Definition For Satanism Essay Example For Students

Definition For Satanism Essay Definition For SatanismMost religions like Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam have well definedmeanings on exception is Satanism. Most people have their own definition forSatanism. Some people feel that non-Christian religions and all Christiandenominations other than their own are forms of Satanism. This would imply thatall Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems, and Jews. In fact at least 75% of the worldspopulation would be Satanists. Others feel that all religions other than Judaism or Christianity areinspired by Satan and thus are forms of Satanism. This would still leave thevast majority of people in the world being Satanists. Large numbers of people feel that a wide variety of unrelated, benignreligions (such as Santeria and other Caribbean religions, Druidism, New Age,Wicca, ect.) are forms of Satanism. Such definitions create great confusion. The following are recommendedterms and descriptions for four essentially unrelated religions that have beencalled Satanism. The first is Religious Satanism, This faith includes the recognition ofSatan either as a deity or as a principle. Three main denominations exist: theChurch of Satan, the Temple of Set, and the Church of Satanic Liberation. Othershort lived Satanic groups currently exist and have existed in the recent past. According to Statistic Canada, the 1991 census found 335 Canadians whoidentified themselves as Satanists. The actual Number is probably significantlylarger. A United States Department of the Army pamphlet #165-13 RELIGIOUSREQUIREMENTS AND PRACTICES OF CERTAIN SELECTED GROUPS A HANDBOOK FORCHAPLAINS (1978 April) estimated that there were 10 to 20 thousand members ofthe Church of Satan in the United States. Accurate data is impossible toestimate, since the largest group (The Church of Satan) does not release itsmembership totals. It is important to realize that the Satan they recognize has few if anypoint s of similarity with the Christian concept of Satan. The Satanistsconcept of Satan is pre-Christian, and derived from the Pagan image of power,virility, sexuality and sensuality. To most Satanists, Satan is a force ofnature, not a living quasi-deity. Their Satan has nothing to do with Hell,demons, pitchforks or profound evil. The image of Satanism spawned by Christianity is called Gothic Satanism. It is an imaginary and profoundly evil religion that was invented during thelate Middle Ages. Concepts included ritual killing of children, selling theirsoul to the devil, breaking crucifixes, conducting black masses, ect. It hasnever existed in the past, and does not exist today, except in the imaginationof the public. Another form of Satanism is Teen Satanism: A syncretistic religion whichis a blend of Religious Satanism, Gothic Satanism, ceremonial magick, and anyother useful sources of ritual that they can find. It is practiced byrebellious teenagers or young adults typically for a short interval. Theyprobably number in the tens or hundreds of thousands at any one time in NorthAmerica. An exact estimate is impossible to obtain, since they are totallydevoid of any central organization. They occasionally engage in minor criminalactivities such as vandalizing cemeteries and graffiti involving Satanic symbols. In rare instances, a few have been known to sacrifice animals. Other types of Satanism: Occasionally, serial murderers will claim tobe Satanists in order to justify their horrendous activities. Policeinvestigation reveals that they know little about the religion. A smallpercentage of child molesters will abuse children in a Satanic setting as ameans of controlling the victims. The molesters are not actual Satanists; theyare simply using the facade of Satanism to further their criminal acts. Someheavy metal rock bands pretend to be associated with Satanism. Their mainreason is to gain notoriety in order to sell more records. These tree forms ofquasi-Satanic groups will not be dealt with any further in this reportModern Satanism is generally (though mistakenly) regarded as a creationof Aleister Crowley (1875 1947). Aleister was in fact a very prominentceremonial magician who based his rituals largely upon Judeo-Christianprinciples. He was raised in a Plymouth Brethren family, but developed an earlydislike of organized Christianity. After universi ty, he joined the Order of theGolden Dawn, which practiced magick (ceremonial magic) based on: The Kaballah(or Cabbalahl), a Jewish mystical tradition, Rosicrucianism (a mystical blend ofalchemy, Hinduism, and Judaism), Free masonry ( a mens fraternal organization),and Theosophy (a Gnostic tradition believing in a common thread that links allreligions). the lottery EssayMore of El Veys theology contains the following concepts: Heaven andHell do not exist, Satan is unrelated to the modern concept of the Christiandevil. They look upon him as a god who represents the carnal, earthy, andmundane aspects of life, Satan is not a being, it is a force of nature, Ritualkilling is not allowed, blood drawn from a victim is useless, victims are killedsymbolically not actually; human life is held in sacred regard. The highest of all Satanic holidays is the birthday of the Satanist,Walpurgustnacht (April 30). Holidays of less importance are Halloween (October31), Solstices of June and December, and Equinoxes in March and September. Local groups of Satanists are usually called grottos or temples, Theycorrespond to Christian congregations and Wiccan covens. Their rituals do notinclude Black Mass (a parody of Roman Catholic sirvices) actually there are few,if any elements which ridicule or invert the beliefs or practices ofChristianity or of any other religion. As you may see, society and the Christian Church have made many believein the misconception that all Satanists are evil and the Satanic Church is avile organization bent on destroying Christianity and perverting the world, whenactually it is just a religion that, to a point practices religious toleration,and doesnt present a threat to you or anyone else. By doing this report, I would like to state that in no way do I condoneSatanism, nor am I a member of the Church of Satan. I just wanted to point outsome misconceptions that many have about Satanism, and I hope I didnt offendanyone by doing this report. Religion