RELIGIOUS Satanism? What's the reasoning?

Question

I understand that most people who identify as "Satanists" don't really have supernatural beliefs - it's more about ritual and their own philosophy.

There IS such a thing as RELIGIOUS SATANISM. I'm curious about the reasoning, why one would choose to worship the devil rather than God if you believe both exist.

You don't have to agree - but what do THEY say. What is the logic behind this?

Answer 1

What you're talking about is referred to as Theistic Satanism.

Theistic Satanists view Satan as a no-nonsense deity who is willing to donate his power to his followers in exchange for their worship and sacrifice. He does not grant favors or demand worship, except from those that follow him.


There are many approaches to Theistic Satanism, but most regard Satan as an ultimately good being, the bringer of knowledge. In this view, Satan does not believe that there are things that "man was not meant to know", and he happily helps humans achieve knowledge. Theistic Satanists occasionally compare the Serpent in the Garden of Eden to the Greek hero Prometheus. One convinced man to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, in defiance of God's rules. The other stole the secret of fire from the gods of Olympus, in order to give fire to man.

Many Theistic Satanists believe in the biblical depiction of Satan, but not all. Other commonly worshipped depictions include Set (an Egyptian snake god) and Azazel (a powerful entity from Hebrew tradition).

A very small minority of Theistic Satanists actually do conform to the generally held view of Satanism, worshipping the biblical version of Satan and opposing Christianity in all of its works. These people are properly termed "Diabolists" or "Devil-Worshippers", to distinguish them from the vast majority of Satanists who don't subscribe to this viewpoint. Devil-worship often incorporates powerful rebellious elements, especially rebellion against powerful religious organizations, like the Roman Catholic Church. Most Devil-worshippers are social outcasts who seek revenge on the institutions that they feel (rightly or wrongly) have harmed them.

Answer 2

I think that there are many lost souls out there who feel rejected in life.

The Satanic image is different and the group believing in such crap is fairly small. So I think that mostly the people who choose this kind of path a just sorry, lonely people who would be happy fitting in anywhere.

Power is dangerous thing and ultimately, when you are out of control, you seek power. Satan is a symbolic of power are argumentatively every bit as accepting as Christ -- perhaps more so. There are no limits and a person with such a lost mind and heart would find this appealing.

However, I wouldn't spend too much time thinking about this. I'm not sure where you even found evidence for such a group but it all sounds pretty hokey to me.

Answer 3

There are Satanists who believe the Devil is a real being (i.e., the Temple of Set, followers of Zarabanda/Qumbanda, the now defunct Cultus Satanas, and Mexican Diablatera to name a few).So-called "atheistic" LaVeyian Satanists have a tendacy to think they speak for all Satanists and claim no Satanists worship Satan, which is simply not true. LaVeyian Satanism is merely a personality cult, centered around a bankrupt, wife-beating pimp who died bankrupt. http://usminc.org/satanism

LaVey was somewhat enigmatic about his own belief about Satan. At times he described him as a symbol of mans desires, other times a force; the "darkside of nature", and other times even seemed to think he was a personification, often describing as "the man downstairs" according to Church of Satan defector Michael Aquino.

Psychologist Anthony Moriarty has treated numerous Adolescent Satanists (who tend to think of Satan as a literal being, thus most would be "religious satanists"). He has discovered they usually fall into four catagories : 1. The Psychopathic Deliquent 2. The Angry Misfit 3. The Pusedo-Intellectual and 4. The Suicidal Impulsive. It's something only people with a lot of troubles would try in the first place, obviously. These people are generally sour on life and think the Devil will help them achieve their goals. Many of them wind up in jail instead http://usminc.org/crime

Answer 4

One guy said that there are many attributes of God that have also been said of Satan. Here are a few that never will.....Prince of Peace....God of Wonders...he is faithful...he cannot tell a lie and satan can only tell lies. Big difference. I choose to worship the one true God. Satan is no more than a fallen angel kicked out of heaven because he got to big for his britches. His end is coming when that Eastern Sky splits. And all those who follow him are going to burn in torment for eternity. Seems like a simple answer to me......I would like to go to heaven and recieve my treasures and sit next to the king. Amazing.

Answer 5

That would be Traditional Satanism. The members of the Cathedral of the Black Goat believe in worshipping the devil. The members of the Church of Satan do not.

Answer 6

Ahaha!...it makes me laugh so when a person claiming to be a Satanist actually believes in a being called "Satan." Morons.
You'd have to be a Christian or Muslim to believe the devil exists in the first place...
Actual Satanism has nothing to do with "Satan."

Answer 7

What is the reasoning behind Christians who believe in Creationism and Evolution, what about religious groups who scream the loudest about how Halloween is Satanic then celebrate it with halloween "alternatives"?

Answer 8

I'm sorry, but your question is best answered as a question. Can you or any other reading this question name an attribute of the Christian God that Christians haven't attributed to Satan at one time or another?

Answer 9

It's probably along the lines of:

The biblical god exists, as does the devil. However, the acts of the biblical god are so vile, that he is not worth worshiping. Moreover, he is worth directly opposing

Answer 10

You are making false assumptions. I don't believe both exist. I believe "God" is a fictional entity and that mainstream religions believe in a lie, while Satan is the Creator of humanity.