There is no generally valid definition of Satanism religion that exhaustively clarifies all aspects of this phenomenon. Those groups that explicitly perceive and define themselves as Satanists are in the minority. Also, many young people are suspected of flirting with the movement using several “decorative” elements of Satanist doctrine. Or are labeled “Satanists” against their will.
Satanism represents the tendency in contemporary Western literature to take the Devil as its main inspiration. It was exposed by modern inquisitors (including on the internet) even in its most innocent manifestations. Satanism is the most contested religion today, regardless of the forms it takes. Satan, unrecognized or unheard of by all satanic groups, is designated in the Jewish and also Christian faiths as God’s greatest enemy and the worst evil in the universe.
What is generally understood today by Satanism religion is a newer creation or “product.” Thus, the famous “black liturgies” appeared only at the end of the 17th century. By the 18th-19th century, all sorts of circles and orders were formed whose doctrines and practices facilitated the emergence of Satanism.
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Why do people worship Satan?
Gnosticism promotes a Good-Bad, Light-Dark dualism, using rich mythology and metaphorical language to illustrate this doctrine. In the Gnostic conception, existence is perceived as a combination of two opposed principles: on the one hand, the higher spiritual world. And on the other, the lower material world.
According to some polls, people worship Satan to serve him by doing as much evil in the world as possible. And also, they like the power to feel free and uncontrolled. Black masses, ritual murders, dark figures who drink blood and celebrate orgies: many prejudices and conspiracy theories about Satanism exist. “Satanism” religion refers to the worship or honoring of the Devil.
The conception of such spiritual beings leads us to think of the Canaanite gods in the vicinity of Israel. As having been degraded by the people of Israel and regarded as spirits subordinate to God. However, his initial image in the pages of Scripture is less friendly in dealing with people, and it has nothing in common with the picture we have had of Satan since childhood.
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Who founded Satanism?
Throughout history, man has always sought the Good, has sought it to the extent that he could and succeeded in doing so. In comparison, they were trying to avoid evil, to detach themselves from it and its forces. Therefore, Good and Evil, beyond their meanings, are part of human history. No matter how they have been represented or received, no matter what the religious history of the different peoples of the world may be, Good and Evil are present everywhere.
The actual founder of modern Satanism is Aleister Crowley, whose doctrine, developed in the early 20th century, was to exert a strong influence on certain circles. However, only a few well-structured and organized cults claim to be Satanists. Two are more important: the First Church of Satan and the Temple of Seth.
Evil, as a personal and existential reality, is but the antipode of Good. Moral reality is the product of man’s freedom and personal choice. Both as an individual and moral certainty, we find it expressed in many places and times in similar forms, in the Greeks, Romans, and Germans, from the Indians and Chinese to the Jews and Christians.
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What religion worships the Devil?
The acceptance of the existence of demons, those evil spirits who act against people, already appears in the earliest periods of the Old Testament, but they play a secondary role. At the center of the Old Testament writings is Yahweh, the God of Israel. He alone is to be honored by the people, for he is the only God in existence. Everything that concerns the people comes from Him, both good and evil. In the beginning, no other supernatural forces or powers have a place with Him.
Satanic religion has as its primary objective the worship of the Devil. Over time, the theological impact on the image of Satan has diminished. The emancipation of many from the teaching of the Church and the value criteria it offers. The growing debate between religion and science has led some writers and artists to view And present the individual as detached from the framework and space of the Church.
In the US, many Satanists see themselves as political activists – and as a counterpoint to evangelical movements. As they demonize homosexuality, prevent abortions, or want to establish Christian symbols.
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Do Satanists worship Satan?
Satanists are different, and they have different ways of perceiving reality, magic, and so on. But if you think about it, it all boils down to the name Satan, which has been given almost every possible guise, from beast to savior, from stupid to intelligent. Each infatuation gets a new Satanist group that tends to follow it. For Satanists, the ideal would be to find a form of Satanism religion that is so complex that it encompasses all Satanists.
Satanists worship Satan and have as their goal the corruption of righteous people. They see Satan as a deity they consider a friend, an ally, or a master; it depends on the Satanist’s ideas. A mistake is made when it is said that they worship Satan as he appears in the Christian Bible. Traditional Satanism religion is generally based on followers and initiates. They aspire to change the character to create an evolved man, superior to others, who will, in time (on the order of decades), mold society into a perfect one.
During the Enlightenment and the total separation of theology and the natural sciences, theological teaching about Satan did not have the same impact on people. Questions like, “How is witchcraft possible?” or “Does the devil have a body?” no longer needed to be answered, as the existence of witches and the Devil seemed outdated.
