Could someone here define satanism?

Answer 1

Yes, but you could just as quickly look it up on, say, Wikipedia

Answer 2

Define Satanism

Answer 3

The religion that embraces as a part of its ceremonies the sacrificing of both animals and humans, the molesting of children, the rape of adolescent virgins, sexual promiscuity, and other such activities is called Satanism, or Devil worship. So bizarre, so apart from the norm, are the practices of Satanism that many officials and citizens alike refuse to believe that people do these things as part of their worship.

The cult of Satanism, which only a few years ago had a relatively small following, has become a growing, deadly menace.

Satanism boasts a membership made up of people from respected professions of the world, doctors, lawyers, businessmen, policemen, nuns, priests, housewives, and military personnel. However, with dramatic results, new members have been recruited from high schools and college campuses around the world.
It is the belief of Satan worshipers that the Devil rules the world. Furthermore, according to Robert J. Barry, writing in The National Sheriff, “when the end of the world comes, the forces of Lucifer will overpower the forces of God and Christ and will rule in heaven. Therefore, the Satanist pledges allegiance to the devil, not only for his assistance in this world, but in the world to come.”

Answer 4

Many Satanists say they don't believe in God or Satan, but that they worship themselves. That would make it hedonism, and in effect, atheism, since atheists basically do the same thing. Many Satanists will tell you they are atheists if you ask them. Satan they will tell you is merely a symbol of the "dark side of nature", symbolizing, lust, greed, etc. Some believe in magic, and some at least claim not to.

The view of most Christians (amd the generally public) is that Satanists worship Satan. And there are some Satanists who do believe Satan is a literal entity. The Temple of Set is might be one example. After the publication of the Satanic Bible, many Satanists began to realize the magic spells didn't work, and then tried started to say "Well, it's really a philosophy. It's humanism, yeah, that's the ticket!" 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?

Most rational people are frightend by people who do such things as these(Satanic Rituals/Lavey, yes I read it):

A 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).
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)

Or cannibalism (LaVey's "cannibal feast" of a human leg, Church of Satan/Barton(LaVey?), Secret Life of a Satanist/Barton (LaVey?), Satan Wants You/Lyons

You might want to ask "Why don't Satanists become Ayn Rand athiests and forget the wierd label and mystical nonsense? No one will ever take them seriously if they call themselves Satanists." But then they wouldn't have the shock value of being a Satanist that simply being an athiest wouldn't bring! No one's scared of athiests. Satanists occasionally do make the headlines for nefarious acts, however: http://usminc.org/crime.html Plus being a Satanist allows them to feel persecuted for a cause(the "Satanic Panic" media scare), much the Wiccans do about the "Burning Times". It's also a way to escape boredom.

The real question is why would anyone want to be a Satanist anyway? Anton LaVey couldn't make it work for him. He was a man who beat his wife, pimped out female followers, lied about all his accomplishments, practiced cannibalism on at least one occasion, and died bankrupt. He wasn't a philosopher/role model or a sorcerer.

Answer 5

Go to www.religioustolerance.org and look up satanism. They'll give a better explanation than anyone here can.

Answer 6

which kind of satanism?