Secular Satanism
Secular Satanism is a loose term describing the ideologies of those who call themselves satanists while not believing in a literal Satan; they instead embrace a fictional Satan as a symbol of defiance against Abrahamic religions.
This article is primarily about the ideologies of Anton LaVey's Church of Satan and
The Satanic Temple, as they are the largest organisations in the movement. However, many smaller organisations with varying ideology and relevance within the movement have come and gone as well.
Beliefs
In general, Secular Satanism is a term applied to ideologies and pseudo-religious secular or atheist movements that claim the a symbol of "Satan" primarily as a way of defiance against abrahamic religions, particularly
Christianity, without actually believing that such a being exists. They also however connect certain values to this symbol of Satan, these usually being primarily based in freedom and individuality, such as how Satan was portrayed in "Paradise lost".
Variants
The Satanic Temple
The Satanic Temple (TST) encourages benevolence and empathy among all people,
rejection of tyrannical authority, application of practical common sense,
opposing injustice, and to undertake noble pursuits.
The Satanic Temple has publicly confronted christian and "hate" groups, fought for the abolition of corporal punishment in public schools, applied for equal representation when religious installations are placed on public property, provided religious exemption and legal protection against laws that unscientifically restrict people's
reproductive autonomy, exposed harmful pseudo-scientific practitioners in mental health care, organized clubs alongside other religious after-school clubs in schools besieged by proselytizing organizations,[2] and engaged in other advocacy in accordance with their tenets.
The TST organization has been criticized for not always abiding by its own tenets and exploiting those it claims to help,[3] as well as allegedly engaging in racism; most frequently criticized however, is the organization's litigiousness, as the organization goes before court for many occasions, including the silencing of former members and critics.[4]
Despite the critiques of the organisation however, its tenets and ideology should be judged, and can be adopted, on their own and independently of the organization.
Seven Fundamental Tenets
I. One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason.
II. The struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions.
III. One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone.
IV. The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo one's own.
V. Beliefs should conform to one's best scientific understanding of the world. One should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit one's beliefs.
VI. People are fallible. If one makes a mistake, one should do one's best to rectify it and resolve any harm that might have been caused.
VII. Every tenet is a guiding principle designed to inspire nobility in action and thought. The spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written or spoken word.[5]
Church of Satan 
LeVeyan Satanism is mainly focused on being contradictory to Abrahamic religions, especially Christianity. In general, LaVeyan Satanism advocates doing whatever makes one happy, as long as it does not infringe upon the rights of other people. LaVey twists The Golden rule "do unto to others as they do to you". Satanism advocates participating in the Seven Deadly Sins for, on the basis that they all lead to personal pleasure. Selfishness is also advocated by LaVeyan Satanism, which states that doing something to help another will in turn make one happy.
LaVeyan Satanism also advocates favorable treatment to those who treat one kindly, and poor treatment of those who treat one badly, essentially "Do unto others as they do unto you." In general, LaVeyan Satanism opposes hurting others, and suggests placing a symbolic "curse" those who do. LaVeyan Satanism opposes hurting or killing animals(except for defense or food) or children, as they are pure carnal beings and considered to be sacred. LaVeyan Satanism opposes suicide, but support volutary euthanasia(in extreme cases).
LeVeyan Satanism is described by its founder as "just Ayn Rand's philosophy with ceremony and ritual added".
The Nine Satanic Statements
I. Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence!
II. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams!
III. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit!
IV. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates!
V.Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek!
VI. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires!
VII. Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his “divine spiritual and intellectual development,” has become the most vicious animal of all!
VIII. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification!
IX. Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as He has kept it in business all these years!
The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth:
- Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.
- Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure they want to hear them.
- When in another's home, show them respect or else do not go there.
- If a guest in your home annoys you, treat them cruelly and without mercy.
- Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal.
- Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the other person and they cry out to be relieved.
- Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained.
- Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself.
- Do not harm little children.
- Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food.
- When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.
Pentagonal Revisionism
I. Stratification
II. Strict Taxation on all Churches
III. No tolerance for religious beliefs secularized and incorporated into law and order issues
IV. Development and production of artificial human companions
V. The opportunity for anyone to live within a total environment of his or her choice, with mandatory adherence to the aesthetic and behavioral standards of same
Rituals
Anton LaVey outlined three basic principles in The Satanic Bible:
1: Compassion - For yourself and others
2: Lust - release sexual urges
3: Destruction - Cleanse oneself of anger
Greater and Lesser magic
Within LeVayan Satanism, Greater and Lesser Magic are rituals meant as physiocratic catharsis.
Greater Magic is primarily focused on achieving psychodramatic catharsis. It focuses on channeling emotions and intentions to create significant changes in one's life or environment. Greater magic rituals involved serve to concentrate emotional energy, allowing practitioners to harness this energy for specific goals or desires. Chanting, dancing, and other forms of expression to enhance the effectiveness of Greater Magic rituals.
Lesser Magic is manipulation through applied psychology. It involves using charm, persuasion, and social skills to influence others and situations directly. Lesser Magic is often referred to as "every day" or "situational" magic. It focuses on immediate effects in social interactions rather than broader ritualistic outcomes. Lesser Magic uses body language, scent, color, and psychological tactics to attract attention and manipulate perceptions in practice. In 1971, Anton LaVey wrote 'The Satanic Witch' which expanded the concept of Lesser Magic.
