic Church, and sexual acts are combined with Roman Catholic altar objects and rituals, to produce a variety of Satanism which exalts the Devil and degrades the God of Christianity by inverting Roman Catholic rites. George Bataille claims that Huysman's description of the Black Mass is “indisputably authentic”.[13] Not all theistic Satanists today routinely perform the Black Mass, possibly because the mass is not a part of modern evangelical Christianity in Protestant countries[18] and so not such an unintentional influence on Satanist practices in those countries.
Michael Aquino published a rare 1970 text of a Church of Satan black mass, the Missa Solemnis, in his book The Church of Satan,[19] and Anton LaVey included a different Church of Satan black mass, the Messe Noire, in his 1972 book The Satanic Rituals. LaVey's books on Satanism, which began in the 1960s, were for a long time the few available which advertised themselves as being Satanic, although others detailed the history of witchcraft and Satanism, such as The Black Arts by Richard Cavendish published in 1967 and the classic French work Satanism and Witchcraft, by Jules Michelet. Anton LaVey specifically denounced “devil worshippers” and the idea of praying to Satan.
Satanism and crime[edit]
The Satanic ritual abuse moral panic of the 1980s and 1990s was centered on fears or beliefs about traditional Satanism sacrificing children and committing crimes as part of rituals involving devil worship.[20] Allegations included the existence of large networks of organized Satanists involved in illegal activities such as murder, child pornography and prostitution; iconic cases such as the McMartin preschool trial were launched after children were repeatedly and coercively interrogated by social workers, resulting in false allegation of child sexual abuse. No evidence was ever found to support any of the allegations of Satanism or ritual abuse, but the panic resulted in numerous wrongful prosecutions.
John Allee, founder of the First Church of Satan,[21] equates some of the "violent fringe" of Satanism as "Devil worshipers" and "reverse Christians". He believes they possibly suffer from a form of psychosis.[22] Between 1992 and 1996, some participants in the Norwegian black metal scene, notable for criticizing the Church of Satan as being too "humane",[23] committed over fifty arsons of Christian churches in and around Oslo as a retaliatory action against Christianity in Norway.[24]
Some studies of crimes have also looked at the theological perspective of those who commit religious or ritualised crime.[25] Criminals who explain their crimes by claiming to be Satanists have been said by sociologists to be "pseudo-Satanists",[26] and attempts to link Satanism to crime have been seen by theistic Satanists as scaremongering.[27] In the 1980s and the 1990s there were multiple allegations of sexual abuse of children or non-consenting adults in the context of Satanic rituals in what has come to be known as The Satanic Panic. In the United States, the Kern County child abuse cases, McMartin preschool trial and the West Memphis 3 cases were widely reported. One case took place in Jordan, Minnesota, in which children made allegations of manufacturing child pornography, ritualistic animal sacrifice, coprophagia, urophagia and infanticide, at which point the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was alerted. Twenty-four adults were arrested and charged with acts of sexual abuse, child pornography and other crimes claimed to be related to Satanic ritual abuse; three went to trial, two were acquitted and one convicted. Supreme Court Justice Scalia noted in a discussion of the case that "[t]here is no doubt that some sexual abuse took place in Jordan; but there is no reason to believe it was as widespread as charged", and cited the repeated, coercive techniques used by the investigators as damaging to the investigation.
Values in theistic Satanism[edit]
Seeking knowledge is seen by some theistic Satanists as being important to Satan, due to Satan being equated with the serpent in Genesis, which encouraged mankind to partake of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.[28] Some perceive Satan as Eliphas Levi's conception of Baphomet- a hermaphroditic bestower of knowledge (gnosis). Satanic groups, such as Luciferians, also seek to gain greater gnosis;[3] these Satanists view Yahweh as the demiurge and Satan as the transcendent being beyond.[3]
Self-development is important to theistic Satanists. This is due to the Satanists' idea of Satan, who is seen to encourage individuality and freedom of thought, and the quest to raise one's self up despite resistance, through means such as magic and initiative. They believe Satan wants a more equal relationship with his followers than the Abrahamic God does with his. From a theistic Satanist perspective, the Abrahamic religions (chiefly Christianity) do not define “good” or “evil” in terms of benefit or harm to humanity, but rather on the submission to or rebellion against God.[29] Some Satanists seek to remove any means by which they are controlled or repressed by others and forced to follow the herd, and reject non-governmental authoritarianism.[30]
As Satan in the Old Testament tests people, theistic Satanists may believe that Satan sends them tests in life in order to develop them as individuals. They value taking responsibility for oneself. Despite the emphasis on self-development, some theistic Satanists believe that there is a will of Satan for the world and for their own lives. They may promise to help bring about the will of Satan,[31] and seek to gain insight about it through prayer, study, or magic. In the Bible, a being called 'the prince of this world' is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 4:4, which Christians typically equate with Satan.[32] Some Satanists therefore think that Satan can help them meet their worldly needs and desires if they pray or work magic. They would also have to do what they could in everyday life to achieve their goals, however.
Theistic Satanists may try not to project an image that reflects negatively on their religion as a whole and reinforces stereotypes, such as promoting Nazism (found in a few groups), abuse, or crime.[30] However, some groups, such as the Order of Nine Angles, criticise the emphasis on promoting a good image for Satanism; the ONA described LaVeyan Satanism as “weak, deluded and American form of ‘sham-Satanic groups, the poseurs’”,[33] and ONA member Stephen Brown claimed that “the Temple of Set seems intent only on creating a ‘good public impression’, with promoting an ‘image’”.[34] The order emphasises that its way “is and is meant to be dangerous”[35] and “[g]enuine Satanists are dangerous people to know; associating with them is a risk”.[36] In particular, there is argument over animal sacrifice, with most groups seeing it as both unnecessary and putting Satanism in a bad light, and distancing themselves from the few groups that practice it.[37] Similarly, the Misanthropic Luciferian Order has criticized both the Church of Satan and the Temple of Set as “trying to make Setianism and the ruler of darkness, Set, into something accepted and harmless, this way attempting to become a ‘big’ religion, accepted and acknowledged by the rest of the Judaeo-Christian society”.[3] The order rejects Christianity, Judaism, and Islam as “the opposite of everything that strengthens the spirit and is only good for killing what little that is beautiful, noble and honourable in this filthy world”.[3]
Diversity of beliefs within theistic Satanism[edit]
The internet has increased awareness of different beliefs among Satanists, and led to more diverse groups. But Satanism has always been a pluralistic and decentralised religion.[38] Scholars outside Satanism have sought to study it by categorizing forms of it according to whether they are theistic or atheistic[39] and referred to the worship of the Devil as traditional Satanism or theistic Satanism.[1] It is generally a prerequisite to being considered a theistic Satanist that the Satanist accept a theological and metaphysical canon involving one or more God(s) who are either Satan in the strictest, Abrahamic sense, or a concept of Satan that incorporates gods from other religions (usually pre-Christian), such as Ahriman. Some theistic Satanists believe in Satan as the All, a force filling the universe.[40] Many theistic Satanists believe their own individualized concept based on pieces of all these diverse conceptions of Satan, according to their inclination and spiritual guidance, rather than only believe in one suggested interpretation. Some may choose to live out the myths and stereotypes, but Christianity is not always the primary frame of reference for theistic Satanists.[41] Their religion may be based on dark pagan, left hand path and occult traditions. Theistic Satanists who base their faith on Christian ideas about Satan may be referred to as “Reverse Christians” by other Satanists, often in a pejorative fashion.[42] However, those labeled by some as “reverse Christians” may see their concept of Satan as undiluted or sanitized. They worship a stricter interpretation of Satan: that of the Satan featured in the Christian Bible.[43] This is not, however, shared by a majority of theistic Satanists. Wiccans may consider most Satanism to be reverse Christianity,[44] and the head of the atheistic Church of Satan, Peter H. Gilmore, considers “devil worship” to be a Christian heresy, that is, a divergent form of Christianity.[45] The diversity of individual beliefs within theistic Satanism, while being a cause for intense debates within the religion, is also often seen as a reflection of Satan, who encourages individualism.[46]
A notable group that outwardly considers themselves to be traditional Satanists is the Order of Nine Angles.[47] This group became controversial and was mentioned in the press and in books, because they promoted human sacrifice.[48] A group with very different ideology to the ONA is Satanic Reds, whose Satanism has a communist element.[49] However, they are not theistic Satanist in the manner of believing in Satan as a god with a personality, but believe in dark deism,[50] the belief that Satan is a presence in nature. The First Church of Satan believe the philosophy propounded by Anton LaVey himself was deism or panentheism but is propounded as atheism by the leaders of the Church of Satan in order to distance themselves from what they see as pseudo-Satanists.[51]
Another group is Joy of Satan, which was founded in 2002 by Andrea Maxine Dietrich of Tulsa, Oklahoma.[citation needed]
One other group is the Temple of the Black Light, formerly known as the Misanthropic Luciferian Order. The group espouses a philosophy known as “Chaosophy”. Chaosophy asserts that the world that we live in, and the universe that it lives in, all exists within the realm known as Cosmos. Cosmos is made of three spatial dimensions and one linear time dimension. Cosmos rarely ever changes and is a materialistic realm. Another realm that exists is known as Chaos. Chaos exists outside of the Cosmos and is made of infinite dimensions and unlike the Cosmos, it is always changing. Members of the TotBL believe that the realm of Chaos is ruled over by 11 dark gods, the highest of them being Satan, and all of said gods are considered manifestations of a higher being. This higher being is known as Azerate, the Dragon Mother, and is all of the 11 gods united as one. The TotBL believes that Azerate will resurrect one day and destroy the Cosmos and let Chaos consume everything. The group has been connected to the Swedish black/death metal band Dissection, particularly its front man Jon Nödtveidt.[3] Nödtveidt was introduced to the group “at an early stage”.[52] The lyrics on the band's third album, Reinkaos, are all about beliefs of the Temple of the Black Light.[53] Nödtveidt committed suicide in 2006.[54][55]



 Theistic Satanists may respectfully work with demons found in traditional grimoires.


