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Satanism is a religious, semi-religious and/or philosophical movement whose adherents recognize Satan as an archetype, pre-cosmic force, actual living entity, or some aspect of human nature. Although named for Satan, a name associated with evil and temptation, Satanism is more commonly the name given to certain spiritual paths which emphasize the Left-Hand Path, as opposed to the much more common Right-Hand Path. Left-Handers believe in spiritual enrichment through their own work on themselves, and that ultimately they are answerable only to themselves, while Right-Handers believe in spiritual enrichment through the dissolution or submission of the self to (or into) something greater. LaVeyans do not in fact worship a deity called Satan, or necessarily any other deity, nor do they follow a principle of evil. This aspect of their beliefs is very commonly misunderstood due to the presence of theistic Satanists, who revere Satan as a literal being.
Instead of divine laws or naturistic principles (such as in Wicca), Satanism generally focuses upon material or physical advancement of the self with guidance from external higher beings or external principles, instead of submission to a deity or a set of moral codes. For this reason, many contemporary Satanists eschew traditional religious beliefs, attitudes and worship in favor of more egoistic, self-centering worldviews, natural law, survival of the fittest and practices such as materialism, individualism and magick. However, some Satanists do choose voluntary moral codes, thought carries a strong current of inversionism; although a faith in its own right groups or individuals described in some sense or another as Satanic can largely, though incomprehensively, be described as belonging to one of two unofficial sub-groupings: Philosophical Satanism or Religious Satanism.
History
The concept of Satan has evolved over the centuries, as has Satanism.
Originally in Judeo-Christian traditions, Satan was seen as a part of creation, embodying the principle that one could choose contrary to God's wishes, and thus empowering the potential for freewill and defiance. (In this context an ancient Jewish commentary notes that only when the potential to contravene God's will arose, could creation become "very good" as opposed to merely "good"). Over the centuries this concept of Satan came to embody all that was evil and against God, a change attributable to two main influences:
- The view that everything had its opposite, and that God, all-good, must have His opposing deity too (many preceding multiple deity religions also had their evil gods as well as good gods, Set of the Ancient Egyptians being one example),
- The spreading of Christianity, followed by Islam, both religions which gained a wide number of adherents, which placed a high premium on salvation and the afterlife, and within which Satan grew as an embodiment of all that was trying to undermine God in this theological world-view.
As society evolved from the reformation into the enlightenment onwards (17th and 18th centuries), people in Western societies began to question the nature of evil, and Satan gradually evolved yet again in response to this, so Satanism came to signify a tradition which denied traditional religious paths in favor of a self-oriented path, rather than a path which favored evil.
In an older sense, Satanism also refers to unorthodox practices within Abrahamic religions deemed by an orthodoxy to be in opposition to the Abrahamic God. The earliest recorded instance of the word is in "A confutation of a booke (by Bp. Jewel) entitled An apologie of the Church of England", by Thomas Harding (1565): ll, ii, 42 b, "Meaning the time when Luther first bringed to Germanie the poisoned cuppe of his heresies, blasphemies, and Satanismes." As Martin Luther himself would have denied any link between his teachings and Satan, this use of the term Satanism was primarily pejorative. Many Satanists find such use of the term offensive.
Satan within Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Ayyavazhi
The term "Satan" originated with Judaism and was expanded upon by Christians and Muslims. This Judeo-Christian-Islamic view of Satan can be broken up as follows:
- Jewish: Satan (שטן) in Hebrew, means "adversary" or "accuser", and is also the name used for the angel who tests believers. Satan is not considered an enemy of God, but a servant whose duties include testing the faith of humanity.
- Islamic: The Arabic word for Satan, "al-Shaitaan" (الشيطان) means transgressor, or adversary, as in Judaism. It is a title which is generally attributed to a being called Iblis, who is a Jinn that disobeyed God and was condemned consequently by God to serve as a source of misguidance for mankind and the Jinn to test their faith in God. Iblis is said to be the proper name for the devil-like figure named in the Qur'an whereas there are many Shaitan.
