Satanism is a group of ideological and philosophical beliefs based on Satan. The contemporary religious practice of Satanism began with the founding of the Church of Satan in the mid-1960s by Anton LaVey. However, the nature of Satanism and the beliefs and practices of its followers vary considerably. Here are some key points about what Satanists believe:
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Devil worship: Most Satanists are not devil worshippers. They do not believe in the existence of Satan as a supernatural entity. Instead, Satan is a symbol of certain things that Satanists venerate, such as freedom, knowledge, fearlessness, power, and pleasure.
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Atheism: Many Satanists are atheists. They do not believe in any gods or supernatural beings.
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Individualism: The Church of Satan puts the individual at the center of the universe. Satanism is often associated with individual freedoms and personal responsibility.
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Social justice: Some Satanists are interested in community activism and social justice. They may use Satanism as a way to challenge traditional power structures and promote equality.
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Magic: Some Satanists believe in magic, which is manipulated through ritual. However, this is not a defining criterion of Satanism.
Its important to note that there are different types of Satanism, including theistic Satanism and atheistic Satanism. Theistic Satanists believe that Satan is an actual deity or force to revere or worship, while atheistic Satanists regard Satan as a symbol of certain human traits but not ontologically real.