 Lucifer (in the lower right) shown in a defiant pose.
Luciferian groups such as the Church of Lucifer and the Children of the Black Rose are particularly inspired by Lucifer (from the Latin for ‘bearer of light’), who they may or may not equate with Satan. While some theologians believe the son of the dawn, Lucifer and other names were actually used to refer to contemporary political figures, such as a Babylonian King, rather than a single spiritual entity[56][57][58] (although on the surface the Bible explicitly refers to the King of Tyrus), those that believe it refers to Satan infer that by implication it also applies to the fall of Satan.[59] The Church of the Black Goat believe Satan and Lucifer are the same being in his light and dark aspects. Some writers equate the veneration of Set by the Temple of Set to theistic Satanism;[1] however, the Temple of Set do not identify as theistic Satanists. They believe the Egyptian deity Set is the real Dark Lord behind the name Satan, of whom Satan is just a caricature. Their practices primarily center on self-development. Within the temple of Set, the Black Flame is the individual's god-like core which is a kindred spirit to Set, and they seek to develop. In theistic Satanism, the Black Flame is knowledge which was given to humanity by Satan, who is a being independent of the Satanist himself[60] and which he can dispense to the Satanist who seeks knowledge.[61]
The diversity of beliefs amongst Satanists, and the theistic nature of some Satanists, was seen in a survey in 1995. Some spoke of seeing Satan not as someone dangerous to those who seek or worship him, but as someone that could be approached as a friend. Some refer to him as Father, though some other theistic Satanists consider that to be confused or excessively subservient.[62] However, in the Bible Satan is called the father of his followers in John 8:44, and bad people are called "children of the devil" in 1 John 3:10. Satan is also portrayed as a father to his daughter, Sin, by Milton in Paradise Lost.
Many groups such as the 600 Club[38] are accepting of all types of Satanists, as are the Synagogue of Satan, which aims for the ultimate destruction of religions, paradoxically including itself, and encourages not self-indulgence, but self-expression balanced by social responsibility.[63][64][65]
Theistic Satanism often involves a religious commitment[according to whom?] rather than being simply an occult practice based on dabbling or transient enjoyment of the rituals and magic involved.[26][66] Practitioners may choose to perform a self-dedication rite, although there are arguments over whether it is best to do this at the beginning of their time as a theistic Satanist, or once they have been practicing for some time.[67]

See also[edit]
Abrahamic religions
Azazel
Demonology
Devil
Dualism
Folk religion
God as the Devil
Left-hand path and right-hand path
Luciferianism
Magic (paranormal)
Melek Taus
Misotheism
Moral panic
Palladists
Satanism
Witchcraft
References[edit]
1.^ Jump up to: a b c Partridge, Christopher Hugh (2004). The Re-enchantment of the West. p. 82. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
2.Jump up ^ Prayers to Satan
3.^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h "Interview_MLO". Angelfire.com. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
4.Jump up ^ The Origins of Satanism
5.Jump up ^ Joy of Satan 'About Satan' Page
6.Jump up ^ The Origins of Satan, Why Sumeria? at the Wayback Machine (archived April 24, 2012)
7.Jump up ^ Servants of Satan, page 2
8.Jump up ^ Servants of Satan, page 22
9.Jump up ^ Servants of Satan, page 12
10.Jump up ^ Witchcraft in the Middle Ages - Jeffrey Burton Russell - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
11.Jump up ^ Behrendt, Stephen C. (1983). The Moment of Explosion: Blake and the Illustration of Milton. U of Nebraska Press. p. 437. Retrieved 2008-06-06.
12.Jump up ^ Tuitean, Paul; Estelle Daniels (1998). Pocket Guide to Wicca. The Crossing Press. p. 22. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
13.^ Jump up to: a b Battaille, George (1986). Erotism: Death and Sensuality. Dalwood, Mary (trans.). City Lights. p. 126. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
14.Jump up ^ Sade, Donatien (2006). The Complete Marquis De Sade. translators: Paul J. Gillette, John S. Yankowski. Holloway House. pp. 157–158. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
15.Jump up ^ Hayman, Ronald (2003). Marquis de Sade: The Genius of Passion. Tauris Parke. pp. 30–31. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
16.Jump up ^ Huysmans, Joris-Karl (1972). La Bas. Keene Wallace (trans.). Courier Dover. back cover. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
17.Jump up ^ Laver, James (1954). The First Decadent: Being the Strange Life of J.K. Huysmans. Faber and Faber. p. 121.
18.Jump up ^ Christiano, Kevin; William H. Swatos; Peter Kivisto (2001). Sociology of Religion: Contemporary Developments. Rowman Altamira. p. 319. Retrieved 2008-06-07.
19.Jump up ^ Aquino, Michael (2002). The Church of Satan., Appendix 7.
20.Jump up ^ Frankfurter, D (2006). Evil Incarnate: Rumors of Demonic Conspiracy and Ritual Abuse in History. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-11350-5.
21.Jump up ^ Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, by the Gale Group, Inc.
22.Jump up ^ Is Devil Worship A Symptom of Psychosis?
23.Jump up ^ [Moynihan, Michael and Soderlind, Didrik, Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground (2003), p. 220]
24.Jump up ^ [Lords of Chaos, p. 89]
25.Jump up ^ Yonke, David (2006). Sin, Shame, and Secrets: The Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest. p. 150. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
26.^ Jump up to: a b Gallagher, Eugene V. (2004). The New Religious Movements Experience in America. p. 190. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
27.Jump up ^ Dawn Perlmutter and her Institute for the Research of Organized and Ritual Violence
28.Jump up ^ Partridge, Christopher Hugh (2004). The Re-enchantment of the West. p. 228. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
29.Jump up ^ Elliot Rose on "Evil"
30.^ Jump up to: a b Lewis, James R.; Jesper Aagaard Petersen (2004). Controversial New Religions. Oxford University Press. pp. 446–447. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
31.Jump up ^ Mickaharic, Draja (1995). Practice of Magic: An Introductory Guide to the Art. Weiser. p. 62. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
32.Jump up ^ Ladd, George Eldon (1993). A Theology of the New Testament. p. 333. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
33.Jump up ^ Commentary on Dreamers of the Dark.
34.Jump up ^ Stephen Brown: The Satanic Letters of Stephen Brown: St. Brown to Dr. Aquino (online version).
35.Jump up ^ The True Way of the ONA.
36.Jump up ^ Satanism: The Epitome of Evil.
37.Jump up ^ Animal Sacrifice and the Law
38.^ Jump up to: a b Lewis, James R.; Jesper Aagaard Petersen (2004). Controversial New Religions. Oxford University Press. p. 429. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
39.Jump up ^ Gallagher, Eugene V. (2004). The New Religious Movements Experience in America. Greenwood Publishing. p. 190. ISBN 0-313-32807-2.
40.Jump up ^ Lewis, James R.; Jesper Aagaard Petersen (2004). Controversial New Religions. Oxford University Press. p. 438. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
41.Jump up ^ Lewis, James R.; Jesper Aagaard Petersen (2004). Controversial New Religions. Oxford University Press. p. 442. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
42.Jump up ^ Marburg Journal of Religion (June 2001) Lewis, James R
43.Jump up ^ Archived Cathedral of the Black Goat 'Views' Page
44.Jump up ^ Metzger, Richard; Grant Morrisson (2003). Book of Lies: The Disinformation Guide to Magick and the Occult. The Disinformation Company. p. 266. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
45.Jump up ^ Satanism: The Feared Religion
46.Jump up ^ Susej, Tsirk (2007). The Demonic Bible. p. 11. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
47.Jump up ^ Satanism: An Introduction, II. Modern Satanism, hosted on the The Religious Movements Homepage Project
48.Jump up ^ Lewis, James R. (2001). Satanism Today: An Encyclopedia of Religion. ABC-CLIO. p. 234. ISBN 1-57607-759-4.
49.Jump up ^ Lewis, James R. (2001). Satanism Today: An Encyclopedia of Religion. ABC-CLIO. p. 240. ISBN 1-57607-759-4.
50.Jump up ^ Devil Worship
51.Jump up ^ Church of Satan Rap Sheet: The Official Site
52.Jump up ^ "Dissection. Interview with Jon Nödtveidt. June 2003". Metal Centre. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
53.Jump up ^ "Official Dissection Website :: Reinkaos". Dissection.nu. Archived from the original on 2011-11-30.
54.Jump up ^ "Dissection Frontman Jon Nödtveidt Commits Suicide". Metal Storm. 2006-08-18. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
55.Jump up ^ "Dissection Guitarist: Jon Nödtveidt Didn't Have Copy of 'The Satanic Bible' at Suicide Scene". Blabbermouth. 2006-08-23. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
56.Jump up ^ Lucifer King Of Babylon
57.Jump up ^ Satan, Devil and Demons - Isaiah 14:12-14
58.Jump up ^ Apologetics Press - Is Satan “Lucifer"?
59.Jump up ^ Catholic Encyclopedia: Devil
60.Jump up ^ Ford, Michael (2005). Luciferian Witchcraft. p. 373. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
61.Jump up ^ Partridge, Christopher Hugh (2004). The Re-enchantment of the West. p. 82. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
62.Jump up ^ Pike, Randall (2007). The Man with Confused Eyes. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
63.Jump up ^ Brown, Seth (2004). Think You're the Only One? Oddball Groups Where Outsiders Fit In. Barnes and Noble. pp. 99–100. ISBN 0-7607-5708-9.
64.Jump up ^ John, Mitchell (2009). "Local writer compiles directory of unusual organizations". http://www.lastvisibledog.org/berkshirearts/Seth_Brown.html.
65.Jump up ^ Mathews, Chris (2009). Modern Satanism: anatomy of a radical subculture. Praeger Publishers. p. 92. ISBN 978-0-313-36639-0.
66.Jump up ^ Partridge, Christopher Hugh (2004). The Re-enchantment of the West. p. 83. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
67.Jump up ^ Pacts and self-initiation
Further reading[edit]
Ellis, Bill, Raising the Devil: Satanism, New Religions and the Media (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2000).
Hertenstein, Mike; Jon Trott, Selling Satan: The Evangelical Media and the Mike Warnke Scandal (Chicago: Cornerstone, 1993).
Brown, Seth; Think you're the only one? (Barnes & Noble Books 2004)
Medway, Gareth J.; The Lure of the Sinister: The Unnatural History of Satanism (New York and London: New York University Press, 2001).
Michelet, Jules, Satanism and Witchcraft: A Study in Medieval Superstition (English translation of 1862 French work).
Palermo, George B.; Michele C. Del Re: Satanism: Psychiatric and Legal Views (American Series in Behavioral Science and Law) . Charles C Thomas Pub Ltd (November 1999)
Pike, Albert, Morals and Dogma (1871)
Richardson, James T.; Joel Best; David G. Bromley, The Satanism Scare (New York: Aldine de Gruyter, 1991).
Vera, Diane, Theistic Satanism: The new Satanisms of the era of the Internet
Karlsson, Thomas (February 2008). Qabalah, Qliphoth and Goetic Magic. ISBN 0-9721820-1-2.
Ford, Michael (March 2005). Luciferian Witchcraft. ISBN 1-4116-2638-9.
Baddeley, Gavin; Lucifer Rising, A Book of Sin, Devil Worship and Rock 'n' Roll (Plexus Publishing, November 1999)
Webb, Don (March 1999). Uncle Setnakt's Essential Guide to the Left Hand Path. ISBN 1-885972-10-5.
Zacharias, Gerhard (1980). The Satanic Cult. ISBN 0-04-133008-0. Translated from the German Satanskult und Schwarze Messe by Christine Trollope.
External links[edit]
Articles and essays about theistic Satanism from about.com
Theistic Satanism and Left Hand Path oriented links
Satanism Organizations at DMOZ
  


