Satanism

The term Satanism refers to Devil worship, or the cult of the Devil, and often to the Church of Satan. Satanism is described as a structured system of satanic religion and consists of both philosophical and ideological views. It focuses on the respect or veneration of Satan and related characters, phenomena, symbols, and figures. Satan is commonly depicted as the chief of devils. The activities of Satanism include worship of Satan, satanic violence or destructiveness, and black magic. Certain rituals and symbols are specifically related to Satanism; however, activities such as palm reading, tarot cards, Wicca or witchcraft groups, and the practice of various forms of mysticism are not considered an integral part of Satanism.

Satanism has developed as an alternative to conventional religion in general and particularly to the Abrahamic religions, especially Christianity. Some see it as a protest religion. Satanism's aim is to influence all aspects of social and personal life. Christianity and Islam consider Satan (Shaitan in Arabic) as the adversary of their belief systems. According to these beliefs, Satan exploits the weaknesses and desires of human beings based on their goals. They argue that Satan has been attempting to cause human beings to stray from the approved paths. Thus, some believers of Abrahamic religions, particularly in Christianity, see Satan as an enemy of their faith. Within liberal Christianity, Satan is often understood figuratively or metaphorically.

The emergence of Satanism dates to the beginnings of the Common Era (CE) and the emergence of Christianity. During this time, the practices of Satanism appeared as witchcraft, the supernatural, and fortune-telling. Satanism was mainly related to supernatural beings, as Auguste Comte (1798–1857) explained in what he referred to as the theological stage in his theory of the law of three stages—(1) the theological, (2) the metaphysical, and (3) the positive—as they pertain to social [Page 614]development. Comte determined that at this stage, humans explained natural and social phenomena as the will of supernatural beings, who are visualized mythically. Today, however, Satanism is viewed as a new religio-philosophical stream representing an adversarial stance to all high human paradigms and values.

Early Christians commonly considered the pagan gods to be devils. The image of a horned demon, which emerged in the medieval period, is probably based on a number of pagan horned gods; there is no physical depiction of Satan in biblical texts. Although in pagan or religious traditions, both good and bad qualities and attributes are often found in combination in a particular god or goddess, the Judeo-Christian and Islamic traditions represent God as entirely good, while Satan, a creation of God, is a bad, or fallen, angel and the enemy of goodness. Satan and the activities of Satanism are seen as a threat to divine authority, and in turn, they have the potential to weaken the beliefs of the faithful.

In the late 20th century, Satanism, or at least its symbolism, underwent a revival in popularity and emerged as a new countercultural trend or fashion in Western countries. This phenomenon has been called “pop culture Satanism” or “adolescent Satanism.” Its followers cultivated an image, as popularized by some rock musicians (especially of heavy metal and its offshoots), of wearing black garments along with Satanic symbols and tattoos, as a means to express a rejection not only of Judeo-Christian and Islamic values but also the common values of mainstream secular society.

...