Black Shamanism 
Black Shamanism specifically opposed to Yellow Shamanism, a Buddhistic version of Shamanism. Black Shamanism has an emphases on communicating with evil spirits, conversing with the spirits of the dead, transforming into animals, and entering trances.
Personality
Secular Satanism is an atheist who (typically) was raised Christian. They are familiar with Abrahamic theology and view Satan as the sympathetic character, not God. The vast majority of the time they act either like an edgelord or a petulant child, especially around Christian ideologies.
How to Draw
- Draw a Ball.
- Fill it with Black.
- Draw a White pentagram symbol in the center of its body.
- Add a brown headband with horns atop its head.
- Add the eyes and you're done!
Relations
Friends
Total Liberationism (TST) - One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason.
Progressivism (TST) - The struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions.
Civil Libertarianism (TST) - One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone.
Anti-Authoritarianism (TST) - The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo one's own.
Scientocracy (TST) - Beliefs should conform to one's best scientific understanding of the world. One should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit one's beliefs.
Reformism (TST) - People are fallible. If one makes a mistake, one should do one's best to rectify it and resolve any harm that might have been caused.
Anarcho-Egoism - Do what thou wilt.
Objectivism (CoS) - Mother, we love you! Our ethics are basically yours.
Secularism - We both agree that religion is harmful towards society, removing it from culture is far more humane.
Anarcho-Nihilism - Many more anarchistic versions of me are similar to you.
Matriarchy (CoS) - "Women are the dominant sex, with or without Feminist validation. The difference between liberated and non-liberated women is that liberated women are enslaved by homosexual men" - Anton LaVey
Satirism - Yep, we don't literally worship Satan. Most of the time it's just for laughs
Zionism - (CoS) - "The first time I read the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, my instinctive reaction was, so what's wrong with THAT?" - Anton LaVey
Frenemies
Satanic Theocracy - Wow dude, that's some sick cosplay--- wait, you actually worship Satan?! What the hell?!
State Atheism - We both agree that religion is harmful to society, but, doesn't this goes too far?
Eugenicism and
Social Darwinism - Yeah, about that...
Nazism - Our relationship is extremely complicated, TST and JoSM completely contradict on you
Feminism - Fights against religious Patriarchal structures, but LaVey thinks women are the 'dominant gender'.
Marxism-Leninism - Historically a secular movement, but Communism contradicts LaVey's philosophy of individualism.
Enemies
Christian Theocracy - I'M NOT GOING TO CHURCH DAD AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!!!
Catholic Theocracy - OH MY SATAN IT'S LITERALLY TISO AND PAVELIĆ!
Orthodox Theocracy - Literally Ilyin and Codreanu!
Protestant Theocracy - Literally David Duke and Alfred Rosenberg!
Theodemocracy - Literally Warren Jeffs!
Wait, you think Jesus and Lucifer are brothers‽1
Positive Christianity,
Christian Fascism and
Legionarism - See, I told you.
Confessionalism - F*CK YOU'RE LITERALLY THE EXACT SAME AS THE ABOVE!!!
Counter-Enlightenment - LITERALLY TORQUEMADA!
Islamic Theocracy - Literally Osama and Amin al-Husseini!
Buddhist Theocracy - Literally the Tatmadaw!
Hindu Theocracy and
Hindutva - Literally Savarkar and Godse!
Sikh Theocracy- Literally Bhindranwale!
State Shinto - Literally Tojo and Matsui!
Jewish Theocracy - Literally Meir Kahane and Baruch Goldstein!
Conservatism - Lol, no. We don't actually worship Satan.
Paleoconservatism - Between the two of us, you're the only one who believes in the Devil.
Francoism and
Salazarism - You and your likes make me wish that Hell actually existed!
Putinism - Same with you. By the way, how is the "desatanisation" of Ukraine going for ya?
Kadyrovism - Islamic version of the above, down to the "deshaitanization" babble.
Khomeinism - Ally of the last two and the proof why clergy should never be allowed to rule. Also, America is
"the Great Satan"? If only.
Jihadism and
Religious Zionism - You, along with
them, are the real reasons why there's no peace in the Middle East!
Reactionary Modernism - What century are you mentally living in?
Further Information
Literature
- by Anton Szandor LaVey (CoS)
- By Peter H. Gilmore (CoS)
The Satanic Temple Library
- Speak of the Devil: How The Satanic Temple is Changing the Way We Talk about Religion, by Joseph P. Laycock
- The Revolt of the Angels, by Anatole France
- The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined, by Steven Pinker
- The Little Book of Satanism: A Guide to Satanic History, Culture, and Wisdom, by La Carmina
- Romantic Satanism: Myth and the Historical Moment in Blake, Shelley and Byron, by Peter A. Schock
- The Satanic Epic, by Neil Forsyth
- Paradise Lost, by John Milton
- Etc.…
Wikipedia
Videos
Online Communities
- r/Satanism
The Satanic Temple
Church of Satan
Gallery
References
- ↑ Anton LaVey Flirted With Fascism and Eugenics
- ↑ https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/federal-court-orders-saucon-valley-school-district-to-allow-after-school-satan-club-to-meet-in-district-facilities
- ↑ https://medium.com/@SistersSatanic/mary-doe-speaks-her-story-the-satanic-temple-a-case-experience-e13e965127c6
- ↑ https://medium.com/@queersatanic/to-shame-the-devil-satanic-temples-lawsuit-against-ex-members-fails-again-d0f3827297d8
- ↑ https://thesatanictemple.com/pages/about-us