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Left-Hand Path
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Satanism

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For other uses, see Satanism (disambiguation).



 The downward-pointing pentacle is often used to represent Satanism.
Satanism is a broad term referring to a group of social movements with diverse ideological and philosophical beliefs. Satanism includes symbolic association with, or admiration for, Satan, whom Satanists see as an inspiring and liberating figure. It was estimated that there were 50,000 Satanists in 1990. There may now be as many as one hundred thousand Satanists in the world.[1]



Eliphas Lévi's Sabbatic Goat (known as The Goat of Mendes or Baphomet) has become one of the most common symbols of Satanism.
Although the public practice of Satanism began with the founding of The Church of Satan in 1966, historical precedents exist: a group called the Ophite Cultus Satanas was founded in Ohio by Herbert Arthur Sloane in 1948.[2]
Satanist groups that appeared after the 1960s are widely diverse, but two major trends are theistic Satanism and atheistic Satanism. Theistic Satanists venerate Satan as a supernatural deity, viewing him not as omnipotent but rather as a patriarch. In contrast, atheistic Satanists regard Satan as merely a symbol of certain human traits.[3]
There are signs that Satanistic beliefs have become more socially tolerated. Satanism is now allowed in the Royal Navy of the British Armed Forces, despite opposition from Christians,[4][5][6] and in 2005, the Supreme Court of the United States debated over protecting the religious rights of prison inmates after a lawsuit challenging the issue was filed to them.[7][8]
Contemporary Satanism is mainly an American phenomenon, the ideas spreading with the effects of globalization and the Internet.[9] The Internet promotes awareness of other Satanists, and is also the main battleground for the definitions of Satanism today.[9] Satanism started to reach Eastern Europe in the 1990s, in time with the fall of the Soviet Union, and most noticeably in Poland and Lithuania, predominantly Roman Catholic countries.[10][11]


Contents  [hide]
1 Historical background
2 Theistic Satanism 2.1 Luciferianism
2.2 Palladists
2.3 Our Lady of Endor Coven
3 Atheistic Satanism
4 Accusations of Satanism 4.1 Christianity
4.2 Islam
5 Popular music
6 Organizations 6.1 The Church of Satan
6.2 First Satanic Church
6.3 Temple of Set
6.4 Order of Nine Angles
6.5 The Satanic Temple
7 See also
8 References
9 Further reading
10 External links

Historical background[edit]



 Satan in Paradise Lost, as illustrated by Gustave Doré
Particularly after the European Enlightenment, some works, such as Paradise Lost, were taken up by Romantics like Byron and described as presenting the biblical Satan as an allegory representing a crisis of faith, individualism, free will, wisdom and enlightenment.[citation needed] Those works actually featuring Satan as a heroic character are fewer in number but do exist. George Bernard Shaw and Mark Twain (cf. Letters from the Earth) included such characterizations in their works long before religious Satanists took up the pen. From then on, Satan and Satanism started to gain a new meaning outside of Christianity.[9]
Theistic Satanism[edit]



 The full sigil of Lucifer, as it originally appeared in the Grimorium Verum


 A more symmetrical version of the symbol to the left, used by some modern Satanists
Main article: Theistic Satanism
Theistic Satanism (also known as traditional Satanism, Spiritual Satanism or Devil worship) is a form of Satanism with the primary belief that Satan is an actual deity or force to revere or worship.[12][13] Other characteristics of theistic Satanism may include a belief in magic, which is manipulated through ritual, although that is not a defining criterion, and theistic Satanists may focus solely on devotion. Unlike LaVeyan Satanism, theistic Satanism believes that Satan is a real being rather than a symbol of individualism.
Luciferianism[edit]
Main article: Luciferianism
Luciferianism can be understood best as a belief system or intellectual creed that venerates the essential and inherent characteristics that are affixed and commonly given to Lucifer. Luciferianism is often identified as an auxiliary creed or movement of Satanism, due to the common identification of Lucifer with Satan. Some Luciferians accept this identification and/or consider Lucifer as the "light bearer" and illuminated aspect of Satan, giving them the name of Satanists and the right to bear the title. Others reject it, giving the argument that Lucifer is a more positive and easy-going ideal than Satan. They are inspired by the ancient myths of Egypt, Rome and Greece, Gnosticism and traditional Western occultism.
Palladists[edit]
Main article: Palladists
Palladists are an alleged theistic Satanist society or member of that society. The name Palladian comes from Pallas and refers to the Greco-Roman goddess of wisdom and learning.
Our Lady of Endor Coven[edit]
Main article: Our Lady of Endor Coven
Our Lady of Endor Coven, also known as Ophite Cultus Satanas (originally spelled "Sathanas"), was a satanic cult founded in 1948 by Herbert Arthur Sloane in Toledo, Ohio. The group was heavily influenced by gnosticism (especially that found in the contemporary book by Hans Jonas, The Gnostic Religion), and worshiped Satanas, their name for Satan (Cultus Satanas is a Latin version of Cult of Satan). Satanas (or Satan) was defined in gnostic terms as the Serpent in the Garden of Eden who revealed the knowledge of the true God to Eve. That it called itself "Ophite" is a reference to the ancient gnostic sect of the Ophites, who were said to worship the serpent.
Atheistic Satanism[edit]



