Definition For Satanism
Most religions like Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam have well defined
meanings on exception is Satanism. Most people have their own definition for
Satanism.
Some people feel that non-Christian religions and all Christian
denominations other than their own are forms of Satanism. This would imply that
all Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems, and Jews. In fact at least 75% of the world's
population would be Satanists.
Others feel that all religions other than Judaism or Christianity are
inspired by Satan and thus are forms of Satanism. This would still leave the
vast majority of people in the world being Satanists.
Large numbers of people feel that a wide variety of unrelated, benign
religions (such as Santeria and other Caribbean religions, Druidism, New Age,
Wicca, etc
.) are forms of Satanism.
Such definitions create great confusion. The following are recommended
terms and descriptions for four essentially unrelated religions that have been
called Satanism.
The first is Religious Satanism, This faith includes the recognition of
Satan either as a deity or as a principle. Three main denominations exist: the
Church of Satan, the Temple of Set, and the Church of Satanic Liberation. Other
short lived Satanic groups currently exist and have existed in the recent past.
According to Statistic Canada, the 1991 census found 335 Canadians who
identified themselves as Satanists. The actual Number is probably significantly
larger. A United States Department of the Army pamphlet #165-13 "RELIGIOUS
REQUIREMENTS AND PRACTICES OF CERTAIN SELECTED GROUPS - A HANDBOOK FOR
CHAPLAINS" (1978 - April) estimated that there were 10 to 20 thousand members of
the Church of Satan in the United States. Accurate data is impossible to
estimate, since the largest group (The Church of Satan) does not release its
membership totals.
It is important to realize that the Satan they recognize has few if any
point s of similarity with the Christian concept of Satan.... [continues]
Most religions like Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam have well defined
meanings on exception is Satanism. Most people have their own definition for
Satanism.
Some people feel that non-Christian religions and all Christian
denominations other than their own are forms of Satanism. This would imply that
all Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems, and Jews. In fact at least 75% of the world's
population would be Satanists.
Others feel that all religions other than Judaism or Christianity are
inspired by Satan and thus are forms of Satanism. This would still leave the
vast majority of people in the world being Satanists.
Large numbers of people feel that a wide variety of unrelated, benign
religions (such as Santeria and other Caribbean religions, Druidism, New Age,
Wicca, etc
.) are forms of Satanism.
Such definitions create great confusion. The following are recommended
terms and descriptions for four essentially unrelated religions that have been
called Satanism.
The first is Religious Satanism, This faith includes the recognition of
Satan either as a deity or as a principle. Three main denominations exist: the
Church of Satan, the Temple of Set, and the Church of Satanic Liberation. Other
short lived Satanic groups currently exist and have existed in the recent past.
According to Statistic Canada, the 1991 census found 335 Canadians who
identified themselves as Satanists. The actual Number is probably significantly
larger. A United States Department of the Army pamphlet #165-13 "RELIGIOUS
REQUIREMENTS AND PRACTICES OF CERTAIN SELECTED GROUPS - A HANDBOOK FOR
CHAPLAINS" (1978 - April) estimated that there were 10 to 20 thousand members of
the Church of Satan in the United States. Accurate data is impossible to
estimate, since the largest group (The Church of Satan) does not release its
membership totals.
It is important to realize that the Satan they recognize has few if any
point s of similarity with the Christian concept of Satan.... [continues]
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