𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘮

3. - types of satanism

There are basically two forms of Satanism: theistic and non-theistic. And they are very different. Theistic Satanists believe that Satan is a real entity who is considered to be the true God. Theistic Satanists are individuals who are independent and self-determined people who are devoted to Satan as their personal deity. Some traditions of theistic Satanists include Luciferians and Setians.

Non-theistic Satanists think of Satan as an archetype that is not a supernatural entity, but a model for understanding values and their worldview. They tend to gather in groups to strengthen their individuality and focus on their personal goals. They do not worship Satan but are focused on their own desires and sense of self.
The largest Satanic group is the Church of Satan, founded by Anton Le Vey in 1966. It is of the second type, that is, non-theistic.
Another is the Satanic Temple, a political group based in Salem, Massachusetts. They are also non-theistic, and often use satire in promoting the separation of church and state.

Reactive Satanism
The term "reactive Satanism" or "adolescent Satanism" refers to groups of individuals who adopt the stories of mainstream religion but invert its value. Thus, Satan is still an evil god as defined in Christianity, but one to be worshiped rather than shunned and feared. In the 1980s, adolescent gangs combined inverted Christianity with romantic "gnostic" elements, inspired by black metal rock music and Christian scare propaganda, role-playing games and horror imagery, and engaging in petty crime.

In contrast, most modern "rationalistic and esoteric" Satanist groups are loosely organized with a set of moralities which explicitly focus on this world. Some may have a more transcendent, spiritual dimension that might include the possibility of an afterlife. Such groups tend to be more exclusively naturalistic, and all shun violence and criminal activities.

Rationalistic Satanism: The Church of Satan
In the 1960s, a highly secularized and atheistic type of Satanism arose under the direction of American author and occultist Anton Szandor LaVey. LaVey created the "Satanic Bible," which remains the most readily available text on the Satanic religion. He also formed The Church of Satan, which is by far the most well-known Satanic organization.

LaVeyan Satanism is atheistic. According to LaVey, neither God nor Satan are actual beings; the only "god" in LaVeyan Satanism is the Satanist himself. Instead, Satan is a symbol representing the qualities embraced by Satanists. Invoking the name of is a practical tool in Satanic ritual, placing one's focus and will upon those qualities.

In Rationalistic Satanism, extreme human emotion must be channeled and controlled rather than suppressed and shamed; this Satanism believes the seven "deadly sins" should be considered actions which lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification.

Satanism as defined by LaVey is a celebration of the self. It encourages people to seek their own truths, indulge in desires without fear of societal taboos, and perfect the self.

Theistic or Esoteric Satanism: Temple of Set (Setians)
In 1974, Michael Aquino, a member of the hierarchy of the Church of Satan, and Lilith Sinclair, a group leader ("grotto master") from New Jersey, broke away from the Church of Satan on philosophical grounds and formed the splinter group Temple of Set.

In the resulting theistic Satanism, practitioners recognize the existence of one or more supernatural beings. The major god, viewed as a father or older brother, is often called Satan, but some groups identify the leader as a version of the ancient Egyptian god Set. Set is a spiritual entity, based on the ancient Egyptian notion of xeper, translated as "self-improvement" or "self-creation."

Regardless of the being or beings in charge, none of them resemble the Christian Satan. Instead, they are beings which have the same general qualities as the symbolic Satan: sexuality, pleasure, strength, and rebellion against Western mores.