 The Sigil of Baphomet, the official insignia of the Church of Satan and LaVeyan Satanism.
Main article: LaVeyan Satanism
LaVeyan Satanism, as codified in The Satanic Bible and overseen by the Church of Satan, was founded in 1966 by Anton Szandor LaVey. It is an atheistic and materialistic religion that champions individualism, epicureanism, secularism, and egoism, and propagates a worldview of naturalism, Social Darwinism, and Lex Talionis.[14][15][16][17][18] Adherents describe it as a non-spiritual religion of the flesh, or "...the world's first carnal religion".[19][20]
Contrary to popular belief, it does not involve "devil worship" or worship of any deities. The Church of Satan asserts that "In Satanism each individual is his or her own god—there is no room for any other god and that includes Satan, Lucifer, Cthulhu or whatever other name one might select or take from history or fiction.".[21] Adherents instead see the character of Satan as a symbol of pride, carnality, liberty, enlightenment, and undefiled wisdom, and serves as a conceptual framework and an external metaphorical projection of the Satanist's highest personal potential. Satan (Hebrew: שָּׂטָן satan, meaning "adversary") is seen as a symbol of defiance to the conservatism of mainstream philosophical and religious currents, mainly the Abrahamic religions, that see this character as their antithesis.[22][23][24][25][26]
The prefix "LaVeyan" was never used by Anton LaVey or by the Church of Satan, nor does the term appear in any of its literature.[27] The church has stated its contention that they are the first formally organized religion to adopt the term "Satanism" and asserts that Satanism and the 'worship of Satan' are not congruent.[28] The term "Theistic Satanism" has been described as "oxymoronic" by the church and its High Priest.[21] The Church of Satan rejects the legitimacy of any other organizations who claim to be Satanists, dubbing them reverse-Christians, pseudo-Satanists or Devil worshipers.[29][30] Today, the Church of Satan promotes itself as the only authentic representation of Satanism, and it routinely publishes materials underscoring this contention.[31][32]
The fundamentals of the religion's creed are synthesized in The Nine Satanic Statements,[33] The Nine Satanic Sins,[34] and The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth.[35]
Accusations of Satanism[edit]
Historically, some people or groups have been specifically described as worshiping Satan or the Devil, or of being devoted to the work of Satan. The widespread preponderance of these groups in European cultures is in part connected with the importance and meaning of Satan within Christianity.
Christianity[edit]



 Title illustration of Johannes Praetorius (writer) (de) Blocksbergs Verrichtung (1668) showing many traditional features of the medieval Witches' Sabbath
See also: European witchcraft, Maleficium (sorcery) and Witch-cult hypothesis
Pagans celebrating Pan, Odin, Perkūnas, or other pagan deities were often claimed by the Catholic Church to be worshiping the Devil and his crones and minions.[36]
Many gnostic groups have been regarded as Satanic, with its prominent details implying Lucifer, or the serpent, as being a true god or prophet that liberated Adam and Eve while the god of the Old Testament is regarded as a demiurge. Hegemonius accused Mani, founder of Manicheanism, of being Satanic when Mani said that Jehovah is "the devil god which created the world"[37] and that "he who spoke with Moses, the Jews, and the priests … is the [Prince] of Darkness, … not the god of truth."[38]
The witch trials in early modern Europe, in particular, the notion that witches congregated at a Witches' Sabbath in order to serve the Devil.[36]
Gilles de Rais (15th century, France) was a French nobleman who was tried and executed for the murders of hundreds of children in quasi-Satanic rituals.[36]
Johann Georg Faust. (16th century, Germany)[36] Many instructions, in German and in Latin, for making a pact with the Devil were attributed to him. These were collected and published in Germany in a few of the volumes of Das Kloster (1845–1849).
Urbain Grandier (17th century, France). Although set up by the Catholic Church, a very famous document, in Latin, of a pact with the Devil he allegedly wrote has been preserved.[36]
People involved in the Poison Affair, such as Catherine Deshayes and Étienne Guibourg (17th century, France). The documentation from their trial is the principal Early Modern source for information on the Black Mass.[39][40]
The Marquis de Sade (18th century, France), described by Iwan Bloch as being a fanatic Satanist.[41] His works graphically described blasphemy against the Catholic Church, such as an orgy resembling a Black Mass conducted by Pope Pius VI in the Vatican (in his novel Juliette).
In 1865, the anti-Vatican Italian poet Giosuè Carducci published his poem Inno a Satana ("Hymn to Satan"), praising Satan as the god of reason and expressing religious hatred towards Christianity.
Many adherents of the Decadent movement, such as the Polish author Stanisław Przybyszewski, the Belgian artist Félicien Rops, and the French poet Charles Baudelaire (who published Les Litanies de Satan in 1857) either called themselves Satanists, or created overtly Satanist artwork and literature.[42]
Some French movements widely described as being Satanist by French writers of the time (late 19th to early 20th centuries). The most well-known description available in English is the 1891 novel Là-bas by Joris-Karl Huysmans. However, there were numerous other well-known personalities in France that were related to the circles Huysmans describes, such as Joseph-Antoine Boullan, Stanislas de Guaita, Henri Antoine Jules-Bois, and Joséphin Péladan, who either wrote about Satanism in France, or were accused of being Satanists themselves.[43][44]
Freemasonry was described as being Satanist in the completely discredited Taxil hoax.[45]
At least two Satanic (or "Luciferian") sects existed in France in the 1930s. One was led by Maria de Naglowska, and had rituals dedicated to Satan and Lucifer.[46] Another, led by a former Catholic priest, celebrated an inversion of the Latin Mass (a "Luciferian Mass"), which included the phrase "In nomine Domini Dei nostri Satanae Luciferi Excelsi" (a phrase that re-appeared 30 years later in Anton LaVey's Satanic Bible).[47]
Islam[edit]
The Yazidis, a minority religion of the Middle East who worship Melek Taus, are often referred to as Satan worshippers by some Muslims.[48] Due to this, they have been targeted for conversion and extermination by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[49]
Popular music[edit]
Black metal has often been connected with Satanism, in part for the lyrical content of several bands and their frequent use of imagery often tied to left hand path beliefs (such as the inverted pentagram). More often than not musicians associating themselves with black metal say they do not believe in legitimate Satanic ideology and often profess to being atheists, agnostics, or religious skeptics. In some instances, followers of right hand path religions use Satanic references for entertainment purposes and shock value.[50] Most of black metal's "first wave" bands only used Satanism for shock value; one of the few exceptions is Mercyful Fate singer King Diamond, who follows LaVeyan Satanism[51] and whom Michael Moynihan calls "one of the only performers of the '80s Satanic Metal who was more than just a poseur using a devilish image for shock value".[52] One early precursor to Satanic metal was the 1969 rock album Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls, which contained numerous references to Satanism that reappeared in later Satanic rock music.
Glen Benton, vocalist and bassist of the band Deicide, once openly claimed to be a practitioner of theistic Satanism, and has spoken publicly to profess staunch anti-Christian sentiment. The controversial Dissection frontman Jon Nödtveidt openly spoke about his "chaos-gnostic" satanic beliefs, being a member of the Misanthropic Luciferian Order, and called his band "the sonic propaganda unit of the MLO".[53] Norwegian black metal artists such as Euronymous from Mayhem and Infernus from Gorgoroth have also identified themselves as Satanists and actively promoted their beliefs.[54] Numerous church burnings that covered parts of Norway in the early 1990s were also attributed to youths involved in the black metal movement, which included people promoting theistic Satanic beliefs and strong anti-LaVeyan attitudes.[55] 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 some of those who contribute to the genre.[56]
Organizations[edit]
The Church of Satan[edit]
Main article: Church of Satan
On Walpurgisnacht, April 30, 1966, Anton LaVey founded the "The Satanic Church" (which he would later rename the "Church of Satan"). The Church of Satan is an organization dedicated to the acceptance of the carnal self, as articulated in The Satanic Bible, written in 1969 by Anton Szandor LaVey.
First Satanic Church[edit]
Main article: First Satanic Church
After LaVey's death in 1997 the Church of Satan was taken over by a new administration and its headquarters was moved to New York. LaVey's daughter, the High Priestess Karla LaVey, felt this to be a disservice to her father's legacy. The First Satanic Church was re-founded on October 31, 1999 by Karla LaVey to carry on the legacy of her father. She continues to run it out of San Francisco, California.
Temple of Set[edit]
Main article: Temple of Set
The Temple of Set is an initiatory occult society claiming to be the world's leading left-hand path religious organization. It was established in 1975 by Michael A. Aquino and certain members of the priesthood of the Church of Satan,[57] who left because of administrative and philosophical disagreements. ToS deliberately self-differentiates from CoS in several ways, most significantly in theology and sociology.[58] The philosophy of the Temple of Set may be summed up as "enlightened individualism" — enhancement and improvement of oneself by personal education, experiment and initiation. This process is necessarily different and distinctive for each individual. The members do not agree on whether Set is "real" or not, and they're not expected to.[58]
Setianism, in theory, is similar to theistic Satanism. The principle deity of Setianism is the ancient Egyptian god Set, or Seth, the god of adversary. Set supposedly is the Dark Lord behind the Hebrew entity Satan. Set, as the first principle of consciousness, is emulated by Setians, who symbolize the concept of individual, subjective intelligence distinct from the natural order as the "Black Flame". (Some people who are not members of the Temple of Set find spiritual inspiration in the Egyptian god Set, and may share some beliefs with the organization. The belief system in general is referred to as Setianism.)
Members of the Temple of Set are mostly male, between the ages of twenty and fifty.[58]
Order of Nine Angles[edit]
Main article: Order of Nine Angles
The authors Per Faxneld and Jesper Petersen write that the Order of Nine Angles (ONA, O9A) "represent a dangerous and extreme form of Satanism".[59] The ONA first attracted public attention during the 1980s and 1990s after being mentioned in books detailing fascist Satanism. They were initially formed in the United Kingdom and are presently organized around clandestine cells (which it calls traditional nexions)[60][61] and around what it calls sinister tribes.[62][63]
The Satanic Temple[edit]
The Satanic Temple uses the literary Satan as a mythological foundation for a non-supernatural religion,[64] in order to construct a cultural narrative that can usefully contextualize life experiences and promote pragmatic skepticism, rational reciprocity, personal autonomy, and curiosity.
As it lacks the creed of elitism and Social Darwinism that define the Church of Satan[65] in favor of other characteristics of the literary Satan, it contrasts[66] itself by actively participating in public affairs and providing outreach to the wider public. This has manifested in several public political actions[67][68] and efforts at lobbying,[69] with a focus on the separation of church and state and using satire against religious organizations that it believes interfere with freedom and the pursuit of happiness.[70]
The only requirements to be a member are to support the tenets and beliefs of the organization, and to name yourself a member.[71]
The group has held "worship" services that include dance music, porn rooms, phallic imagery, S&M behaviors and nudity. [72] It also considers gay marriage a religious sacrament, and therefore argues that bans on the practice violate Satanists' freedom of religion. [73] Because the group regards "inviolability of the body" as a key doctrine, it also views all restrictions on abortion, including mandatory waiting periods, as an infringement on the rights of Satanists to practice their religion. [74]
See also[edit]

