DIABOLISM encyclopedia topics

Theistic Satanism

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

Luciferianism

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

Atheistic Satanism

LaVeyan Satanism

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

Temple of Set

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

Modern Satanism

Modern Satanism is the observance and practice of Satanic religious beliefs, philosophies and customs. In this interpretation of Satanism, the Satanist does not worship Satan in the theistic sense, but is an adversary to all spiritual creeds, espousing hedonism, materialism, Randian Objectivism, antinomianism, rational egoism, individualism, suitheism, Nietzschean and some Crowleyan philosophy and anti-theism. Modern Satanists are also sometimes referred to as symbolic Satanists.

Groups alleged to have practiced Satanism

Many groups have been believed to have worshiped Satan, from pagans celebrating Pan to Yezidis worshiping Melek Taus.

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