Modern Satanism is probably the widest-spread of the Satanic denominations, and also the biggest bone of contention amongst the others. Modernists do not worship Satan as a god or deity; theistically, they are atheists. They believe in neither a god nor a devil, nor spirits and supernatural beings. Needless to say, it is usually not the Modernists who appear on Jerry Springer or get featured in the headlines of the local newspapers. The main argument over the Modernists is that, if they are in truth atheistic, why even bother using the name Satan? Why not just call yourself atheists or humanists or secular humanists, et al., instead of dragging in the name of a Christian boogeyman? Obviously I cant answer this for them, but the section Why Satan? on the Foundations page may shed some light on the various reasons which exist.
There are, as I see it, primarily three flavours of Modern Satanism: Naturalist, Psychologic, and Symbolic. They are not necessarily mutually exclusive:
The Naturalists view Satan as the natural force of the universe, the underlying current of nature. The power which makes trees grow, earthquakes shatter, stars form and die.all these, the raw energy of What Is, is Satan. As such it has no good or bad side in and of itself; it is everything. But, it is not intelligent or self-aware. Just like electricity or wind power, it exists without consciousness, but may be tapped by the conscious user (magician). This is the basis of Modern Satanic magick: that by training oneself to tap into this force Satan one may subtly warp reality into a form more advantageous to ones desires. However, it is not an external godhead or force which enables you to accomplish this; it is the force of your own willpower and emotions, exerting a draw on the Satan, attracting it to you so that you can mold it into a more suitable shape.
The Psychologic viewpoint centres around Satan as being the primordial side of the human psyche which the majority of humanity seeks to control and eliminate, instead of accepting and utilizing. The Freudian id, the Jungian shadow, the animal within these are perhaps the best parallels to the Satanic self which the Psychological view of Modern Satanism desires to seek out and liberate.
There is a great tendency by non-Satanists to reflect on this particular viewpoint and come to a conclusion that developing ones Satanic self is tantamount to reverting to childhood akin to an infants gimme gimme gimme mine mine mine outlook on life. While some may think this, it is my personal belief and the belief of most Satanists I have met that truly coming to terms with ones inner self, coming to terms with both the proper civilized part and the unruly animal part, is infinitely harder than shoving a piece of yourself in a closet and pretending that it does not exist.
The Symbolists view Satan as a mental/mythic archetype, as the Adversary or the Light-bringer. As such, the figure of Satan as an anthropomorphic being is completely fictional: he does not exist as such. However, the mental conception of the figure draws us to him. We identify with him, respect him, admire him, even as a fictional character. The archetype or mythic figure embodies a lot of what Symbolists consider important and good qualities. Some of them may include pride, independence, free-will, intelligence, knowledge, truthfulness, and ambition. The exact list will vary on who you ask. The qualities of the archetype may be draw from various sources, such as the Christian Bible, Miltons Paradise Lost, the Apocrypha, The Satanic Bible, and personal experience or thought. For some, the admirable qualities may include destruction, cruelty, hatred it truly depends on what the individual Satanist sees as desirable and undesirable, or as admirable and inadmirable. Again, he Symbolists do not worship Satan-Lucifer, or acknowledge his literal existence, but view him as a mythic figure much like Peter Pan, Uncle Sam, Zeus, or King Midas.
Finally, no discussion of Modern Satanism would be complete without discussing the LaVeyan Satanists (Church of Satan).
LaVeyan Satanism was founded in the 1960s by Anton Szandor LaVey. It is without a doubt the most well-known of the Satanic denominations, and is the only one (as far as I am aware) with federally recognized religious status. Officially, it is known as the Church of Satan, and is head quartered in San Francisco. Anton LaVey passed away in late October of 1997, at which time leadership of the Church passed into the hands of Blanche Barton (a long-time associate of LaVey). Although at one time Karla LaVey (LaVeys daughter) was participating as a co-High-Priestess, she has since split from the Church of Satan over ideological differences. She is now the acting High Priestess of the First Satanic Church (founded Oct 31st, 1999), which claims to be a resurgence of Satanic ideals closer to the spirit of her fathers original teachings.
Although it is true that Satanism existed before him, LaVey can be said to be (with relative authority) the father of Modern Satanism. Before LaVey went public with his new Church, and with his many works on Satanic philosophy (The Satanic Bible, The Satanic Rituals, The Devils Notebook), Satanism was an underground, disorganized, and chaotic religion. Since the formation of the Church of Satan, information has become much more readily available and people had, for the first time, a sense of Satanic identity and organization.