Portal icon Occult portal
Portal icon Spirituality portal
Portal icon Philosophy portal
Satan in literature
Satanic ritual abuse
Shaitan
Prometheus
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^ B.A. Robinson (March 2006). "Religious Satanism, 16th century Satanism, Satanic Dabbling, etc". Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
2.Jump up ^ Lewis, James R. (2002). The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions. Prometheus Books. p. 553. ISBN 1573922226.
3.Jump up ^ Gilmore, Peter. "Science and Satanism". Point of Inquiry Interview. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
4.Jump up ^ Royal Navy to allow devil worship CNN
5.Jump up ^ Carter, Helen. The devil and the deep blue sea: Navy gives blessing to sailor Satanist. The Guardian
6.Jump up ^ Navy approves first ever Satanist BBC News
7.Jump up ^ Linda Greenhouse (March 22, 2005). "Inmates Who Follow Satanism and Wicca Find Unlikely Ally". New York Times.
8.Jump up ^ "Before high court: law that allows for religious rights". Christian Science Monitor.
9.^ Jump up to: a b c Jesper Aagaard Petersen (2009). "Introduction: Embracing Satan". Contemporary Religious Satanism: A Critical Anthology. Ashgate Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7546-5286-1.
10.Jump up ^ Alisauskiene, Milda (2009). "The Peculiarities of Lithuanian Satanism". In Jesper Aagaard Petersen. Contemporary Religious Satanism: A Critical Anthology. Ashgate Publishing. ISBN 0-7546-5286-6.
11.Jump up ^ "Satanism stalks Poland". BBC News. 2000-06-05.
12.Jump up ^ Partridge, Christopher Hugh (2004). The Re-enchantment of the West. p. 82. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
13.Jump up ^ Prayers to Satan
14.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/Pages/Enema.html
15.Jump up ^ "Church of Satan FAQ 18. DRUG ABUSE". Churchofsatan.com. Retrieved 2013-09-09.
16.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/Pages/CShistory7LR.html
17.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/satanism-the-feared-religion.php
18.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/walpurgisnacht-xxxvii.php
19.Jump up ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEnxnINMkPE&list=UUTTM5rdQA-E78nSkOnUluug
20.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/support-the-organization.php
21.^ Jump up to: a b http://www.churchofsatan.com/faq-fundamental-beliefs.php
22.Jump up ^ http://altreligion.about.com/od/alternativereligionsaz/a/satanism.htm
23.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/Pages/WhatTheDevil.html
24.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/Pages/_FAQ03.html
25.Jump up ^ [1][dead link]
26.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/Pages/ChaplainsHandbook.html
27.Jump up ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkmuV5R_O6g
28.Jump up ^ http://news.churchofsatan.com/post/101945623742/why-satanism-must-not-be-confused-with-devil
29.Jump up ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/national/wp/2014/11/07/the-church-of-satan-wants-you-to-stop-calling-these-devil-worshipping-alleged-murderers-satanists/
30.Jump up ^ "Satanism: An interview with Church of Satan High Priest Peter Gilmore". Wikinews. Retrieved 2013-09-09.
31.Jump up ^ Gilmore, Peter H. (2007). The Satanic Scriptures. Scapegoat Publishing.
32.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/rebels-without-cause.php
33.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/nine-satanic-statements.php
34.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/nine-satanic-sins.php
35.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/eleven-rules-of-earth.php
36.^ Jump up to: a b c d e Robbins, Rossell Hope, The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Demonology, 1959.
37.Jump up ^ Manichaeism by Alan G. Hefner in The Mystica, undated
38.Jump up ^ Acta Archelai of Hegemonius, Chapter XII, c. AD 350, quoted in Translated Texts of Manicheism, compiled by Prods Oktor Skjærvø, page 68. History of the Acta Archelai explained in the Introduction, page 11
39.Jump up ^ Extensively described in: Zacharias, Gerhard, Der dunkle Gott: Satanskult und Schwarze Messe, München (1964).
40.Jump up ^ Original sources: Ravaisson, François Archives de la Bastille (Paris, 1866-1884, volumes IV, V, VI, VII)
41.Jump up ^ Dr. Iwan Bloch, Marquis de Sade: His Life and Work, 1899: "The Marquis de Sade gave evidence in his novels of being a fanatic Satanist."
42.Jump up ^ Jullian, Philippe, Esthétes et Magiciens, 1969; Dreamers of Decadence, 1971.
43.Jump up ^ Bois, Jules, Le Satanisme et la Magie - avec une étude de J.-K. Huysmans, Paris, 1895.
44.Jump up ^ Huysmans, J.-K., Là-Bas, 1891
45.Jump up ^ Waite, A.E., Devil Worship in France, London: George Redway 1896.
46.Jump up ^ Medway, Gareth (2001). Lure of the Sinister: The Unnatural History of Satanism. p. 18.
47.Jump up ^ Messe Luciférienne, in Pierre Geyraud, Les Petites Églises de Paris, 1937 (Source here: Messe Luciférienne).
48.Jump up ^ “The Devil Worshipers of the Middle East : Their Beliefs & Sacred Books” Holmes Pub Group LLC (December 1993) ISBN 1-55818-231-4 ISBN 978-1-55818-231-8
49.Jump up ^ O'Loughlin, Ed (16 August 2014). "Devil in the detail as Yazidis look to Kurds in withstanding Islamic radicals’ advance". Irish Times. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
50.Jump up ^ Baddeley, Gavin (1993). Raising Hell!: The Book of Satan and Rock 'n' Roll.
51.Jump up ^ Götz Kühnemund: A History of Horror. In: Rock Hard, no. 282, November 2010, pp. 20-27.
52.Jump up ^ Michael Moynihan, Didrik Søderlind: Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground, Feral House 1998, pp. 15f.
53.Jump up ^ INTERVIEW FOR THE FANS BY THE FANS. - Final Interview with Jon Nödtveidt -.
54.Jump up ^ Garry Sharpe-Young (2007). Metal: The Definitive Guide.
55.Jump up ^ Grude, Torstein (Director) (January 1, 1998). Satan rir media (motion picture). Norway: Grude, Torstein.
56.Jump up ^ Ihsahn Interview
57.Jump up ^ Aquino, Michael (2002). Church of Satan (PDF). San Francisco: Temple of Set.
58.^ Jump up to: a b c Harvey, Graham (2009). "Satanism: Performing Alterity and Othering". In Jesper Aagaard Petersen. Contemporary Religious Satanism: A Critical Anthology. Ashgate Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7546-5286-1.
59.Jump up ^ Per Faxneld: Post-Satanism, Left Hand Paths, and Beyond in Per Faxneld & Jesper Petersen (eds) The Devil's Party: Satanism in Modernity, Oxford University Press (2012), p.207. ISBN 9780199779246
60.Jump up ^ Senholt, Jacob. Secret Identities in The Sinister Tradition: Political Esotericism and the Convergence of Radical Islam, Satanism and National Socialism in the Order of Nine Angles, in Per Faxneld & Jesper Petersen (eds), The Devil's Party: Satanism in Modernity. Oxford University Press, 2012. ISBN 9780199779246
61.Jump up ^ FAQ About ONA
62.Jump up ^ Angular Momentum: from Traditional to Progressive Satanism in the Order of Nine Angles
63.Jump up ^ Sinister Tribes Of The ONA
64.Jump up ^ The Satanic Temple
65.Jump up ^ Peter, Magus (1966-04-30). "Satanism: The Feared Religion". churchofsatan.com. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
66.Jump up ^ "Church of Satan • Let’s You and Him Fight". News.churchofsatan.com. 2013-12-09. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
67.Jump up ^ Massoud Hayoun (2013-12-08). "Group aims to put 'Satanist' monument near Oklahoma capitol | Al Jazeera America". America.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
68.Jump up ^ "Satanists petition to build monument on Oklahoma state capitol grounds | Washington Times Communities". Communities.washingtontimes.com. 2013-12-09. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
69.Jump up ^ Bugbee, Shane (2013-07-30). "Unmasking Lucien Greaves, Leader of the Satanic Temple | VICE United States". Vice.com. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
70.Jump up ^ "The Satanic Temple Performs Ceremony at Westboro Baptist Church Family Gravesite". Thesatanictemple.com. 2013-07-17. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
71.Jump up ^ "Join". Thesatanictemple.com. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
72.Jump up ^ "Can the Satanic Temple Save America?".
73.Jump up ^ "THE SATANIC TEMPLE".
74.Jump up ^ "Satanist challenges Missouri’s 72-hour abortion wait: It’s “a burden on my sincerely held religious beliefs”".
Further reading[edit]
Michelet, Jules (1862). Satanism and Witchcraft: The Classic Study of Medieval Superstition. ISBN 978-0-8065-0059-1. 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 978-0-399-50035-0. Summary of the history of Witchcraft, Satanism, and Devil Worship in the last part of the book.
Passantino, Bob and Gretchen: Satanism: Grand Rapids: Zondervan: 1995.
Zacharias, Gerhard (1980). The Satanic Cult. ISBN 978-0-04-133008-3. Translated from the 1964 German edition by Christine Trollope.
Chornyisyn, Mykhailo (2009). Hail Satan. ISBN 978-0-557-06489-2.
Wlodek, Nikodem (2004). Satans Raw.
Medway, Gareth (2001). Lure of the Sinister: The Unnatural History of Satanism. ISBN 978-0-8147-5645-4.
Noctulius, Emperor (2007). The Path to Satan. ISBN 978-1-4348-2055-6.
Massimo Introvigne, I satanisti. Storia, riti e miti del satanismo, Sugarco, 2010
External links[edit]
 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Satanism.
 Wikinews has related news: Satanism: An interview with Church of Satan High Priest Peter Gilmore
Religious Tolerance page on Satanism
Satanism at DMOZ
The Satanic Temple (official national website)


