govern point

Satanism is not easily defined, just like Wicca there are multiple kinds and it is personal. How Satanism is defined depends on what “division” of Satanism you are referring to and how they view Satan.  In contrast to other religions, Satanists themselves disagree on their very fundamental principles.  Unlike, other religions which may differ in opinion or conviction about interpretation of certain passages, Satanists in different sects argue whether there even is a Satan and whether they are worshiping him or themselves.

Ultimately, Satanism is a religion and a philosophy based on man as he really is: a carnal being free from the fiction that is spirituality and one who champions total responsibility, pragmatism, and the here-and-now.

Satanism has been referred to as an “unreligion” in the sense that it does not subscribe to the notion of some being who must be worshiped, its most common misconception.  Others may even say that Satanism is challenging popular notions of how ‘religion’ is defined, not content with the dictates of Judeo-Christian realities.

The varying views on Satan aside, much like other religions Satanism has faith in a construct which Satan embodies. Satan may or may not be a real, living entity, conscious or a physical thing that can be interacted with. It is a symbol, something ethereal, something that basically doesn’t exist except as an emotional attachment and personal dream. Just like Buddhists do not worship Buddha, Satanists hold up Satan as an ultimate principal rather than an object of literal worship. Satan inspires and provokes people, like all many religions the ultimate point is self-help, doing good and finding meaning. God believers have a different opinion on what Satan is, but their opinion is a result of their own personal choices and religion.

Satanists use the symbol of Satan as a representative of various philosophical ideas, social instincts, intellectual ideals and theological statements. Here is an introduction to all of these aspects of Satan. The best way to get an understanding of Satan is to read The Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey and “The Satanic Scriptures” by Peter Gilmore.  Below are the 9 Satanic Statements:

1. Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence!
2. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams!
3. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit!
4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates!
5. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek!
6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires!
7. Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his “divine spiritual and intellectual development,” has become the most vicious animal of all!
8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification!
9. Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as He has kept it in business all these years!

Satanism is also held by its followers to not be like Devil Worship. Satanism and devil worship are two distinctly different philosophies. Devil worship is the worship of an external deity, the Devil, and can easily be seen and be labeled the polar opposite of Christianity