- Christian: In most branches of Christianity, Satan, originally Lucifer before he fell away from Grace, is a spiritual being or angel who was once in God's service. Satan is said to have fallen from God due to excess of pride and self-idolatry. (In Christianity, the fallen "son of the dawn" of Isaiah 14:12 is identified with the "adversary" of the Book of Job.) It is said to be Satan who whispered to man that he could become as God, negating his creaturely position, which led to man's original sin and his being cast out of Eden. Satan is also referred to as the Devil from the Greek "diavolos" (Διαβολος), meaning "slanderer" or "one who accuses falsely" (derived from a verb which most literally means "to throw across" or "carry something over"). Reportedly, LaVey made the claim that the word "devil" was derived from the Sanskrit "devi", meaning goddess (though this is thought to be an incorrect etymology).
- Ayyavazhi: Akilattirattu Ammanai the source of Ayyavazhi mythology and religious book of Ayyavazhi says about Kroni, a satan like figure. He was sliced into six fragments and in each successive Yugas these fragments took birth in the world as Ravana, Duryodhana etc.
Types and approaches within Satanism
Philosophical Satanism
Largely considered to have been unofficially founded by Anton Szandor LaVey, with his creation of the Church of Satan (the first above-ground organization to use the term), Philosophical Satanism views one's self as the subjective center of the universe, and the highest aspirations and virtues are those which seek the elevation and improvement of the individual Satanist over others. Philosophical Satanists generally do not recognize a theological deity or a metaphysical afterlife (though this is not to say that one must not); however this does not equate to a life devoid of spirituality.
To the Philosophical Satanist, a person is his own god. He disdains rationalist, secular humanistic beliefs, seeing them as abhoring the existence of the supernatural, only to thereby promote a sterile life grounded in the 'real world' alone and sees them as working towards the altruistic advancement of his fellow man while neglecting due attendance to one's own gratification and fulfillment. Obviously, philosophically Satanic thought has had a long history before LaVey's Church. Though it was the notion of Satan as the conceited, self-seeking black sheep, acting falsely to his true position which inspired the title in spite of Judeo-Christian theology, which views Satan as evil because of these qualities.
LaVeyan Satanism
Main article: LaVeyan Satanism
This type of Satanism is based on the philosophy of Anton LaVey as outlined in The Satanic Bible and other works. LaVey was the founder of the Church of Satan (c.a. 1966). LaVey was influenced by the writings of Aleister Crowley, Friedrich Nietzsche, Ayn Rand, Marquis De Sade, Wyndham Lewis, Charles Darwin, Ambrose Bierce, Mark Twain and others. "Satan", in the view of LaVey, is seen as a positive influence, while the "divine" actions of the church are to be mocked, and the mundane is held in the highest disregard.
A LaVeyan Satanist views himself as his or her own god; the LaVeyan Satanic rituals are quite similar to Crowley's magick, with an eye towards furthering the Satanist's ends. The LaVeyan Satanist maintains that those who find themselves naturally aligned with Satanism should not adhere to herd mentality and assume there is something ethically wrong with them, but should instead adopt an individualistic attitude, and consequently should strive constantly to stand head-and-shoulders above the so-called Moral Majority, and not hesitate to exploit their misguided and naive altruism as necessary.
Religious Satanism
Religious Satanism is often similar in outlook and attitude to Philosophical Satanism, though it is generally a prerequisite 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 specially created to identify with or represent the practitioner. A Satan represented in the latter group may be entirely of the practitioner's mind, or may be an adoption from another (usually pre-Christian) religion.
Depending on the Satanists in question, this God (or Gods) may be any in a variety of deities, sometimes taken from ancient faiths; with common ones being Set of Egyptian theology, any number of ancient Mesopotamian Gods or Goddesses, sometimes Gods of Greek or Roman mythology (Mars, for instance). Others claim a largely original God, although it is usually said by those Satanists that their deity is in fact very old, perhaps from ancient pre-history and often being the first God worshipped by humans (though such claims are unverifiable at best).
