Satanism

Satanism is a religious, semi-religious and/or philosophical movement whose adherents recognize Satan as an archetype, pre-cosmic force, or some aspect of human nature. Although named for Satan, a name associated with evil and temptation, Satanism is more commonly the name given to certain spiritual paths which emphasize the Left-Hand Path, as opposed to the much more common Right-Hand Path. Left-Handers believe in spiritual enrichment through their own work on themselves, and that ultimately they are answerable only to themselves, while Right-Handers believe in spiritual enrichment through the dissolution or submission of the self to (or into) something greater. Many Satanists do not in fact worship a deity called Satan, or necessarily any other deity, nor do they follow a principle of evil. This aspect of their beliefs is very commonly misunderstood.

Related Topics:
Philosophical - Satan - Archetype - Human nature - Left-Hand Path - Right-Hand Path - Evil

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Instead of divine laws or naturistic principles (such as in wicca), Satanism generally focuses upon spiritual advancement of the self without requiring guidance from external higher beings or external principles, instead of submission to a deity or a set of moral codes. For this reason, many contemporary Satanists eschew traditional religious beliefs, attitudes and worship in favor of more egoistic, self-centering worldviews, natural law, survival of the fittest and practices such as materialism, individualism and magick. However, some Satanists do choose voluntary moral codes, e.g., the 9 Statements or 11 Laws of the LaVeyan Satanists.

Related Topics:
Wicca - Self - Deity - Moral code - Worship - Egoistic - Worldview - Natural law - Survival of the fittest - Materialism - Individualism - Magick - LaVeyan

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Satanic cults (so-called "Gothic Satanism"), the Satanism that Inquisition-era accusers believed was being practiced and which is closest to the common impression of Satanism, and involved tales of murder and baby-eating, is not known to be practiced in the world today in any formal sense.

Related Topics:
Satanic cults - Inquisition

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Modern, especially post-LaVeyan Satanic thought carries a strong current of inversionism; although a faith in its own right groups or individuals described in some sense or another as Satanic can largely, though incomprehensively, be described as belonging to one of two unofficial sub-groupings: Philosophical Satanism or Religious Satanism.

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