What is Satanism?

[Gryffindork]

Can someone please tell me in full (or close as you can get) what satanism is?

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

I'll start off by saying Satanism has a very very long history, some will argue it existed prior to Christianity. Through its long history, there are many symbols and certain groups associate themselves with particular symbols (i.e. Sigil of Baphomet) or symbols are used in rituals and books (i.e. grimories).

Satanism is either the worship of Satan and demons as a polytheistic belief or a more philosophical belief. It's like Christianity in the sense there are different denominations, only for Satanism, some of these denominations are non-theistic, particularly Symbolic Satanism (i.e. LaVeyan Satanism and Temple of Set). The polytheistic beliefs involve various rituals, texts and purposes. Just to note, the Church of Satan initially was devoted to more theistic Satanism but now that name is more focused with non-theistic LaVeyan Satanism. Also, the Satanic Bible is not for polytheistic forms, it's for LaVeyan Satanism and there aren't scriptures, rather there are essays by experts in the area of Satanism, particularly by Anton Szandor LaVey (who is now deceased and LaVeyan Satanism is headed by High Priest Peter Gilmore). There are no sacrifices or self-harming rituals, that's complete bullshit fabricated by people who know nothing of Satanism. Some groups of theistic Satanism have extreme views, such as the group Joy of Satan use theistic Satanism to support neo-Nazi views. As you can guess, certain groups and sects of Satanism don't necessarily get along well with others. For example, some theistic Satanic groups do not associate themselves nor any of their members with LaVeyan Satanism or Joy of Satan.

There are also groups similar to Satanism, such as Luciferianism but they don't often consider themselves to be part of Satanism.

That's about the best answer I can give you, it's a vague answer but then again, it's a vague question.

[Sythan]

LaVeyan Satanism (Atheistic Satanism) uses Satan as a symbol, not as an actual Deity. Satan is a symbol of Freedom and is used to drive the LaVeyan Satanist towards his or hers goals. LaVeyan Satanism does not discriminate against anyone, and allows it's followers to live their lives how they choose, given they do not harm anyone or anything unless attacked or for food.

Spiritual Satanism (Theistic Satanism) sees Satan and his Demons (Daemons) as actual Deities and worship them. Most Spiritual Satanists reject the Christian belief that Satan is evil, they see Satan as a liberator of Humanity, failing to stop God from controlling us, but still fighting to this day. Much like LaVeyan Satanism, Spiritual Satanism is extremely personal to the practitioner. You are allowed to live your life the way you choose, again given you harm nothing.

[kostageas]

http://tinyurl.com/6h2oagm

^^ Pretty informative.