Misconceptions about Satanism :: Non-Christian Religions Satan

Misconceptions about SatanismMost religions like Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam collect well definedmeanings, one exception is Satanism. Most peck have their own definition forSatanism.Some people feel that non-Christian religions and all Christiandenominations other than their own atomic number 18 forms of Satanism. This would imply thatall Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems, and Jews. In accompaniment at least 75% of the worldspopulation would be Satanists.Others feel that all religions other than Judaism or Christianity areinspired by Satan and thus are forms of Satanism. This would still leave thevast majority of people in the world being Satanists.Large numbers of people feel that a wide transformation of unrelated, benignreligions (such as Santeria and other Caribbean religions, Druidism, New Age,Wicca, ect.) are forms of Satanism.Such definitions create great confusion. The following are recommendedterms and descriptions for four essentially unrelated religions that have beenc alled Satanism.The first is Religious Satanism, This faith includes the recognition ofSatan either as a deity or as a principle. Three main denominations make it theChurch of Satan, the Temple of Set, and the Church of Satanic Liberation. Othershort lived Satanic groups currently exist and have existed in the recent past.According to Statistic Canada, the 1991 census appoint 335 Canadians whoidentified themselves as Satanists. The actual Number is probably significantlylarger. A United States Department of the Army pamphlet 165-13 RELIGIOUSREQUIREMENTS AND PRACTICES OF CERTAIN SELECTED GROUPS - A vade mecum FORCHAPLAINS (1978 - April) estimated that there were 10 to 20 thousand members ofthe Church of Satan in the United States. Accurate data is impossible toestimate, since the largest group (The Church of Satan) does not sap itsmembership totals.It is important to realize that the Satan they recognize has few if anypoint s of similarity with the Christian concept of Satan. The Satanistsconcept of Satan is pre-Christian, and derived from the ethnical prototype of power,virility, sexuality and sensuality. To most Satanists, Satan is a force ofnature, not a living quasi-deity. Their Satan has nothing to do with Hell,demons, pitchforks or profound evil.The image of Satanism spawned by Christianity is called Gothic Satanism.It is an imaginary and profoundly evil religion that was invented during thelate Middle Ages. Concepts included ritual killing of children, selling theirsoul to the devil, shift crucifixes, conducting black masses, ect. It hasnever existed in the past, and does not exist today, except in the imaginationof the public.Another form of Satanism is Teen Satanism A syncretistical religion whichis a blend of Religious Satanism, Gothic Satanism, ceremonial magick, and any