Satanism
Big Idea: Christ has triumphed over Satan, so Christians must recognize modern Satanism to effectively reach out to atheistic self-worshipers seeking fulfillment apart from God.
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Colossians 2:15)
Types of Satanism
Contemporary Satanism is a religious belief system that involves the worship of Satan. Satan can be seen as a supernatural being, a force, or even a representation of the self.1
Many Satanists, such as Anton Szandor LaVey, the founder of the Church of Satan, emphasize self-worship. They use "Satan" to represent their rejection of Christianity, which they see as self-sacrificing, degrading, and oppressive. These Satanists do not believe in the existence of any spiritual being; they believe in the power of the self. "We don’t worship Satan, we worship ourselves using the metaphorical representation of the qualities of Satan."2
Some Satanists believe in spiritual power and are interested in harnessing it for self-advancement. They are sometimes unsure of whether God or Satan exist, but use this spiritual power anyway.
Some Satanists believe in competing spiritual forces, whether personal (God vs. Satan) or impersonal (good vs. evil). They choose to use the negative spiritual force.
Some Satanists, usually self-proclaimed teenagers or troubled adults, acknowledge the Biblical portrayal of God and Satan but opt to follow Satan.
Key Facts
Some think millions of secret Satanists are part of a conspiracy reaching the highest levels of the church, government, law enforcement, and education. Such conspiracy theories are undocumented and sensationalistic.
Careful estimates suggest that there are fewer than 6,000 people who identify as Satanists worldwide.
The vast majority of Satanists are self-styled. They practice their faith alone or with a few others. Very few join a public Satanic church like LaVey’s Church of Satan or Aquino’s Temple Sect.
Mail-order catalogs and newsletters help connect Satanists, along with LaVey's books like The Satanic Bible and The Satanic Rituals.
Most Satanists are male, young (13-30), practice their faith privately while leading “normal” lives, and view other religions as narrow. Many see traditional ethical norms as restrictive to individual rights, leading them to practice Satanism, which they find more appealing.
Biblical Background
Satan is a fallen angel. He rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven with a great number of angels, and was sentenced to hell (Luke 10:18; 2 Peter 2:4). He is the prince of fallen angels (demons) (Matthew 12:24).
Satan can deceive, tempt, and accuse people with great skill (Genesis 3:1-5; John 8:44; Ephesians 2:2, 6:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 2:18, 3:5; Revelation 12:10). He is the adversary of God, the works of God, and the people of God (Zechariah 3:1; Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 4:15; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Peter 5:8).
As a finite being, he has far less power than almighty God (James 4:7; 1 John 4:4).
His final doom in the lake of fire is settled (2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 20:10).
History
Early Church (AD 100-400)
Those who desired to become members of the church were required to renounce the Devil and all his ways. Heretics were called “weeds of the devil” by Ignatius. Exorcisms were performed. Apparently, Satan-worship did not exist, although Christians believed that anyone who opposed God was serving the Devil.
Early Middle Ages (AD 400-1000)
During this period, the church condemned Islam as "devilish." Folklore emerged in society, portraying Satan as a foolish villain and sharing stories of ghosts, monsters, trolls, elves, and leprechauns. The church began to develop a theology of demonism.
Medieval Scholastic Period (AD 1000-1490)
Scholars began to grapple with issues of Satan and free will.
Great Witch Hunts (1490s – 1840s)
Some began to believe that demons had sexual relations with humans. Crusades took place to “free” the Holy Land from Muslim rule. Satanism and witchcraft were often mistaken for each other. In the early Reformation period, an intense period of witch-hunting began, leading to high rates of conviction and execution. This development flourished during the Enlightenment period. It is estimated that sixty to one hundred thousand witches were executed.
Modern Period
Aliester Crowley (1875-1947) was self-styled occultist, magician, drug addict, and sexual deviant. He taught the rejection of Christianity, the elevation of self, and the use of magic to reach one’s goals.
Gerald Gardner (1884-1964) developed a witchcraft system that blends aspects from different religious and magical traditions, such as ceremonial circles, altars, pentagrams, triangles, and incense.
Anton Szandor LaVey (1930-1997) was the High Priest of Satanism. In the 1950s, LaVey connected with those who wanted to reject conformity and religious oppression to embrace human potential. The Satanic creed was composed by LaVey.
The Satanic Creed
- Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence.
- Satan represents vital existence rather than spiritual pipe dreams.
- Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit.
- Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates.
- Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek.
- Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires.
- Satan represents man as just another animal–sometimes better, more often worse than those who walk on all fours–who, because of his “divine spiritual and intellectual development,” has become the most vicious animal of all.
- Satan represents all the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification.
- Satan has been the best friend the church has ever had, as he has kept it in business all these years.3
Misconceptions About Satanism
Satanism and witchcraft are not the same. Contemporary witchcraft is generally pacifistic, nature-worshiping, often vegetarian, and is forbidden in the Bible (Deuteronomy 18:9-14).
LaVey and the Church of Satan do not wish to form a structured Satanic system. They prohibit harming children, killing non-human animals except for food or self-defense, and making unwanted sexual advances.
Studies have failed to demonstrate any correlation between subliminal messages and listeners’ behaviors or beliefs.
No major American corporation has publicly supported or donated to Satanism or any Satanic group.
The most enduring myth is that the president of Proctor and Gamble appeared on the Phil Donahue television program and admitted he was a member of the Church of Satan and supported the church financially. There is not a shred of evidence for this, and Christians who propagate such stories damage the credibility of legitimate warnings regarding false belief.4
Crime Among Satanists
Satanists do not publicly advocate criminal activity. However, Satanists advocate antinomianism (freedom from the law). LaVey said, “When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.”
Drug dealing and drug use are common among teenage Satanists. Teenagers involved in Satanism have been known to commit suicide, or create suicide pacts. Some criminals use Satanic symbols or rituals in the commission of crimes.
Unsubstantiated stories of Satanic ritual abuse have become popular in the past decade. There is no proof of Satanic Ritual Abuse taking place on a wide scale.
Witnessing to Satanists
Remember that Satanism is not a traditional religion. Most Satanists are atheists. Focus on arguments for the existence of God, and challenge them to rationally define their own worldview.
If a Satanist acknowledges the existence of God, they may feel that they are beyond redemption. Remind them of the reality of Christ’s sacrifice.
Remember that among most self-taught teenage Satanists, Satanism is more a symptom of problems than a religious rejection of belief. Most teenage Satanists use drugs and need substance abuse intervention.
Satanists are interested in self-centeredness, self-indulgence, and self-gratification. Explain that Christianity is the only path to self-fulfillment (Matthew 6:33; 16:26).
Challenge their understanding of the Bible. Clarify for them what the Bible really teaches.
Don’t take offense at Satanists’ mockery and rejection of your beliefs.
Footnotes
1 Bob Passantino and Gretchan Passantino, When the Devil Dares Your Kids (Ann Arbor, Mich: Servant Books, 1991) 34.
2 Quoted by Blance Barton, The Secret Life of a Satanist: The Authorized Biography of Anton LaVey (Los Angeles: Feral House, 1990) 205.
3 Anton Szandor LaVey, The Satanic Bible (New York: Avon Books, 1969) 25.
4 Bob Passantino and Gretchen Passantino, Satanism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995) 50.
