Theistic Satanism


Theistic Satanism is the belief that Satan is a god or force, and the worship of him.[1] It is a kind of Satanism. It is different from Atheistic Satanism, which sees Satan only as a symbol.

Theistic Satanists do not all believe the same things. Many have their own ideas. They disagree with Anton LaVey, who said that Satan is only a symbol.[2][3] Both kinds of Satanists may believe in magic and use rituals. But Theistic Satanists also believe that Satan is real and pray to him.[4] Some say people in the past worshipped Satan in the same way, such as La Voisin, a French witch. Some even say they learned Satanism from their family.[5]

History

In history, many people were called Satanists when they only had unusual beliefs. Because of this, it is hard to know if people really worshipped Satan.[6] Paul Tuitean says that the idea of "reverse Christianity" was invented by the Inquisition.[7] George Bataille, however, says that a Black Mass may have existed before the witch trials.[8]

The poet John Milton was not a Theistic Satanist. But his poem Paradise Lost inspired many people who later admired Satan. The poet William Blake said that Milton was "of the Devil’s party without knowing it."[9]

Nikolas Schreck says that writers like Milton, Dante, Marlowe, and Goethe created the modern idea of Satan. He argues that these writers had a special "Luciferian vision" and a "diabolical consciousness" that shaped their works.[10]

References

  1. Partridge, Christopher Hugh (2004). The Re-enchantment of the West. pp. page 82. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  2. Sylvan, Robin (2002). Traces of the Spirit: The Religious Dimensions of Popular Music. pp. page 82. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. Satanism: The Feared Religion
  4. "Prayers to Satan". Archived from the original on 2019-04-15. Retrieved 2008-08-24.
  5. Lewis, James R. (2004). Controversial New Religions. Oxford University Press. pp. page 437. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  6. Behrendt, Stephen C. (1983). The Moment of Explosion: Blake and the Illustration of Milton. U of Nebraska Press. pp. page 437. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  7. Tuitean, Paul (1998). Pocket Guide to Wicca. The Crossing Press. pp. page 22. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  8. Battaille, George (1986). Erotism: Death and Sensuality. Translated by Dalwood, Mary. City Lights. pp. page 126. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  9. John Milton
  10. "Flowers From Hell: A Satanic Reader, edited by Nikolas Schreck". www.communistvampires.com. Retrieved 2024-01-04.

Further reading

  • Ellis, Bill, Raising the Devil: Satanism, New Religions and the Media (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2000).
  • Hertenstein, Mike; Jon Trott, Selling Satan: The Evangelical Media and the Mike Warnke Scandal (Chicago: Cornerstone, 1993).
  • Brown, Seth "Think you're the only one?" (Barnes & Noble Books 2004)
  • Medway, Gareth J., The Lure of the Sinister: The Unnatural History of Satanism (New York and London: New York University Press, 2001).
  • Michelet, Jules, Satanism and Witchcraft: A Study in Medieval Superstition (English translation of 1862 French work).
  • Palermo, George B.; Michele C. Del Re: Satanism: Psychiatric and Legal Views (American Series in Behavioral Science and Law) . Charles C Thomas Pub Ltd (November 1999)
  • Pike, Albert, Morals and Dogma (1871)
  • Richardson, James T.; Joel Best; David G. Bromley, The Satanism Scare (New York: Aldine de Gruyter, 1991).
  • Vera, Diane, Theistic Satanism: The new Satanisms of the era of the Internet
  • Zacharias, Gerhard (1980). The Satanic Cult. ISBN 0041330080. Translated from the German 'Satanskult und Schwarze Messe' by Christine Trollope.

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