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How is Satan perceived?
During the Enlightenment, different issues were at stake in philosophy. And evil was interpreted as a form of absolute egoism or pure negation. The human inclination towards evil resulted from a strictly personal choice, without any connection to the Devil. Thus, the Marquis de Sade’s heroes (1740-1814) acted cruelly and unscrupulously, exclusively interested in satisfying their abnormal instincts and passions. They succeed in this because they apply the laws of nature. According to de Sade, Whose essence consists of horror, destruction, and suffering.
William Blake (1757-1827), an English painter and poet, considered Satan a bearer of hope for better times. But the image of Satan in Blake’s work already suggests traces of doubt about the optimistic belief in the progress of the Enlightenment, which is increasingly evident in the works of Lord Byron (1788-1824).
In his work “Faust,” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) presents the Devil in the guise of Mephisto. As a spirit “always wills evil but always does good.” He is, therefore, not the destroyer but the preserver of God’s creation. Through his “enlightening” force, which he exerts on Faust. In the scenario proposed by the author, the relationships between the characters of the myth show Mephisto. As a potent adversary of God. And Faust is a victim of the Devil’s schemes: with the evil spirit’s help. Horus can obtain what divine justice cannot guarantee.
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Representation of physical features of Lucifer
Upside Down Pentagram
Many wear it either as a modern accessory or as a pattern printed on various clothing articles without knowing its true symbolism. The Pentagram, as the name suggests, represents a five-pointed star made up of five lines. From an etymological point of view, the word “pentagram” comes from the Greek term “five lines.” The pentagram symbol has been used since ancient times, discovered in ancient Greece, Rome, and Babylon.
Satanic followers have also borrowed the symbol of the Pentagram, and in Satanism, the Pentagram is represented upside down, and its central symbol is the deity Baphomet. Two circles surround this pentagram, symbolizing human decay, hidden desires, and dark thoughts. The circles represent the closedness, the powerlessness of outside forces to penetrate. When a pentagram is circled, it is called a pentacle.
The pentagram symbol was first found in Mesopotamia in inscriptions dating from around 3000 BC. The Sumerians used pentagrams to designate an angle, a chamber, or a room, while the Babylonians used pentagrams for orientation. The Pentagram also had a solid astrological influence on Babylonian culture. The five corners designated five planets: Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn. And Venus, the latter being the ‘Empress of Heaven.’
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Baphomet hand sign
In the language of hands and fingers, a particular sign or gesture can be more expressive or conclusive than dozens of words. It is a highly effective means of communication. But its symbolism and meaning inevitably differ in the cultures and traditions of the world. Baphomet is an enigmatic, goat-headed figure that has appeared in several instances in occult history. From the Knights Templar of the Middle Ages and the Freemasons of the 19th century to modern mysterious currents. Baphomet never fails to create controversy.
Through Baphomet’s hand sign, his Hands form the ‘sign of Hermeticism’ – a visual representation of the Hermetic axiom ‘As above, so below. This dictum sums up all the teachings and aims of Hermeticism, where the microcosm (man) is the macrocosm (the universe). Therefore, understanding one is equal to understanding the other. This Law of Correspondence comes from the Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus, where it was stated:
Throughout the history of Western occultism, the name of the mysterious Baphomet is often invoked. Although it became a common household name in the 20th century, mentions of Baphomet can be found in documents dating back to the 11th century. Today, the symbol is associated with anything related to occultism, rituals of magic, witchcraft, Satanism, religion, and esotericism. Baphomet often appears in popular culture to represent all things occult.
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The 9 Satanic Principles of the Satanic Bible
- 😀” Satan represents indulgence rather than abstinence.”
- 💬” Satan means living existence rather than spiritual dreams.”
- 🧐”The Devil represents unadulterated wisdom rather than hypocritical self-deception.”
- 💗” Satan stands for kindness to the deserving rather than squandering love on the ungrateful.”
- 🤬” Satan represents revenge rather than turning the other cheek.”
- 🧛”The Master Satan represents responsibility for those who are responsible, rather than looking out for psychic vampires.”
- 🐕” Satan represents man as an animal among other animals, sometimes better but often worse than his four-legged friends – due to his “divine, spiritual and intellectual development” he has become the worst of all animals.”
- 😊” He represents all so-called sins because they all lead to physical, spiritual, and emotional fulfillment.”
- ⛪” Satan is the best friend the Church has ever had because he has kept her alive all these years.”
