Atheistic satanism: Difference between revisions
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[[Atheistic satanism]] is an umbrella term for a group of quasi-religious atheistic movements whose adherents identify themselves as "Satanists." The two largest organizations for atheistic satanism are the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Satan Church of Satan] (CoS) and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Temple The Satanic Temple] (TST), which have a rivalry with each other. | [[Atheistic satanism]] or '''atheosatanism''' is an umbrella term for a group of quasi-religious atheistic movements whose adherents identify themselves as "Satanists." The two largest organizations for atheistic satanism are the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Satan Church of Satan] (CoS) and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Temple The Satanic Temple] (TST), which have a rivalry with each other. | ||
Atheistic satanists do not believe in the existence of [[Satanael]] or any other [[spirit]]. They usually hold to some basic Satanic values with [[theistic Satanism|theistic Satanists]], such as striving for self-love, knowledge, pride, pleasure, and freedom. Most of their symbolism is derived from theistic Satanism, other forms of occultism, or Christianity. | |||
The best-known symbol used by atheistic satanists is [[Baphomet]]. The head of Baphomet is commonly combined with the [[Pentagram#Inverted|inverted pentagram]]; such a combination is found in the official logos of both the Church of Satan and The Satanic Temple, as well as numerous smaller atheosatanist organizations. Baphomet is commonly seen in atheosatanist artwork; its use by theistic Satanists is rare in comparison. Depictions of Baphomet are not to be confused with those of [[Azazel]] in a goat-like form — unlike Azazel, Baphomet bears a torch between its horns and is usually portrayed with breasts. | |||
== Types == | == Types == | ||
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=== LaVeyanism (Church of Satan) === | === LaVeyanism (Church of Satan) === | ||
The Church of Satan, the first atheistic organization to identify itself as "Satanist," was founded in 1966 by | The Church of Satan, the first atheistic organization to identify itself as "Satanist," was founded in 1966 by Anton LaVey. Thus, the adherents of its ideology are usually called LaVeyans by others. LaVeyans themselves, however, often identify only as "Satanists," since they believe their movement is the only one with a legitimate right to the word "Satanism." | ||
LaVeyanism is based primarily on ''The Satanic Bible'' by Anton LaVey. It presents Satan as a symbol of carnality, pride, individualism, self-interest, indulgence, and opposition to what LaVey viewed as hypocritical religious morality. | |||
The Church of Satan, unlike The Satanic Temple, is officially apolitical. Its value system promotes individualism, stratification, personal power, rational self-interest, and indulgence. LaVeyans often view social activism as a waste of time and energy. Most LaVeyans reject any association of egalitarianism or humanitarian aid with their movement. The Church of Satan sharply distinguishes itself from The Satanic Temple, and many LaVeyans harshly deride TST and any other organization identifying as Satanist. | |||
=== Romantic Satanism (The Satanic Temple) === | === Romantic Satanism (The Satanic Temple) === | ||
The Satanic Temple (TST) is a modern atheistic satanist organization primarily known for its political activism, highly publicized lawsuits, and use of Satanic symbolism as a form of protest. Its ideology is often called "Romantic Satanism," and it is inspired mostly by literature, such as John Milton's ''Paradise Lost'', that features Satan or Lucifer as symbolic figures who stand against tyranny, fight for liberty, or give freedom to mankind. | |||
In comparison to the Church of Satan, the Satanic Temple is much more Right Hand-aligned, and is often described as a secular humanist organization. Its activism centers on freedom of religion, bodily autonomy (especially the right to abortion), and the separation of church and state. Its Seven Tenets compel its members to highly value compassion, justice, science, ownership of their own bodies, and acceptance of human fallibility. The purpose of their tenets, as stated in the seventh one, is "to inspire nobility in action and thought." | |||
=== Smaller organizations === | |||
=== Independent atheistic satanists === | |||
A relatively small number of self-identified atheistic satanists are independent. Their personal belief and value systems are often eclectic, synthesized from multiple sources. Common inspirations for independent atheosatanists include both CoS and TST beliefs, [[Aleister Crowley]]'s writings and ideas, the work of various philosophers, anti-Christian symbolism derived from the [[Bible]], | |||
=== Views on theistic Satanism === | === Views on theistic Satanism === | ||
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== Legitimacy == | == Legitimacy == | ||
The [[Grigorist Temple of Satanael]] does not affirm that atheistic satanism belongs to a shared religious category with [[theistic Satanism]] and generally refers to theistic Satanism as simply "Satanism." [[Satano-Grigorism|Satano-Grigorists]] often write "atheistic satanism" with a lowercase 's' to indicate | The [[Grigorist Temple of Satanael]] does not affirm that atheistic satanism belongs to a shared religious category with [[theistic Satanism]] and generally refers to theistic Satanism as simply "Satanism." [[Satano-Grigorism|Satano-Grigorists]] often write "atheistic satanism" with a lowercase 's' to indicate that adherents of these movements follow the concept of opposition, as in the Hebrew common noun ''satan'', rather than the deity Satanael. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||