Others worship a stricter interpretation of Satan: that of the fallen angel featured in the Christian Bible, though unlike many who see him as being evil as defined by the Christian Church, they instead believe him to be correct in his rebellion against God. All these faiths hold in common, however, with each other and with Philosophical Satanists, that man, and specifically the self are the highest priorities. This view is often supported by Satanists' view of the god, who is seen to encourage individuality and freedom of thought, and the quest to raise one's self up through means such as magick and similar to Nietzschean Will to Power.
One example of this would be the Abrahamic Satan, such as the Serpent in Genesis encouraging mankind to partake of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, saying "Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.", with the clear implication, coinciding with the beliefs of all Satanists, that mankind should know what is better for itself than any God which would forbid knowledge and self-government. Because of the common position that their faiths are in fact very old, or the oldest, Religious Satanists sometimes refer to themselves as "Traditional Satanists" and Philosophical Satanists as "Contemporary Satanists".
Setian Satanism
According to this sect, the Egyptian deity Set, is the real Dark Lord behind the name Satan. They have their own concept of the Black Flame.
This type of Satanism maintains that the Hebrews ran into an adversary in Egypt who was the Pharaoh of the Seti Dynasty, when Set was the principal pharaonic Deity. After the Pharaoh expelled the Hebrews from Egypt, the Hebrew Bible scribes wrote "Exodus", demonstrating the enormity of this event to the Hebrew people. However, there are apparently no Egyptian records to back up any of the Hebrew claims except a passing mention of the Pharaoh kicking many foreigners out at that time — not just Hebrews. Even so, the impact of this expulsion was large enough to the Hebrews to warrant their calling Egypt and its Seti Pharaoh "ha stn", the adversary. Setian Satanists theorize that "Satan" is a wrong or slanderous label for a legitimate Egyptian God, the God Set.
The practices and theology of the Set sect are very oriented towards cultivating selfhood. They reject the dissolving of the individual into oneness with existence, and celebrate the separation of the individual self from the rest of the universe. Some followers believe in Set as a real theistic conscious being that appears in revelations and delivers messages, while others revere Set as a more of a principle. How historically correct their picture of Set is might be considered debatable.
This type of Set-Satanism is a legally tax-exempt religion in the United States.
Sat/Tan Satanism
Main article: Sat/Tan Satanism
Sat/Tan Satanism is a unique, quasi-philosophical/quasi-theological brand of Satanism which maintains both religious and non-religious philosophical influences, either inwardly focusing or outwardly. Sat and Tan are Sanskrit words meaning respectively "Being" and "Becoming" (stretching forth), and it has been called by followers often also Dark Doctrine or Dark Discipline Satanism. It maintains that before the universe existed, there was a vast Darkness which represented the concepts of chaos and night, and within that Darkness, there was a Flame or Light which represented Divine Right, or creative capacity. The Flame or Light flared up and spread to the uttermost corners of the Darkness, creating the universe as we know it. Sat/Tan Satanism maintains that today a theoretical "Darkness" still exists throughout the cosmos, and that while all life possesses the creative Flame or Spark of Divine Right, only those individuals defined in this article as Satanists recognize and properly nurture their own Divinity (in the Sat/Tan sense). Those who neglect it are seen as living in the Darkness of ignorance. As such, the movement may be at least superficially compard to certain forms of Gnosticism or Manichaeism.
An undoubtedly interesting note is that there are parallels between Sith religion of Star Wars and Sat/Tan Satanism; where The Force is seen as the Flame and the Jedi and their dogma are seen as living in the Darkness of meek or ignorant submission the so-called "Will of the Force" (the Sith believe the Force has no will except when put to proper direction by the will of the Sith Acolyte himself).