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Satanism

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For other uses, see Satanism (disambiguation).



 The downward-pointing pentacle is often used to represent Satanism.
Satanism is a broad term referring to a group of social movements with diverse ideological and philosophical beliefs. Satanism includes symbolic association with, or admiration for, Satan, whom Satanists see as an inspiring and liberating figure. It was estimated that there were 50,000 Satanists in 1990. There may now be as many as one hundred thousand Satanists in the world.[1]



Eliphas Lévi's Sabbatic Goat (known as The Goat of Mendes or Baphomet) has become one of the most common symbols of Satanism.
Although the public practice of Satanism began with the founding of The Church of Satan in 1966, historical precedents exist: a group called the Ophite Cultus Satanas was founded in Ohio by Herbert Arthur Sloane in 1948.[2]
Satanist groups that appeared after the 1960s are widely diverse, but two major trends are theistic Satanism and atheistic Satanism. Theistic Satanists venerate Satan as a supernatural deity, viewing him not as omnipotent but rather as a patriarch. In contrast, atheistic Satanists regard Satan as merely a symbol of certain human traits.[3]
There are signs that Satanistic beliefs have become more socially tolerated. Satanism is now allowed in the Royal Navy of the British Armed Forces, despite opposition from Christians,[4][5][6] and in 2005, the Supreme Court of the United States debated over protecting the religious rights of prison inmates after a lawsuit challenging the issue was filed to them.[7][8]
Contemporary Satanism is mainly an American phenomenon, the ideas spreading with the effects of globalization and the Internet.[9] The Internet promotes awareness of other Satanists, and is also the main battleground for the definitions of Satanism today.[9] Satanism started to reach Eastern Europe in the 1990s, in time with the fall of the Soviet Union, and most noticeably in Poland and Lithuania, predominantly Roman Catholic countries.[10][11]


Contents  [hide]
1 Historical background
2 Theistic Satanism 2.1 Luciferianism
2.2 Palladists
2.3 Our Lady of Endor Coven
3 Atheistic Satanism
4 Accusations of Satanism 4.1 Christianity
4.2 Islam
5 Popular music
6 Organizations 6.1 The Church of Satan
6.2 First Satanic Church
6.3 Temple of Set
6.4 Order of Nine Angles
6.5 The Satanic Temple
7 See also
8 References
9 Further reading
10 External links

Historical background[edit]



 Satan in Paradise Lost, as illustrated by Gustave Doré
Particularly after the European Enlightenment, some works, such as Paradise Lost, were taken up by Romantics like Byron and described as presenting the biblical Satan as an allegory representing a crisis of faith, individualism, free will, wisdom and enlightenment.[citation needed] Those works actually featuring Satan as a heroic character are fewer in number but do exist. George Bernard Shaw and Mark Twain (cf. Letters from the Earth) included such characterizations in their works long before religious Satanists took up the pen. From then on, Satan and Satanism started to gain a new meaning outside of Christianity.[9]
Theistic Satanism[edit]



 The full sigil of Lucifer, as it originally appeared in the Grimorium Verum


 A more symmetrical version of the symbol to the left, used by some modern Satanists
Main article: Theistic Satanism
Theistic Satanism (also known as traditional Satanism, Spiritual Satanism or Devil worship) is a form of Satanism with the primary belief that Satan is an actual deity or force to revere or worship.[12][13] Other characteristics of theistic Satanism may include a belief in magic, which is manipulated through ritual, although that is not a defining criterion, and theistic Satanists may focus solely on devotion. Unlike LaVeyan Satanism, theistic Satanism believes that Satan is a real being rather than a symbol of individualism.
Luciferianism[edit]
Main article: Luciferianism
Luciferianism can be understood best as a belief system or intellectual creed that venerates the essential and inherent characteristics that are affixed and commonly given to Lucifer. Luciferianism is often identified as an auxiliary creed or movement of Satanism, due to the common identification of Lucifer with Satan. Some Luciferians accept this identification and/or consider Lucifer as the "light bearer" and illuminated aspect of Satan, giving them the name of Satanists and the right to bear the title. Others reject it, giving the argument that Lucifer is a more positive and easy-going ideal than Satan. They are inspired by the ancient myths of Egypt, Rome and Greece, Gnosticism and traditional Western occultism.
Palladists[edit]
Main article: Palladists
Palladists are an alleged theistic Satanist society or member of that society. The name Palladian comes from Pallas and refers to the Greco-Roman goddess of wisdom and learning.
Our Lady of Endor Coven[edit]
Main article: Our Lady of Endor Coven
Our Lady of Endor Coven, also known as Ophite Cultus Satanas (originally spelled "Sathanas"), was a satanic cult founded in 1948 by Herbert Arthur Sloane in Toledo, Ohio. The group was heavily influenced by gnosticism (especially that found in the contemporary book by Hans Jonas, The Gnostic Religion), and worshiped Satanas, their name for Satan (Cultus Satanas is a Latin version of Cult of Satan). Satanas (or Satan) was defined in gnostic terms as the Serpent in the Garden of Eden who revealed the knowledge of the true God to Eve. That it called itself "Ophite" is a reference to the ancient gnostic sect of the Ophites, who were said to worship the serpent.
Atheistic Satanism[edit]



 The Sigil of Baphomet, the official insignia of the Church of Satan and LaVeyan Satanism.
Main article: LaVeyan Satanism
LaVeyan Satanism, as codified in The Satanic Bible and overseen by the Church of Satan, was founded in 1966 by Anton Szandor LaVey. It is an atheistic and materialistic religion that champions individualism, epicureanism, secularism, and egoism, and propagates a worldview of naturalism, Social Darwinism, and Lex Talionis.[14][15][16][17][18] Adherents describe it as a non-spiritual religion of the flesh, or "...the world's first carnal religion".[19][20]
Contrary to popular belief, it does not involve "devil worship" or worship of any deities. The Church of Satan asserts that "In Satanism each individual is his or her own god—there is no room for any other god and that includes Satan, Lucifer, Cthulhu or whatever other name one might select or take from history or fiction.".[21] Adherents instead see the character of Satan as a symbol of pride, carnality, liberty, enlightenment, and undefiled wisdom, and serves as a conceptual framework and an external metaphorical projection of the Satanist's highest personal potential. Satan (Hebrew: שָּׂטָן satan, meaning "adversary") is seen as a symbol of defiance to the conservatism of mainstream philosophical and religious currents, mainly the Abrahamic religions, that see this character as their antithesis.[22][23][24][25][26]
The prefix "LaVeyan" was never used by Anton LaVey or by the Church of Satan, nor does the term appear in any of its literature.[27] The church has stated its contention that they are the first formally organized religion to adopt the term "Satanism" and asserts that Satanism and the 'worship of Satan' are not congruent.[28] The term "Theistic Satanism" has been described as "oxymoronic" by the church and its High Priest.[21] The Church of Satan rejects the legitimacy of any other organizations who claim to be Satanists, dubbing them reverse-Christians, pseudo-Satanists or Devil worshipers.[29][30] Today, the Church of Satan promotes itself as the only authentic representation of Satanism, and it routinely publishes materials underscoring this contention.[31][32]
The fundamentals of the religion's creed are synthesized in The Nine Satanic Statements,[33] The Nine Satanic Sins,[34] and The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth.[35]
Accusations of Satanism[edit]
Historically, some people or groups have been specifically described as worshiping Satan or the Devil, or of being devoted to the work of Satan. The widespread preponderance of these groups in European cultures is in part connected with the importance and meaning of Satan within Christianity.
Christianity[edit]