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The first Church of Satan
The most significant Satanism movement and religion began in 1960 in America, led by Anton Szandor LaVey, a sharp, intelligent person with a charismatic character and an imposing appearance.
LaVey founded the first Church of Satan in San Francisco in 1966, which brought him much media attention. He performed Satanist baptisms, weddings, and funerals, getting him more publicity. He used a naked woman (partially wrapped in leopard skin) as an altar. His wife, Dianne, became the first priestess of the Satanist church. He baptized Zeena. Karla began lecturing on Satanism at universities and colleges.
The Satanist Church attracted members from all over the world. Most were occult, curious, racist, and even political leaders. At its peak, the number of adherents is thought to have been 25,000 (some years later, former members claim the numbers are exaggerated). Among the followers are celebrities such as Jayne Mansfield, who became active members.
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Who founded the Church of Satan?
Even though the dollars still say that God is the trust, the charts show that the percentage of those who declare themselves Christians is falling fast. In 2009, 77% of those surveyed said they were Christians, but in 2019, only 65% said they were Christians. In the same period, atheists and agnostics increased from 17% to 26%. A force plays a vital role in this process that few would have thought of: Satanists.
Probably the most famous Satanist of the 19th century was the Abbé Boullan of France, who founded the Church of Satan. And later became the leader of the Church of Carmel and allegedly conducted black magic rituals and sacrifices. The Church of Carmel was founded by Eugene Vintras, founder of the Tillysur-Seulles cardboard factory.
In 1839 Vintras says he received a letter from the archangel Michael, followed by visions of the archangel and the spirits of Joseph or Mary. He was informed that he was the incarnation of the prophet Elijah. And his role was to discover a new order and found a new religion according to which the holy spirit was to come. And the true king of France was Charles Naundorf.
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Satanic Temple
According to Wikipedia, the Satanists are part of a founding society based on a belief in the Egyptian god Set (also known as Seth), who the members did not consider the representative of evil but simply the prototype of Satan. According to the temple, Set represented the course of evolution and altered the genetics of humans to create people with higher intelligence for the next level of development.
The Satanic Temple has become known for its extravagant activism: unveiling an 8-foot-tall statue depicting Baphomet in front of the Arkansas State Capitol building. At the same time, the Church of Satan adds a ritualistic underpinning to an Objectivist philosophy. The Satanic Temple sees social involvement and improvement as essential.
Contemporary Satanism originated with Anton LaVey. In 1966, he founded the Satanist Church in San Francisco. He published the Satanic Bible in 1969. LaVey’s Satanism is atheistic and is described as a “carnal religion.” Followers believe that all gods are fictitious and that the utmost importance lies in self. And the pursuit of self-interest. Like other gods, Satan is not a deity to be worshipped. He is instead a metaphor for the opponent of irrationality and religious beliefs (the name “Satan” comes from Hebrew and means “the one who opposes.”).
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Primary Takeaways
- Satanic rituals involve the initiation of an oath to serve Satan, to denigrate and fight against God. The worship of Satan is achieved, among other things, by an excess of alcohol, and drugs, the sacrifice of animals, orgies, and the invocation of evil spirits.
- After swearing the oath, and initiation, any satanic organization, group, or order cultivates a form of “arcane discipline.” Under the threat of various punishments (e.g., torture, assault, death, etc.), initiates are not allowed to give out any information about the respective group’s infrastructure and degree of organization, lodge, or order.
- The black “liturgy” is part of the ritual practice of any Satanist group. It represents the inversion of the Christian ritual, specifically the Roman Catholic Mass. The instruments used in the performance of the pattern are, among others, a black roof, altar cloths, badges, prayer cards, symbols such as the Pentagram, the inverted cross, the number 666, black candles, and an altar. The ritual cannot be typified. However, according to the testimonies of some followers who have left the organization, extremely brutal and sadistic variants are practiced.
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Conclusion
The satanic revolt that began with this Satanism religion is directed against earthly instances and God. Satanist followers start from the idea that God is behind these instances, giving them power and support. That is why, ultimately, their revolt is aimed at Him. This is also why they identify with Satan, God’s adversary. Also, in the name of Satan, they fight against all moral principles and, therefore, against everything that man experiences as a duty for which he is responsible to God.
Consciously or unconsciously, Satanism religion does not and cannot fight against the true God, but only against a distorted image of God. The true God is a God of freedom who created us all as free beings, and liberty springs from God’s absolute sovereignty. As Satanists believe, human freedom is not complete; it finds its fulfillment in our response to the initiative and call addressed to us by God himself: it is God’s call to love, a call that can only be answered by love.