Satanic cults
Main article: Satanic ritual abuse
The existence of large networks of organized Satanists involved in illegal activities, murder, and child abuse is occasionally claimed, often by fundamentalist religious movements. Not all but most of those claims these clames have been found to be true.
Devil Worship
This section deals with the Satanism conjured by the Inquisition-era Church. This is the Satanism accused of baby-eating, goat-killing, virgin sacrifice, and general hatred of Christianity. These ideas were outlined in The Malleus Maleficarum, perhaps the definitive book on such acts. Ironically, the book was generally not accepted by the Church at the time of the Inquisition, but has gone on to be the template of modern Devil Worship .
In the modern world (and likely in the Inquisition times), there is no proof to suggest that such Devil Worship is practiced . This said, there are occasionally reports of people (often teenagers) who attempt to emulate such a religion through acts such as killing small animals, or claiming to have made a pact with Satan or other such ideas. This is an individual emulation of the acts described in The Malleus Maleficarum, not any sort of widespread organization.
Other Organizations, Groups, Etc.
In the Ophite sect of early Christianity, the Serpent was praised as the giver of knowledge. Sometimes Satan was also referred to, under the names Lucifer or "the light-bringer". Some Gnostics claimed that the being declared God by Christians and Jews was in fact lesser being known as the Demiurge, whose name derives from the creator figure in Plato's Timaeus; a very few Gnostic sects identified this figure with Satan; others (such as the Valentinians) saw Satan as a subsequent creation of the Demiurge.
Some early Gnostic sects, such as the Borborites and the followers of Carpocrates, were accused of horrific acts, including the eating (in horrific imitation of the sacrament) of semen, menses and aborted fetuses. These acts were committed with the apparent justification of libertinism; given that the material universe was not God's creation, it could be put to any use with no moral consequences. Accounts of these barbaric acts are not held to be at all credible, as the accusations were rhetorical attacks against these groups by such heresiological writers as Irenaeus.
However, Gnostic sects were commonly more liberal in nature than emergent orthodox groups; for example, in viewing sexual congress as a good, even a potentially spiritual act, and in allowing woman priests and bishops to adminsiter sacraments. There is evidence that Valentinians performed a religious ceremony known as the Bridal Chamber, in which the physical union of a man and woman was viewed as an earthly reenactment of God's completeness; the Gnostic conception of the divine was as an androgyne, as opposed to the orthodoxy identification of him as male. Such criticisms as Irenaeus' may be the deliberate exagerration of these misdeeds (from the point of view of orthodoxy).
The Order of Nine Angles (ONA) has labeled itself Traditional Satanist and considers Satanism to be an individual quest which goes far beyond the gratification of the pleasure-principle and involves the arduous achievement of self-mastery and self-overcoming in a Nietzschean sense, with the aim of cosmic wisdom. Their conception of Satanism is practical, with an emphasis on individual growth into realms of darkness and danger through risky acts of prowess. In addition, the ONA seek to change, and disrupt, society itself. They espouse human sacrifice, which they see as the culling of "opfers," victims who are chosen according to strict guidelines. The use of the term "traditional" by these Satanists (ONA) is viewed by some as improper because the ONA refuses to provide any evidence of an old tradition, countering that it is the duty of each initiate to work things out for themselves. In addition, it is felt that "Traditional Satanism" as a label applies better, or at least equally well, to parts of the gnostic movement and its modern remnants.
The Misanthropic Luciferian Order is a Scandinavian example of a Neo-Gnostic Satanic current. The MLO is a Chaos-Gnostic Order that "seeks the true Light of Lucifer through the study, development and practice of all forms of dark, gnostic and Satanic Magical systems".
The Norwegian Satanic Society, also known as DNSS, was the first LaVey-Satanic society in Norway and represents a more liberal or social-democratic Satanism, as writer Didrik Soderlind said it, compared to the more classic American Satanism.