The core philosophy of the Church of Satan is that of indulgence; of living ones life to the utmost of intellectual and material/carnal fulfilment. This includes fulfilling all of ones desires, so long as it does not involve the unwilling (children and animals are classed as unwilling). If fulfilment of these desires comes from illegal actions, so be it but the Satanist must be prepared to pay for any actions which he or she performs (the doctrine of personal responsibility).
Lastly, we come to the point of semantics. LaVeyan Satanists generally contend that they are the real Satanists, and that without LaVey none of Modern Satanism would be possible, as it was LaVey who opened up the doors to Satanism in the 1960s. Satan-worshippers or Devil-worshippers, they tend to regard as foolish and trapped in Christian behavioural patterns (turning to a god or otherworldly force). Similarly, Traditionalists (those who worship Satan as a spiritual or divine being), tend to call the LaVeyans pseudo-Satanists or pretenders, claiming that they are just atheists who use the name Satanist for shock value and capitalistic gain.
Groups:
Related
Continued here:
Modern Satanism | Spiral Nature Magazine
- An Introduction to LaVeyan Satanism and the Church of Satan [Last Updated On: December 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 10th, 2016]
- Satanism - RationalWiki [Last Updated On: December 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2016]
- Modern Satanism: Anatomy of a Radical Subculture by Chris ... [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2017]
- Christians think 'the Rapture' is coming and the signs are already here - Metro [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- The Week in Art: Sarah Crowner at the Guggenheim's Wright Restaurant and Jake and Dinos Chapman in LA - artnet News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Unhinged 'Professor' Whose Hissy Fit at NYU Went Viral Turns Out to Be Lobster Porn Artist - PJ Media [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Russian Lawmaker Says Jews Once 'Boiled Us In Cauldrons' - Forward [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Female cultism in Nigerian universities and other dangerous cults - NAIJ.COM [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Weekly roundup of world briefs from JTA - Heritage Florida Jewish News [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Deconstructing Pagan religions - Daily News & Analysis [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Coming to America: The History of Mail-Order Brides - Utne Reader Online [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Zeal & Ardor Devil is Fine: Album Stream - The Independent [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Delusions of Antiquity - Splice Today [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- How Does the New Turkish Curriculum Look Like? Conservative Changes Dominate - PoliticalCritique.org [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Witchcraft is the new feminism - NME.com (blog) [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Modern Satanism | Prometheism.net - Part 2 [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- The Awolowo Legacy And Its Message For Nigerian Youths | The ... - The News [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- The Awolowo legacy and its message for Nigerian youths - Tribune - NIGERIAN TRIBUNE (press release) (blog) [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- 'Bible torching,' 'neo-satanic' college group planned 'lamb sacrifice' at Clemson University - TheBlaze.com [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- In literature and art from over 100 years ago, images of the cow as mother - The Indian Express [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2017]
- The Gallows Pole By Benjamin Myers: A Playlist - The Quietus [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- Modern Satanism | Prometheism.net [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2017]
- Catholic Priest: MN Park's New Monument Will Attract Satanists Who Want to Molest Kids - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2017]
- Understanding contemporary white supremacy: Is the alt-right really something new? - Salon [Last Updated On: June 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 11th, 2017]
- Witch Hunts, Resurgence and Defiance: Heavy Metal In The Middle East - The Quietus [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2017]
- The Alt-Right Is the Modern, Hideous Face of White Supremacy - AlterNet [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2017]
- Modern Satanism: Anatomy of a Radical Subculture - Chris ... [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2017]
- The Occult Roots of Modernism - The New Yorker [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2017]
- Paganism Is Back! Now What Are We Christians Going to Do? - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- Christians and Jews Combat Witches' Summer Solstice Satanic ... - CBN News [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2017]
- Ritual Skulls and Other Magical Objects, in Photos - Atlas Obscura [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2017]
- Outlast 2 Garishly Exploits Your Sexual Hangups For Horror - Paste Magazine [Last Updated On: June 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 24th, 2017]
- Satanism Making Comeback Through Witchcraft and Atheism: Rabbi - Breaking Israel News [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2017]
- Modern Satanism | Prometheism.net - Part 7 [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2017]
- Neo-Pagan Witchcraft vs Satanism [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2017]
- It's Time to Overanalyze the First American Horror Story: Cult Teaser - POPSUGAR [Last Updated On: July 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 22nd, 2017]
- Coltrain: Satanism and paganism are not the same thing - The Daily Iowan [Last Updated On: July 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 24th, 2017]
- How the Satanic Temple Became a Queer Haven - VICE [Last Updated On: July 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 24th, 2017]
