why is satanism called satanism?

Question

eh... i'm thinking just because Anton Szandor Levey probly liked to mess with people's minds... but i would like to know what you think :)

ok, to further detail the question, why is satan in the name

Answer 1

Shock value. People often call some one or some thing satanic as a word for pure evil.

LaVey probably just took Satanism to get public attention for his religion and himself.

Answer 2

"Satanism" is a term which has been used since the end of the Middle Ages 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 Satanism. At the same time there is no established, common sense of this word. These range from the obviously fanatiс sects to the groups of people in search of themselves; from the literal deistic worship of a spiritual being (Theistic Satanism) to the monography of the atheistic philosopher; from a subversive ritual performance stressing the mockery of Christian symbols (most notably the Black Mass) to denying all rituals; from the claimed rediscovery of an ancient but misunderstood religion (e.g. Setianism, associated with the Egyptian god Set who is conflated by some with the biblical Satan) to the exaltation of hedonistic recreation and the celebration of selfishness and pleasure.

:)

Answer 3

In this case, the term, "Satan," is a primarily used as a symbol, rather than for it's literal meaning. "Satan" stands for peoples' inner desires; things that they may want, but cannot receive under the guidelines of traditional God-worshipping faiths. This makes sense; one pigment of Satanism is indulging in happiness and pleasure, rather than abstaining.

Also, in the past, this was often impllied: "You are either with God, or you are against him." If you were against him, you were considered to be with Satan; that is, at least, how it was stereotyped. Therefore, by those means, the use of "Satan" in the title is somewhat accurate; LaVeyan Satanists are, in a way against God--or rather, against God's existence; we deny such a theory. However, followers do not worship Satan; that is simply an idea commonly brought out by society and mankind in general.

In addition, it may partially be this way to catch attention--one standard of Satanism is to not comply with the standards of society; saying, "I am a SATANIST," is an effective way in which one might gain attention.

Answer 4

A play on words, as already explained. It is also a recognized religion, not at all like the person above describes it. It is not a term anyone used to describe themselves until Anton began it. That is like saying people called themselves Wiccan's before Gardner wrote the books and created the religion...

Answer 5

forget approximately all those stupid solutions. 'Satanism' is a blanket term. whilst there are theocratic satanists, i.e. people who thought in 'devil' as their deity, historic conversing maximum of those situations have been fake or fabricated. inspite of the undeniable fact that, people who acutely do adhere to such ideals are actually not 'atheists' with the help of definition, in view that they thought in (and worship) devil or comparable a deity(s). extra those days, a extra moderen style of symbolic satanism has formed. a particular occasion is "LaVeyan Satanism" which emphasises that devil does not acutely 'exist' according to se, yet is a logo of human nature. subsequently, you're able to make the argument that one ought to be non secular and nonetheless carry the values of 'symbolic satanism'. So in brief, it is observed as "satanism" quite often because of ideals and symbolism, not inevitably via direct worship. ~Peace~ S.

Answer 6

Well I believe Satan is not a real person, but rather an evil force in the universe. The universe is comprised of evil and good forces, and by maintaining a balance between the two the universe is held together. However, Satan is still evil and one must beware of this specific force in the universe, as it can be your downfall. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

If you're talking about Church of Satan brand Satanism, LaVey based it on the devil because he saw his movement as being in opposition to Christianity and theistic religions in general. It makes sense, then, that he would choose the Adversary as his identifying symbol. That, and it's great marketing.

For the rest of us, it's called Satanism because we worship the devil.

Hail Satan,

Lazarus

Answer 8

Lets see...Jewish+Judaism, Catholic=Catholicism, Satanist=Satanism. Seems logical to me.

Answer 9

Satanish didn't sound right, and Satanianity was too hard to say.

Answer 10

A question from a little child who know nothing about things.
jtm