Ordo Illuminatorum is a norwegian concept of Satanic illumination, which is set up by The Norwegian Satanic Society and Norwegian Satanic Temple, also known as NST. NST represents the philosophy of DNSS as well, but is more involved in the process of interaction between Satanists. Ordo Templi Satanas is the social network of lodges throughout the country, thus making it possible to interact socially with other Satanists.
In early 2004,John L. Westbrook, a former Oklahoma politician told a Penthouse reporter that he had formed an "occult fraternity, to finish the work that the Temple of Set has previously botched." He then displayed a platinum medallion which he had commissioned that resembled a Mars planetary sigil. He has christened this neo-Satanic fraternity The Order of Mars. He said membership in his "fraternity" is restricted to those whom he knows personally and that his group does not solicit memberships. He also stated that this "Order" is named in honor of the Roman god Mars, whom he claims is closely aligned with Egyptian god Set.
The Sinagogue of Satan is an organization of the religion founded by Michael S. Margolin based on the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Free Masonry's definition of Satanism as described in Albert Pike's work Morals and Dogma. This religion is not based on those of the popular Satanists of our day, nor Hollywood and Christian propaganda, except for Aleister Crowley. The religion contains no dogma in of itself, and encourages its followers to believe in whatever they like, as long as they do not attempt to push such beliefs on others. The aim of this religion is the ultimate destruction of religions through the advancement of individual freedom and social responsibility. The Sinagogue of Satan does not promote self-indulgence (in contrast to LaVeyan Satanism), but rather self-expression balanced with social responsibility.
See also Process Church, Yezidis for groups that have been called Satanist but do not accept that label.
Satanic philosophy
LaVey's "9 Satanic Statements", a sort of philosophical outline to defining Satanism, were as follows:
- Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence.
- Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams.
- Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit.
- Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates.
- Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek.
- Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires.
- Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his “divine spiritual and intellectual development,” has become the most vicious animal of all.
- Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification.
- Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as he has kept it in business all these years.
Matching these, LaVey also identified 9 Satanic sins, namely:
- Stupidity, pretentiousness (putting on airs), solipsism (expecting others to give back to you what you give to them), self-deceit, herd conformity, lack of perspective, forgetfulness of past orthodoxies (i.e. accepting something as new and different which is merely a repackaging of the old or the discredited), counterproductive pride (ie pride of a type which undermines one's own goals), and lack of aesthetics.
Note: solipsism can also refer to an epistemological idea attributed to Descartes, suggesting that one person is the only one to actually experience existence and that all others are merely figments of the imagination of this individual
He further outlined 11 so-called Satanic rules, which while not exactly a moral code, appear to be some kind of general guidelines for living:
- Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.
- Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure they want to hear them.
- When in another’s lair, show him respect or else do not go there.
- If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy.
- Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal.
- Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the other person and he cries out to be relieved.
- Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained.
- Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself.
- Do not harm little children.
- Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food.
- When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.
It is interesting to note that some of these rules appear opposite to traits commonly perceived as "Satanic." Specifically, proselytism (in this case, actively turning others to the worship of Satan) is strongly discouraged, and the prohibition of harm against children and animals contradicts reputed Satanic fondness for sacrifice (see Satanic Ritual Abuse), both of which are often erroneously associated with Satanists.
Criticisms of Satanism
The idea of worshipping Satan has predictably received a great deal of criticism from the major religions, although most has come from Christianity, in the form of both constructive debate and open hostility.
- The most fundamental criticism seems to be that Satanism is purely reactionary as a religion and philosophy, and as such can only be defined by its opposition to what is perceived as the hypocritical, stupid, tired, weak, boring, failings of mainstream philosophies and religions. It also draws its whole understanding of the meaning and nature of Satan or Satanic worship from the literature which it intends to oppose. Rev. D.R. Deinsen notes that Satanist writers of the internet sound like "enraged frustrated teenagers who need a target to pin their angst on and need one now.".
