User:Sticky Parkin/Theistic Satanism

Satan is prince of this world, the sinful world.

Diversity of viewpoints within Theistic Satanism
The internet has increased awareness of different views among Satanists, and led to more diverse groups, which has led the Church of Satan to assert their authority and legitimacy. But Satanism has always been a pluralistic and decentralised religion. Scholars outside Satanism have sought to study it by categorizing forms of it according to whether they are theistic or atheistic. It is generally a prerequisite to being considered a theistic Satanist that the Satanist accept a theological and metaphysical canon involving one or more God(s) who are either Satan in the strictest, Abrahamic sense, or a concept of Satan that incorporates gods from other religions (usually pre-Christian), such as Ahriman. Some Theistic Satanists believe in Satan as the All, a force filling the universe. The diversity of individual viewpoints within Theistic Satanism, while being a cause for intense debates within the religion, is also often seen as a reflection of Satan, who encourages individualism. Many Theistic Satanists believe their own individualized concept based on pieces of all these diverse views of Satan, according to their inclination and spiritual guidance, rather than only believe in one suggested interpretation.

A notable group that considered themselves to be Traditional Satanists was the Order of Nine Angles. Controversy meant this group were mentioned in the press and books, as they claimed to practice animal sacrifice and agreed with human sacrifice. They also had a right-wing philosophy that attracted notoriety. Similar political views are held by the Joy of Satan, who led to some resignations from the National Socialist Movement when prominent members were discovered to be involved with the Joy of Satan, to the extent of donations from both organizations when those individuals were involved in the NSM, being asked to be sent to the same post office box address and number. The JoS have some idiosycratic beliefs about spiritual entities being extra terrestrials, valuing the work of Zecharia Sitchin. A group with very different political views to the ONA is Satanic Reds, whose Satanism has a Communist element. (s today 240) However they are not Theistic Satanist in the manner of believing in Satan as a god with a personality, but believe in dark deism as does Diane Vera, the belief that Satan is a presence in nature. The First Church of Satan believe the philosophy propounded by Anton LaVey himself was deism or panentheism but is propounded as atheism by the leaders of the Church of Satan in order to distance themselves from what they see as pseudo-Satanists.

The Cathedral of the Black Goat are Traditional Satanists who follow the Satan of the Bible, but believe the Anti-Christ will succeed, bringing joy to the world and Satanists in particular. Those figures usually seen as good in the bible such as John the Baptist are seen as evil, and to have worked to ensure enslavement Hell is where most people will ultimately arrive, and it is not an unpleasant place. They also revere the Al-Jilwah of the Yezidi.

Some people who identify as Satanists also revere other entities, for instance other demons. Such demons may include those of grimoires such as the Grimorium Verum, or Goetia, or entities such as Lillith. They may believe each person has a guardian or patron demon. Contact with demons in Theistic Satanism is usually in a respectful manner, such as that in demonolatry, rather than commanding them. Luciferian groups such as the Church of Lucifer and the Children of the Black Rose are particularly inspired by Lucifer (from the Latin for "bearer of light"), who they may or may not equate with Satan. While some theologians believe the son of the dawn, Lucifer and other names were actually used to refer to contemporary political figures, such as a Babylonian King, rather than a single spiritual entity,  althouugh on the surface the bible explicitly refers to the King of Babylon, those that believe it refers to Satan infer that by implication it also applies to the fall of Satan. The Church of the Black Goat believe Satan and Lucifer are the same being in his light and dark aspects. Some writers equate the veneration of Set by the Temple of Set theistic Satanism, however the Temple of Set do not identify as Theistic Satanists. They believe the Egyptian deity Set is the real Dark Lord behind the name Satan, of whom Satan is just a caricature. Their practices primarily centre on self-development. In Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan's works, the Black Flame is the inner desires of an individual. Within the temple of Set, the Black Flame is the individual's god-like core which is a kindred spirit to Set, and they seek to develop. In Theistic Satanism, the Black Flame is knowledge which was given to humanity by Satan, who is a being independent of the Satanist himself and which he can dispense to the Satanist who seeks knowledge.

The diversity of views amongst Satanists, and the theistic nature of some Satanists, was seen in a survey in 1995. Some spoke of seeing Satan not as someone dangerous to those who seek or worship him, but as someone that could be approached as a friend. Some refer to him as Father,though some other Theistic Satanists consider that to be confused or excessively subservient. However, referring to Satan as his follower's father occurs in the Bible (John 8:44.) Satan is also portrayed as a father to his daughter, Sin, by Milton in Paradise Lost.

Some groups are mistaken by scholars for Theistic Satanists, such as the First Church of Satan. However, the founder of the FCoS considers what he calls "devil-worship" to often be a symptom of psychosis. Other groups such as the 600 Club, are accepting of all types of Satanist, as are the Sinagogue of Satan, an organisation that promotes freedom of religion, but aims for the ultimate destruction of religions and encourages not self-indulgence, but self-expression balanced by social responsibility.

Theistic Satanism often involves a religious commitment rather than being simply an occult practice based on dabbling or transient enjoyment of the rituals and magic involved. Practitioners may choose to perform a pact or self-dedication rite, although there are arguments over whether it is best to do this at the beginning of their time as a Theistic Satanist, or once they have been practicing for some time.