- Kangaroo Court: Of Chief Lundu orders to ban ECG church | Malawi ... - Nyasa Times [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2017]
- 'Embrace ICT with caution' - The Herald [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2017]
- Nocturnes Mist announce Sept 15th release of "Diabolical Baptism" - The Gauntlet [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2017]
- Secular doctors are realizing that demonic possession is real, and needs special attention - Catholic Online [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2017]
- The Wild Hunt | Tag Archive | paranormal investigation - The Wild Hunt [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2017]
- Nottinghamshire sees increase in Witchcraft complaints | The Wild ... - The Wild Hunt [Last Updated On: August 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 12th, 2017]
- We Asked Diehard Swedish Metalheads What They Consider to be 'Metal' - Noisey [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2017]
- A Brief But Very Informative History of How Fascists Infiltrated Punk ... - Noisey [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2017]
- I'm a founder of the Satanic Temple. Don't blame Satan for white supremacy. - Washington Post [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2017]
- Satanic Leader Calls Upon Christian America to Face Their Contribution to Racist Right - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2017]
- The Devil's Cradle: The Story of Finnish Black Metal - The Gauntlet [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2017]
- Court orders new trial in satanic sacrificial murder case RT America - Standard Republic (press release) (blog) [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2017]
- Why Some Christians Are Calling White Supremacy 'Satanic' - HuffPost [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2017]
- Wash Post column cheers Satan, jeers Christians - WND.com [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2017]
- I'm a founder of the Satanic Temple. Don't blame Satan for white ... - Washington Post [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2017]
- Important Women of Satanism - Diane LaVey - Spiritual ... [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2018] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2018]
- Neo-vlkisch movements - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2018] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2018]
- The Origins Of Modern Zionism & Satanism ... [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2018] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2018]
- The Luciferian next door A modern face of satanism and ... [Last Updated On: February 27th, 2018] [Originally Added On: February 27th, 2018]
- Satanism | Hollywood Subliminals [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2018] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2018]
- F.A.Q. Fundamental Beliefs | churchofsatan.com [Last Updated On: June 2nd, 2018] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2018]
- Freemasonry: Midwife to an Occult Empire [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2018] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2018]
- Satanism | occult practice | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2018] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2018]
- o 9 a [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2018] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2018]
- Modern Paganism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2018] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2018]
- We are using witchcraft, Satanism and magic confesses ... [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2019]
- The Occult and Satanism in America - The American TFP [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2019] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2019]
- Theistic Satanism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2019]
- 40 Scariest Halloween Movies of All Time - Best Classic Horror Movies - Esquire [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2019]
- Are these the 20 scariest horror movies of all time? - TheSpec.com [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2019]
- Pagan Community Notes: Restricted access to Stonehenge during Solstice, Waverly Fitzgerald crosses, 44000-year-old cave painting, and more! - The Wild... [Last Updated On: December 21st, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2019]
- Catholic Exorcist Warns of Rise in 'Aggressive Satanism' Among Young People - Newsweek [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2019]
- The best movies of 2019 that you haven't seen - The Guardian [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2020]
- Grimmfest 2020: Screen Classic Horror Movies as Part of Their Horror Legends Season - ScreenAnarchy [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2020]
- A Modern Witch's Guide to Paris: Where to Find the Occult and Esoteric - Frenchly [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2020]
- Types of Satanism and Their Beliefs - learnreligions.com [Last Updated On: February 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 29th, 2020]
- Satanism - Founders, Philosophies & Branches - HISTORY [Last Updated On: February 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 29th, 2020]
- Adulting in the Beyond | Review of Extra Ordinary - Washington Examiner [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2020]
- The Satanic Temple Has The Best Response To The COVID-19 Pandemic Yet - HillReporter.com [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2020] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2020]
- The Evolution of Modern Satanism in the United States - Time [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2020] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2020]
- F.A.Q. Fundamental Beliefs | Church of Satan [Last Updated On: July 13th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 13th, 2020]
- Tar Heels stomped out the Phantoms; Scorpions next? - Elkin Jonesville Tribune [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2020]