What is a satanist?

Answer 1

Satanism is a word which has been used over the years to describe a number of different belief systems in a number of contexts. People claiming to be Satanists—or outsiders claiming to describe Satanism—ascribe a wide variety of beliefs to this movement. These range from the literal worship of a malevolent spiritual being (Theistic Satanism); to a kind of subversive ritual performance stressing the mockery of Christian symbols (most notably the Black Mass); to the claimed rediscovery of an ancient but misunderstood religion (e.g. Setianism, which conflates Satan with the Egyptian god Set); to the exaltation of hedonistic recreation, and the celebration of selfishness and pleasure.

The most prominent and widely known Satanist in recent years is, and was Anton Szandor LaVey, who founded the Church of Satan in 1966. LaVey wrote The Satanic Bible (1969) and other works which remain highly influential (though controversial) among avowed Satanists. LaVey rejects the Black Mass, cruelty to animals, or a literal belief in (or worship of) Satan, instead considering Satan as the human instict within ourselves, which is what LaVeyan Satanism celebrates; the human instinct. Instead he supports a view of human beings as animals and rejects many social structures that inhibit our instincts.

Equally celebrated within Satanic circles (though not technically a Satanist) would be ritual magician Aleister Crowley, who referred to himself as "The Great Beast 666." Crowley's maxim, "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law!" captures a common Satanic attitude, which the myth of Satan's rebellion is thought to exemplify.

Much "Satanic" lore does not originate from actual Satanists, but from Christians. Best-known would be the medieval folklore and theology surrounding demons and witches. A more recent example is the so-called Satanic ritual abuse scare of the 1980's— beginning with the memoir Michelle Remembers--which depicts Satanism as a vast conspiracy of elites with a predilection for child-molesting and human sacrifice. This genre regularly describes Satan as actually appearing in person in order to receive worship.

Another prominent source of "Satanic" imagery is black metal or heavy metal music, which has given Satanism the "Hail Satan!" hand-sign. A few rock stars such as Marilyn Manson (alternative rock, industrial artist) appear to actually be bona fide Satanists; many others merely adopt a Satanic persona for the sake of romanticism.

Vandalism, cruelty to animals, or grave desecration are advanced by some as examples of Satanic crimes. While some high-profile cases of murder or serial murder have been found to have Satanic themes (e.g. the Manson Family), these appear to be primarily the work of disturbed individuals, or of several acting together, rather than of organized religious groups.

Many claims of Satanic child-molesting or murder rings have proven to be unsubstantiated. There was little evidence to support the allegations. Few people were convicted though there are now organized efforts to have the charges dropped.

Answer 2

From my understanding a Satanist is a person that either dedicates himself to the Religion/Philosophy of Satanism e.g. the Church of Satan or he is a Theist that worships the Devil. satanists normally do not believe Satan is an Angel created by Jehovah, they believe the Dark One is the God before all Gods. The master and creator of the universe.

I'm a skeptic when it come to the gods. I have no faith in them and believe that they are the creation of man, but i'm open minded so, it could be that gods were here before us, but how would we know?

Answer 3

ok, you have of course been listening to the Christians for somewhat too long... Satanists do not worship the devil. in any respect. They worship devil, yet of their faith devil ability potential, so rather the completed Satanism element is approximately self empowerment. not worshipping the devil or attempting to advance the ineffective or sacrificing cattle of any sort. Satanism is an atheist faith (an oxymoron, i be attentive to), and as such Satanists have not got self assurance in God or the devil, so as that they are able to't be against him. See what i'm asserting?!?!

Answer 4

Satanists would tell you Satanism is the "worship of the self". Most people who identify themselves as Satanists are the "LaVeyian" variety. Anton LaVey was a liar, fraud, bankrupt wife beating pimp. BTW, one idiot actually had the nerve to say "Everyone beat their wife in the fifties" when informed of this(even though he beat Diane from the 60's into the 80's). And no, not everyone did, and it was still wrong.This shows that rather than standing on their own two feet, Satanists slavishly make excuses for their cult figure, not unlike they way Scientologists do fo L. Ron Hubbard.