- Most Satanists identify with Satan as a rebellious force, however this presupposes the existence of a supreme being, authority and creator to rebel against. Once this recognition has been made, so it is argued, one can only continue to give deferrence to the rebel deity by a conscious act of falsehood on the part of the will. The traditional Christian argument against self-worship centres on the irrefutible fact that we cannot prove ourselves resposible for our own existence, while we may enrich or impoverish our lives through choices made, it all ultimately dies not originate with ourselves.
- Christian theologians argue that it is impossible for a human being to indulge completely in Satanic evil: All human evil is a corrupted attempt to do something good (eg. to further the gratification or security of one's ownself, even if this is at the expense of other selves). Even a hedonist attempts to seek that recognised as good, if only for himself. However, pain, confusion, isolation and disappointment results when this attempt is not in accord with the laws of God and hence the laws of the universe (i.e. a vice or sin)
- Satanism is “philosophy light” and “rhetoric heavy.” Anton LaVey’s greatest skill is said to have been that of a rhetorician. Satanism, so it is argued, proves to be an intellectually shallow glamourisation of human divinity.
- The argument that "People need people". Satanism misunderstands independence, while individuals may in fact have much more power and potential than most ever acknowledge or realize, no one is independently a god or independently powerful. One can only attain power if other people give it to you. This is not purely in terms of their usefulness, people need the support and care of others. Babies will die if they receive no loving affection, and so the argument goes, adults are no different. We all depend on others if we are going to be healthy and productive. Making independent claims of divinity, while it may produce a good feeling, engorges one's ego, and has some self-empowering results, leads to a denial of that reality.
Non-Satanic Sects
There are many groups which are commonly misconceived as Satanic. There are two common definitions of a Satanic religion:
- Any religion that consciously recognizes and worships "Satan," usually referring either to a "dark" deity (similar to the Christian Satan, though usually lacking the evil or unnaturalness associated with it) or a conceptual Satan, often referring to a so-called "true" nature of Mankind.
- Some religions that do not follow the Christian religion or recognize Jesus as explained in the Christian creeds.
The second definition is most commonly used by fundamentalist Christians, and is the source of much disagreement about whether a religion should be considered Satanic or not. The most common targets of these claims are Neo-Pagan religions, such as Wicca and Ásatrú.
Occasionally, some Christian denominations or even Judaism and Islam are referred to as Satanic, based on interpretations of the second definition. Among these Christian groups are usually the less traditional ones, such as the Mormons and other smaller sects. Also, it is not unheard of for Catholics to refer to Protestants as Satanic, and vice versa, though this is more uncommon.
Another movement which is wrongly associated with Satan is the heavy rock and metal music bands. Although there are some music groups that intentionally use Satanic imagery for one reason or another, the vast majority of metal/rock bands have no connection to any sort of Satanic philosophy.
See also
- Baphomet
- Church of Satan
- Conspiracy Theories
- Demonic hierarchy
- Demonolatry
- Devil
- Left-Hand Path
- Leviathan
- List of Satanists
- List of Luciferians
- List of religious topics
- Luciferianism
- Pentagram
- Sabbath (witchcraft)
External links
- The Church of Satan
- The Sinagogue of Satan
- Moribund Cult
- The Temple of Set
- The Misanthropic Luciferian Order
- The Embassy of Satan
- Satanic Reds - Social Realists
- Satanism: Description, Philosophies and Justification of Satanism
- Satan & Evil Spirits according to Quran
- Theistic/religious Satanist groups and resources
- Luciferian Gnosis
- The Order of Nine Angles
- Islamic Concept of Satan with reference to Quran
- Islamic Concept of Satan compared with Judaism and Christianity
- The Norwegian Satanic Society
- The Norwegian Satanic Temple
- Ordo Illuminatorum - The Order of Illumination
| Forms of Satanism | Edit |
|---|---|
| Traditional Satanism | Modern Satanism | Religious Satanism | |