 Title illustration of Johannes Praetorius (writer) (de) Blocksbergs Verrichtung (1668) showing many traditional features of the medieval Witches' Sabbath
See also: European witchcraft, Maleficium (sorcery) and Witch-cult hypothesis
Pagans celebrating Pan, Odin, Perkūnas, or other pagan deities were often claimed by the Catholic Church to be worshiping the Devil and his crones and minions.[36]
Many gnostic groups have been regarded as Satanic, with its prominent details implying Lucifer, or the serpent, as being a true god or prophet that liberated Adam and Eve while the god of the Old Testament is regarded as a demiurge. Hegemonius accused Mani, founder of Manicheanism, of being Satanic when Mani said that Jehovah is "the devil god which created the world"[37] and that "he who spoke with Moses, the Jews, and the priests … is the [Prince] of Darkness, … not the god of truth."[38]
The witch trials in early modern Europe, in particular, the notion that witches congregated at a Witches' Sabbath in order to serve the Devil.[36]
Gilles de Rais (15th century, France) was a French nobleman who was tried and executed for the murders of hundreds of children in quasi-Satanic rituals.[36]
Johann Georg Faust. (16th century, Germany)[36] Many instructions, in German and in Latin, for making a pact with the Devil were attributed to him. These were collected and published in Germany in a few of the volumes of Das Kloster (1845–1849).
Urbain Grandier (17th century, France). Although set up by the Catholic Church, a very famous document, in Latin, of a pact with the Devil he allegedly wrote has been preserved.[36]
People involved in the Poison Affair, such as Catherine Deshayes and Étienne Guibourg (17th century, France). The documentation from their trial is the principal Early Modern source for information on the Black Mass.[39][40]
The Marquis de Sade (18th century, France), described by Iwan Bloch as being a fanatic Satanist.[41] His works graphically described blasphemy against the Catholic Church, such as an orgy resembling a Black Mass conducted by Pope Pius VI in the Vatican (in his novel Juliette).
In 1865, the anti-Vatican Italian poet Giosuè Carducci published his poem Inno a Satana ("Hymn to Satan"), praising Satan as the god of reason and expressing religious hatred towards Christianity.
Many adherents of the Decadent movement, such as the Polish author Stanisław Przybyszewski, the Belgian artist Félicien Rops, and the French poet Charles Baudelaire (who published Les Litanies de Satan in 1857) either called themselves Satanists, or created overtly Satanist artwork and literature.[42]
Some French movements widely described as being Satanist by French writers of the time (late 19th to early 20th centuries). The most well-known description available in English is the 1891 novel Là-bas by Joris-Karl Huysmans. However, there were numerous other well-known personalities in France that were related to the circles Huysmans describes, such as Joseph-Antoine Boullan, Stanislas de Guaita, Henri Antoine Jules-Bois, and Joséphin Péladan, who either wrote about Satanism in France, or were accused of being Satanists themselves.[43][44]
Freemasonry was described as being Satanist in the completely discredited Taxil hoax.[45]
At least two Satanic (or "Luciferian") sects existed in France in the 1930s. One was led by Maria de Naglowska, and had rituals dedicated to Satan and Lucifer.[46] Another, led by a former Catholic priest, celebrated an inversion of the Latin Mass (a "Luciferian Mass"), which included the phrase "In nomine Domini Dei nostri Satanae Luciferi Excelsi" (a phrase that re-appeared 30 years later in Anton LaVey's Satanic Bible).[47]
Islam[edit]
The Yazidis, a minority religion of the Middle East who worship Melek Taus, are often referred to as Satan worshippers by some Muslims.[48] Due to this, they have been targeted for conversion and extermination by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[49]
Popular music[edit]
Black metal has often been connected with Satanism, in part for the lyrical content of several bands and their frequent use of imagery often tied to left hand path beliefs (such as the inverted pentagram). More often than not musicians associating themselves with black metal say they do not believe in legitimate Satanic ideology and often profess to being atheists, agnostics, or religious skeptics. In some instances, followers of right hand path religions use Satanic references for entertainment purposes and shock value.[50] Most of black metal's "first wave" bands only used Satanism for shock value; one of the few exceptions is Mercyful Fate singer King Diamond, who follows LaVeyan Satanism[51] and whom Michael Moynihan calls "one of the only performers of the '80s Satanic Metal who was more than just a poseur using a devilish image for shock value".[52] One early precursor to Satanic metal was the 1969 rock album Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls, which contained numerous references to Satanism that reappeared in later Satanic rock music.
Glen Benton, vocalist and bassist of the band Deicide, once openly claimed to be a practitioner of theistic Satanism, and has spoken publicly to profess staunch anti-Christian sentiment. The controversial Dissection frontman Jon Nödtveidt openly spoke about his "chaos-gnostic" satanic beliefs, being a member of the Misanthropic Luciferian Order, and called his band "the sonic propaganda unit of the MLO".[53] Norwegian black metal artists such as Euronymous from Mayhem and Infernus from Gorgoroth have also identified themselves as Satanists and actively promoted their beliefs.[54] Numerous church burnings that covered parts of Norway in the early 1990s were also attributed to youths involved in the black metal movement, which included people promoting theistic Satanic beliefs and strong anti-LaVeyan attitudes.[55] 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 some of those who contribute to the genre.[56]
Organizations[edit]
The Church of Satan[edit]
Main article: Church of Satan
On Walpurgisnacht, April 30, 1966, Anton LaVey founded the "The Satanic Church" (which he would later rename the "Church of Satan"). The Church of Satan is an organization dedicated to the acceptance of the carnal self, as articulated in The Satanic Bible, written in 1969 by Anton Szandor LaVey.
First Satanic Church[edit]
Main article: First Satanic Church
After LaVey's death in 1997 the Church of Satan was taken over by a new administration and its headquarters was moved to New York. LaVey's daughter, the High Priestess Karla LaVey, felt this to be a disservice to her father's legacy. The First Satanic Church was re-founded on October 31, 1999 by Karla LaVey to carry on the legacy of her father. She continues to run it out of San Francisco, California.
Temple of Set[edit]
Main article: Temple of Set
The Temple of Set is an initiatory occult society claiming to be the world's leading left-hand path religious organization. It was established in 1975 by Michael A. Aquino and certain members of the priesthood of the Church of Satan,[57] who left because of administrative and philosophical disagreements. ToS deliberately self-differentiates from CoS in several ways, most significantly in theology and sociology.[58] The philosophy of the Temple of Set may be summed up as "enlightened individualism" — enhancement and improvement of oneself by personal education, experiment and initiation. This process is necessarily different and distinctive for each individual. The members do not agree on whether Set is "real" or not, and they're not expected to.[58]
Setianism, in theory, is similar to theistic Satanism. The principle deity of Setianism is the ancient Egyptian god Set, or Seth, the god of adversary. Set supposedly is the Dark Lord behind the Hebrew entity Satan. Set, as the first principle of consciousness, is emulated by Setians, who symbolize the concept of individual, subjective intelligence distinct from the natural order as the "Black Flame". (Some people who are not members of the Temple of Set find spiritual inspiration in the Egyptian god Set, and may share some beliefs with the organization. The belief system in general is referred to as Setianism.)
Members of the Temple of Set are mostly male, between the ages of twenty and fifty.[58]
Order of Nine Angles[edit]
Main article: Order of Nine Angles
The authors Per Faxneld and Jesper Petersen write that the Order of Nine Angles (ONA, O9A) "represent a dangerous and extreme form of Satanism".[59] The ONA first attracted public attention during the 1980s and 1990s after being mentioned in books detailing fascist Satanism. They were initially formed in the United Kingdom and are presently organized around clandestine cells (which it calls traditional nexions)[60][61] and around what it calls sinister tribes.[62][63]
The Satanic Temple[edit]
The Satanic Temple uses the literary Satan as a mythological foundation for a non-supernatural religion,[64] in order to construct a cultural narrative that can usefully contextualize life experiences and promote pragmatic skepticism, rational reciprocity, personal autonomy, and curiosity.
As it lacks the creed of elitism and Social Darwinism that define the Church of Satan[65] in favor of other characteristics of the literary Satan, it contrasts[66] itself by actively participating in public affairs and providing outreach to the wider public. This has manifested in several public political actions[67][68] and efforts at lobbying,[69] with a focus on the separation of church and state and using satire against religious organizations that it believes interfere with freedom and the pursuit of happiness.[70]
The only requirements to be a member are to support the tenets and beliefs of the organization, and to name yourself a member.[71]
The group has held "worship" services that include dance music, porn rooms, phallic imagery, S&M behaviors and nudity. [72] It also considers gay marriage a religious sacrament, and therefore argues that bans on the practice violate Satanists' freedom of religion. [73] Because the group regards "inviolability of the body" as a key doctrine, it also views all restrictions on abortion, including mandatory waiting periods, as an infringement on the rights of Satanists to practice their religion. [74]
See also[edit]

