wtf is satanism and where/how does it relate?

[Anonymous]

im not entierly a educated person on this matter....and i was wondering what satanism is, i know wicca is entirly different. but what is it? i know that in general, "satan" is just a figure the catholics invented to create a bad image for pagans. but then, what are satanists? are they just cristians who are uneducated and got angry at the world? why does the pentagram relate? its just representation of the elements and spirit; right?

[Anonymous]

Here's a link on Satanism:  http://www.dpjs.co.uk/ethics.html

[Lark]

The problem to start with is that you have to define what kind of Satanist you are talking about as there are a variety of them out there.

First of all there are the rebellious teenage variety who dress all in black, claim to worship Satan, desecrate graveyards and generally try to shock and irritate their parents.  Mostly this is a case of simply acting out and has nothing to do with real spiritual beliefs.

Then there are those mentally disturbed individuals who torture animals and sometimes other humans believing this is part of their religious requirements.  These are rather few in number...but they get the majority of the press.

Check this link for more information:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/satanis6.htm

Then we do get to the organized Satanic groups such as the Church of Satan and the Temple of Set.  

Member of the Church of Satan do not actually worship Satan..in fact they are more truly atheists who feel that humankind is the pinnacle of creation.  Their practices do not normally cause harm to others, but are rather aimed at self-gratification.

The Temple of Set does not worship Satan either..but rather the ancient Egyptian god, Set..who many centuries later became the Shaitan (or Satan) of Islam.

Information on the Church of Satan can be found at

http://www.religioustolerance.org/satanis1.htm

And finally there is a small religious community called the Yezidis who are part of the Kurdish communities of Iran/Iraq/Turkey.  They worship a being referred to as the Peacock Angel who is also Lucifer.  They are actually a fascinating group and you can find some information about them at the link below.

http://home.earthlink.net/~xristos/GoldenDawn/yezidi01.htm

The pentagram is a very old symbol within ceremonial magic.  In Wicca the pentagram has a single point pointing upwards to indicate our return to a higher state of being, or Spirit.  The Satanist uses an inverted pentacle with the single point downwards because they see this world and man as the highest form of creation. Sometimes a Satanic pentacle will have a goat-headed god named Baphomet superimposed upon the pentacle.

(Be aware though that some Traditions of Wicca use an inverted pentacle to represent someone who has reached 2nd Degree and is used to show that they are now sending their energies out into the greater community.  So just because someone has an inverted pentacle does not necessarily mean they are Satanists.)


Hope this helps,

-Lark-