What exactly is a satanist?

Question

My friend is now a satanist and I really dont know what to think. Do they really worship the devil?

Answer 1

It depends on whether or not your friend is a LaVeyan Satanist, a Spiritual Satanist, or a Theistic Satanist.

LaVeyan Satanists are atheists who base their lives around the philosophy of what Satan represents to them. Check out http://www.churchofsatan.com for more information.

I'm a Theistic Satanist, and both we and Spiritual Satanists view Satan as an actual deity, but there are differences. As a Theistic Satanist, I believe that Satan exists outside the realm of the Judeo-Christian religion, that he is one of many divine beings who we can learn from. He is not a being of pure evil, but encourages human progress, intelligence, knowledge and individuality. If you have more specific details, you are more than welcome to e-mail me.

If you want more information about Spiritual Satanism, visit http://www.joyofsatan.org

Answer 2

There are actually several "types" of Satanist. There is what are called "LaVeyan" Satanists who practice more of a philosophical way of life. There are also "spiritual" Satanists who worship what would be the equivalent to the Christian devil. They can also be termed as Diabolists or Baphomests......

This is different than other religions such as Wicca and other forms of Paganism as there are no equivalents to the Devil in those religions.

Answer 3

There are religious Satanists who do worship the devil but I think today the majority of Satanists don't actually literally believe in Satan. Satan is seen just a metaphor and seen as a rebel standing up to a repressive dictator God. Their philosophy is basically "do unto others as they do unto you". See link.

Answer 4

Others are right - Church of Satan Satanists believe that deity exists in themselves and there is nothing after death. Do unto others as they do to you. Don't turn the other cheek if you get smacked, smack them back.

Satanism is humanism. Self first, family and then expanding outwards. They really don't believe in a deity.

Devil worshipers are warped Christians who are rebelling against the church and christianity and do believe in the Christian concept of the devil and work to do evil for his name. These are usually messed up teenagers striving to be different.

Answer 5

There aren't many people out there who actually worship the devil. Most people who call themselves satanists are the Church of Satan variety -- it's essentially self-worship. Satanists see Satan as a symbol for earthly pleasure. Search the internets -- the Church of Satan has a website. It's actually pretty interesting stuff.

Answer 6

I have always been interested in religions. I always wanted to talk to a Theistic Satanist..one that believed that Satan was a living entity..The only ones I have heard from are very scary. The non theistic ones just seem to be out to "party".

Answer 7

Aleister Crowley, In 1905, in Los Angeles, California, organized a Satanism group named “Ordo Templi Orientis.” In his Book of Law, he advocated the religious belief: “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole law.” Crowley wrote: “For nearly all purposes human sacrifice is the best, and a male child of perfect innocence and high intelligence is the most satisfactory and suitable victim.” He spent time in an insane asylum, and reportedly died a heroin addict in a house in England.

The Mexican city of Matamoros, near the Texas border, Time magazine reported:

“To ingratiate themselves with the devil, the killers boiled the brains and hearts of their victims, mixing the concoction with leg and arm bones and animal heads. So vicious were the devil worshipers that it took two pathologists . . . almost four days to complete the autopsies.”

The Devil worshipers believed they would receive protection from their god by appeasing him with human sacrifices. A police lieutenant said that the killers prayed to the devil “so the police would not arrest them, so bullets would not kill them and so they could make more money.”

Yes, devil worshippers really do worship the devil.

Answer 8

I saw a special on them on the History Channel once. The Satan worshipping part is just theatrics. What they really seem to be into is "do it if it feels good."

Answer 9

Anton LaVey has as much credibility as The Amazing Kreskin.

Answer 10

Yeah. I think Satanist are people who worship the devil and just do what they want and trallala because they believe it is a "free" world. And a bunch of other stuff that doesnt make sense. Thats what my former friend told me.