Definition of satanism Satanism

/sejˈtʌnɪˌzʌm/ - [seytunizum] - Sa•tan•ism

We found 8 definitions of satanism from 5 different sources.

What does satanism mean?

Noun
satanism - a belief in and reverence for devils (especially Satan)
		diabolism, demonism, Satanism
		black art, black magic, sorcery, necromancy the belief in magical spells that harness occult forces or evil spirits to produce unnatural effects in the world

= synonym
= antonym
= related word

satanism (Noun)
Worship of Satan usually synonymous with "the Devil".
satanism (Noun)
Any religion seen as either non- Christian or anti-Christian.
satanism (Noun)
A profession, philosophy, or ideological construct featuring a positive, admirable, or useful association to the figure, character or entity known as 'Satan'.
satanism (Noun)
The religion of the of Church of Satan , founded in 1966 by Szandor Anton Szandor LaVey , which characterizes human instincts and desires as "Satan" and urges capitulation to such instincts and desires; also called LaVeyan Satanism .

satanism (n.)
The evil and malicious disposition of Satan; a diabolical spirit.

Satanism is a word for several religions or philosophies.

Sometimes the word Satanism is just used to say that the person using it does not like a group, but the group themselves do not think of themselves as Satanists. Used like this, it is just used to say the speaker disapproves of a group. A lot of groups, like Pagans, or even Protestants have in the past been called Satanists by some people.

The word is often used by people who don't know much about or do not like Satanists, who think that Satanism means worshipping an evil god called Satan, and that Satanists want him to win in a war against good represented by "God". This is not true of most Satanists. For them Satan is only a symbol for the freedom to be themselves. These people like the writings of Anton LaVey and are sometimes called LaVeyan Satanists. There are several modern Satanic groups of different types, but the most well known is the Church of Satan created in 1966 by Anton LaVey who also wrote The Satanic Bible.

Other types of Satanist do worship Satan. They are called theistic or traditional Satanists, because they believe their religion is older. They think their religion is similar to that written about in books from the Witch trials in Early Modern Europe. People may believe these Satanists are criminals, but that is hardly ever true, they just feel a calling to worship Satan.