Portal icon Occult portal
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Satan in literature
Satanic ritual abuse
Shaitan
Prometheus
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^ B.A. Robinson (March 2006). "Religious Satanism, 16th century Satanism, Satanic Dabbling, etc". Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
2.Jump up ^ Lewis, James R. (2002). The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions. Prometheus Books. p. 553. ISBN 1573922226.
3.Jump up ^ Gilmore, Peter. "Science and Satanism". Point of Inquiry Interview. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
4.Jump up ^ Royal Navy to allow devil worship CNN
5.Jump up ^ Carter, Helen. The devil and the deep blue sea: Navy gives blessing to sailor Satanist. The Guardian
6.Jump up ^ Navy approves first ever Satanist BBC News
7.Jump up ^ Linda Greenhouse (March 22, 2005). "Inmates Who Follow Satanism and Wicca Find Unlikely Ally". New York Times.
8.Jump up ^ "Before high court: law that allows for religious rights". Christian Science Monitor.
9.^ Jump up to: a b c Jesper Aagaard Petersen (2009). "Introduction: Embracing Satan". Contemporary Religious Satanism: A Critical Anthology. Ashgate Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7546-5286-1.
10.Jump up ^ Alisauskiene, Milda (2009). "The Peculiarities of Lithuanian Satanism". In Jesper Aagaard Petersen. Contemporary Religious Satanism: A Critical Anthology. Ashgate Publishing. ISBN 0-7546-5286-6.
11.Jump up ^ "Satanism stalks Poland". BBC News. 2000-06-05.
12.Jump up ^ Partridge, Christopher Hugh (2004). The Re-enchantment of the West. p. 82. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
13.Jump up ^ Prayers to Satan
14.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/Pages/Enema.html
15.Jump up ^ "Church of Satan FAQ 18. DRUG ABUSE". Churchofsatan.com. Retrieved 2013-09-09.
16.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/Pages/CShistory7LR.html
17.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/satanism-the-feared-religion.php
18.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/walpurgisnacht-xxxvii.php
19.Jump up ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEnxnINMkPE&list=UUTTM5rdQA-E78nSkOnUluug
20.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/support-the-organization.php
21.^ Jump up to: a b http://www.churchofsatan.com/faq-fundamental-beliefs.php
22.Jump up ^ http://altreligion.about.com/od/alternativereligionsaz/a/satanism.htm
23.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/Pages/WhatTheDevil.html
24.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/Pages/_FAQ03.html
25.Jump up ^ [1][dead link]
26.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/Pages/ChaplainsHandbook.html
27.Jump up ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkmuV5R_O6g
28.Jump up ^ http://news.churchofsatan.com/post/101945623742/why-satanism-must-not-be-confused-with-devil
29.Jump up ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/national/wp/2014/11/07/the-church-of-satan-wants-you-to-stop-calling-these-devil-worshipping-alleged-murderers-satanists/
30.Jump up ^ "Satanism: An interview with Church of Satan High Priest Peter Gilmore". Wikinews. Retrieved 2013-09-09.
31.Jump up ^ Gilmore, Peter H. (2007). The Satanic Scriptures. Scapegoat Publishing.
32.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/rebels-without-cause.php
33.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/nine-satanic-statements.php
34.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/nine-satanic-sins.php
35.Jump up ^ http://www.churchofsatan.com/eleven-rules-of-earth.php
36.^ Jump up to: a b c d e Robbins, Rossell Hope, The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Demonology, 1959.
37.Jump up ^ Manichaeism by Alan G. Hefner in The Mystica, undated
38.Jump up ^ Acta Archelai of Hegemonius, Chapter XII, c. AD 350, quoted in Translated Texts of Manicheism, compiled by Prods Oktor Skjærvø, page 68. History of the Acta Archelai explained in the Introduction, page 11
39.Jump up ^ Extensively described in: Zacharias, Gerhard, Der dunkle Gott: Satanskult und Schwarze Messe, München (1964).
40.Jump up ^ Original sources: Ravaisson, François Archives de la Bastille (Paris, 1866-1884, volumes IV, V, VI, VII)
41.Jump up ^ Dr. Iwan Bloch, Marquis de Sade: His Life and Work, 1899: "The Marquis de Sade gave evidence in his novels of being a fanatic Satanist."
42.Jump up ^ Jullian, Philippe, Esthétes et Magiciens, 1969; Dreamers of Decadence, 1971.
43.Jump up ^ Bois, Jules, Le Satanisme et la Magie - avec une étude de J.-K. Huysmans, Paris, 1895.
44.Jump up ^ Huysmans, J.-K., Là-Bas, 1891
45.Jump up ^ Waite, A.E., Devil Worship in France, London: George Redway 1896.
46.Jump up ^ Medway, Gareth (2001). Lure of the Sinister: The Unnatural History of Satanism. p. 18.
47.Jump up ^ Messe Luciférienne, in Pierre Geyraud, Les Petites Églises de Paris, 1937 (Source here: Messe Luciférienne).
48.Jump up ^ “The Devil Worshipers of the Middle East : Their Beliefs & Sacred Books” Holmes Pub Group LLC (December 1993) ISBN 1-55818-231-4 ISBN 978-1-55818-231-8
49.Jump up ^ O'Loughlin, Ed (16 August 2014). "Devil in the detail as Yazidis look to Kurds in withstanding Islamic radicals’ advance". Irish Times. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
50.Jump up ^ Baddeley, Gavin (1993). Raising Hell!: The Book of Satan and Rock 'n' Roll.
51.Jump up ^ Götz Kühnemund: A History of Horror. In: Rock Hard, no. 282, November 2010, pp. 20-27.
52.Jump up ^ Michael Moynihan, Didrik Søderlind: Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground, Feral House 1998, pp. 15f.
53.Jump up ^ INTERVIEW FOR THE FANS BY THE FANS. - Final Interview with Jon Nödtveidt -.
54.Jump up ^ Garry Sharpe-Young (2007). Metal: The Definitive Guide.
55.Jump up ^ Grude, Torstein (Director) (January 1, 1998). Satan rir media (motion picture). Norway: Grude, Torstein.
56.Jump up ^ Ihsahn Interview
57.Jump up ^ Aquino, Michael (2002). Church of Satan (PDF). San Francisco: Temple of Set.
58.^ Jump up to: a b c Harvey, Graham (2009). "Satanism: Performing Alterity and Othering". In Jesper Aagaard Petersen. Contemporary Religious Satanism: A Critical Anthology. Ashgate Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7546-5286-1.
59.Jump up ^ Per Faxneld: Post-Satanism, Left Hand Paths, and Beyond in Per Faxneld & Jesper Petersen (eds) The Devil's Party: Satanism in Modernity, Oxford University Press (2012), p.207. ISBN 9780199779246
60.Jump up ^ Senholt, Jacob. Secret Identities in The Sinister Tradition: Political Esotericism and the Convergence of Radical Islam, Satanism and National Socialism in the Order of Nine Angles, in Per Faxneld & Jesper Petersen (eds), The Devil's Party: Satanism in Modernity. Oxford University Press, 2012. ISBN 9780199779246
61.Jump up ^ FAQ About ONA
62.Jump up ^ Angular Momentum: from Traditional to Progressive Satanism in the Order of Nine Angles
63.Jump up ^ Sinister Tribes Of The ONA
64.Jump up ^ The Satanic Temple
65.Jump up ^ Peter, Magus (1966-04-30). "Satanism: The Feared Religion". churchofsatan.com. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
66.Jump up ^ "Church of Satan • Let’s You and Him Fight". News.churchofsatan.com. 2013-12-09. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
67.Jump up ^ Massoud Hayoun (2013-12-08). "Group aims to put 'Satanist' monument near Oklahoma capitol | Al Jazeera America". America.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
68.Jump up ^ "Satanists petition to build monument on Oklahoma state capitol grounds | Washington Times Communities". Communities.washingtontimes.com. 2013-12-09. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
69.Jump up ^ Bugbee, Shane (2013-07-30). "Unmasking Lucien Greaves, Leader of the Satanic Temple | VICE United States". Vice.com. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
70.Jump up ^ "The Satanic Temple Performs Ceremony at Westboro Baptist Church Family Gravesite". Thesatanictemple.com. 2013-07-17. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
71.Jump up ^ "Join". Thesatanictemple.com. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
72.Jump up ^ "Can the Satanic Temple Save America?".
73.Jump up ^ "THE SATANIC TEMPLE".
74.Jump up ^ "Satanist challenges Missouri’s 72-hour abortion wait: It’s “a burden on my sincerely held religious beliefs”".
Further reading[edit]
Michelet, Jules (1862). Satanism and Witchcraft: The Classic Study of Medieval Superstition. ISBN 978-0-8065-0059-1. 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 978-0-399-50035-0. Summary of the history of Witchcraft, Satanism, and Devil Worship in the last part of the book.
Passantino, Bob and Gretchen: Satanism: Grand Rapids: Zondervan: 1995.
Zacharias, Gerhard (1980). The Satanic Cult. ISBN 978-0-04-133008-3. Translated from the 1964 German edition by Christine Trollope.
Chornyisyn, Mykhailo (2009). Hail Satan. ISBN 978-0-557-06489-2.
Wlodek, Nikodem (2004). Satans Raw.
Medway, Gareth (2001). Lure of the Sinister: The Unnatural History of Satanism. ISBN 978-0-8147-5645-4.
Noctulius, Emperor (2007). The Path to Satan. ISBN 978-1-4348-2055-6.
Massimo Introvigne, I satanisti. Storia, riti e miti del satanismo, Sugarco, 2010
External links[edit]
 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Satanism.
 Wikinews has related news: Satanism: An interview with Church of Satan High Priest Peter Gilmore
Religious Tolerance page on Satanism
Satanism at DMOZ
The Satanic Temple (official national website)


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