LaVey was approached by Avon books to wrote a book on witchcraft to cash in on the occult craze of the 1960's. He cobbled together "The Satanic Bible" from a forgotten right-wing political tract (Where of the material from the Book of Satan comes from), Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, and the superstitous occult material of John Dee.

LaVey never really seemed to know what Satanism was himself. Some of his writings seemed atheistic, at other times he called Satan "the dark side of nature" and often refers to Satan as a personification.

Eventually, people realized the spells didn't work, and so began the whole "Well, it's really a philosophy" excuse. In the 1980's, when LaVey was living in poverty he then claimed he was shunning consumer materialism ( a complete role reversal from "Indulgence instead of abstinence!") ala Pee Wee Herman's "I meant to do that!" But the Satanic Bible gives details for 3 spells, for revenge, sex, and getting Satan's compassion (!) It is quite specific about timing of rituals, instruments to be used, clothing, etc. It seems from this, LaVey was implying results could be achieved through magic. There is a chapter in the Satanic Bible called "On The Choice of Human Sacrifice" which Satanists claim means a victim is to be killed by a curse, not by actually murdering them. But therein lies a problem for the Satanists who don't believe in magic, because then how can they kill their victims with a curse?

LaVey claimed that nuts were given "the bum's rush" when trying to join the Church of Satan, but clearly nut was in the eye of the beholder. LaVey has admited to holding a "Cannibal feast" of a human leg in at least 3 books. The Satanic Bible & Satanic Rituals certainly describe many things most normal people would consider pychotic such as Nude girl is used as an altar (Satanic Bible, Satanic Rituals)A human skull is used in Die Elektrischen Vorspiele ritual (Satanic Rituals, p. 109)Human leg bone or arm bone is used in Homage to Tchort ritual (p.137)
Woman dressed as nun urinates before group into a bedpan in the Black Mass ritual (p.43) Urine is then sprinkled like holy water (p.44)Man climbs into coffin with nude woman (or nude man if he is gay) in Le Epais ritual (p.59).

As a "philosophy", Satanism could be boiled down to hedonism, which was hardly a new idea in the 1960's. Oddly enough, most Satanists don't fit the bill as swingers. Some seem to lead fairly uneventful lives. Here's an example:

"I've been forced to give up coffee - the acid was responsible for a minor ulcer and I can no longer take any chances with my health. This was my solitary vice - now it is gone. I do not drink, do not smoke, do not use recreational drugs and have nothing remotely resembling a sex life!"
--"Lord" Egan of "The First Church of Satan"

Wow! What a swinger! So then the picture begins to develop that Satanism is not so much a philosophy of life as it is a fantasy; a means to escape a life not worth living.

If you're seeking spiritual answers, you might try the non-fiction writings of C.S. Lewis instead.

Answer 5

a satanist is a person who follows the religion of satanism now there are two types of satanism there's the theistic version which views satan as a god and a force in the world and people who follow the theistic version of satan may pray to the satanic gods and satan himself on certain occasions now the second form of satanism is atheistic aka philosophical as they don't believe in an actual satan as satan is symbolic of man's carnal aka physical desires and nature and is more a form of self worship anyway here are a couple of links to help you out anyway neither form of satanism is anything like the way the hollywood movies portrays them out to be


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theistic_Satanism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaVeyan_Satanism

Answer 6

mostly it is an umbrella term for people who come together in a rebellious way against Christianity
most do not worship Satan in fact most do not even believe in Satan
they are humanists , they respect the earth and those on it , but will defend themself against others

Answer 7

A satanist is a person who likes to do evil and their love is of the world. God is good and Satan is evil. Satan does evil and horrible things to people and murderers and rapist and people like that might consider theirselves a satanist. Who worships Satan like people worship God.

Answer 8

Someone that forges their own destiny and essentially ignores God's commands in order to live their own lives. They don't necessarily worship Satan.

Answer 9

A person who worships Satan as Lord and Master rather than God.

Answer 10

Satanism:
1. The worship of Satan or the powers of evil.
2. A travesty of Christian rites in which Satan is worshiped.
3. Diabolical or satanic disposition, behavior, or activity.