Part of the seal of Lucifer from the Grimorium Verum, used as a symbol of Satan by some Theistic Satanists

Theistic Satanism, also known as Traditional Satanism, is the belief that Satan is an actual deity or force worthy of reverence or worship. The ' Grimorium Verum' (Latin for True Grimoire or The Grimoire of Truth) is a book on magic or Grimoire allegedly written by "Alibeck the Egyptian" Satan, ( Standard Hebrew Satan'el, English accuser) is a term that originates from the Abrahamic faiths, being traditionally See also List of deities A deity is a Postulated Preternatural or Supernatural Being, who is always ^[1] Within Theistic Satanism there are a wide variety of beliefs. Their concept of Satan is not based on the works of Anton Lavey, whose Satanism is not the worship of Satan but a form of individualism^[2] using Satan as a symbol of man living in accordance with his nature. Anton Szandor LaVey, (April 11 1930 &ndash October 24 1997 born Howard Stanton Levey, was the American Founder and High Priest of the ^[3] Both types of Satanist may believe in magic, and use ritual, but Theistic Satanists also believe in Satan as an independent agent and pray. Magic, sometimes known as sorcery, is a Conceptual system that asserts human ability to control the natural world (including events objects people and A ritual is a set of actions often thought to have Symbolic value the performance of which is usually prescribed by a Religion or by the Traditions ^[4] Theistic Satanists may consider their forebears to include figures such as La Voisin. Catherine Monvoisin, known as " La Voisin " (c 1640 &ndash February 22, 1680) French Sorceress, whose maiden name was Catherine Some Theistic Satanists claim to have been born into a generational or familial tradition of Satanism. ^[5].

Possible history of Theistic Satanism

Although little is known about Theistic Satanists in history, some Satanists, such as Tani Jantsang of "Satanic Reds", say they are a generational Satanist,^[6] and some members of Ordo Flammeus Serpens (OFS), a group that venerates demons, also say that they were trained by a traditional family sect, or are generational demonolators whose religion has been passed down through the family. ^[7] Claims such as these are unproven. ^[8] Theistic Satanists are inspired by incidences they see as evidence of previous followers of their faith. The concept of "Satan" may incorporate elements from older religions than Judaism. Ha-satan is the role of one of God's court, whose duties include testing the faith of humanity; the concept may be derived from a judicial function in Israeli court, similar to a prosecuting attorney. God is the principal or sole Deity in Religions and other belief systems that worship one deity. The prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the Common law Adversarial system, or the civil law ^[9] The Jewish Encyclopedia says that parts of the Old Testament where Satan is seen to act independently of God may have been influenced by Zoroastrianism. The Jewish Encyclopedia was an Encyclopedia originally published between 1901 and 1906 by Funk and Wagnalls. Zoroastrianism (ˌzɔroʊˈæstriəˌnɪzəm is the religion and philosophy based on the teachings ^[10] Anne Rice, while not a Satanist herself, equates Satan with Ahriman, the destructive spirit in Zoroastrianism,^[11] as does Nikolas Schreck. Anne Rice (born Howard Allen O'Brien on October 4, 1941) is a best-selling American Author of gothic and religious-themed "Ahriman" redirects here For other uses see Ahriman (disambiguation. Nikolas Schreck is an American-born writer musician film-maker and spiritual teacher whose work focuses on magic Mysticism, mythology and the macabre ^[12] The Joy of Satan, an anti-Semitic group, consider Satan to be Enki,^[13] though most other Satanists, including Diane Vera, do not believe this to be the case, and do not agree with the Joy of Satan's neo-Nazi views. Antisemitism (alternatively spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism; also rarely known as judeophobia) is the Prejudice against or hostility The term neo-Nazism refers to post- World War II Political movements Social movements and ideologies seeking to revive Nazism, ^[14] The Joy of Satan believes the Al-Jilwah of the Yezidi to be the words of Satan and considers Melek Taus to be Satan, ^[15] however this may be based on Muslim prejudices about the Yezidi which Anton LaVey assumed were true, and may not be a reflection of what the Yezidi believe. The Yazidi Book of Revelation ( Kitêba Cilwe in Kurdish) and the Yazidi Black Book ( Mishefa Reş in Kurdish) are the two principal The Yazidi (also Yezidi, Kurdish: ئزیدی or Êzidî, Arabic: يزيدي or ايزدي Assyrian/Syriac: ܓ̰ܠܟܝܐ is a Melek Taus, "The Peacock Angel " (in Arabic script ملك طاووس is the Yazidis name for the central figure of their faith A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion Anton Szandor LaVey, (April 11 1930 &ndash October 24 1997 born Howard Stanton Levey, was the American Founder and High Priest of the Historically, accusing someone of Satanism was a pejorative term for those with opinions that differed from predominant religious or moral beliefs. ^[16] Paul Tuitean believes the idea of acts of "reverse Christianity" was created by the Inquisition, ^[17] but George Battaille believes the mass may have existed prior to the descriptions of it which were obtained through the witchcraft trials. "Witch trial" redirects here For the song by Rush, see Fear series. ^[18]

Although John Milton was unlikely to have been a Theistic Satanist, his epic poem Paradise Lost, is an inspiration for Satanism to the extent that William Blake said of Milton "[he is] a true Poet, and of the Devil's party without knowing it. John Milton ( 9 December, 1608 – 8 November, 1674) was an English Poet, Prose Polemicist and An epic is a lengthy Narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation Paradise Lost is an Epic poem in Blank verse by the 17th-century English poet John Milton. "^[19] As well as being the inspiration for the Satanic School of literature Milton, Dante, Marlowe, and Goethe, are said by Nikolas Schreck to be the foundation of the modern concept of Satan. The Satanic School was a name applied by Robert Southey to a class of writers headed by Byron and Shelley, because according to him their productions ˈjoːhan ˈvɔlfgaŋ fɔn ˈgøːtə (in English generally ˈgɝːtə 28 August 1749 22 March 1832 was a German writer Nikolas Schreck is an American-born writer musician film-maker and spiritual teacher whose work focuses on magic Mysticism, mythology and the macabre He argues that these authors had "access to the Luciferian vision" and a "diabolical consciousness" that flourished due to their separation from the common man, "a radical disruption from the norm that allowed the effulgence of the black light to illuminate their work. "^[20]

A depiction of the typical features of historical descriptions of the Black Mass

In the 18th century various kinds of popular "Satanic" literature began to be produced in France. LaVeyan The Marquis de Sade also defiled crucifixies and other holy objects, and in Justine gives a fictional account of the Black Mass ^[21] although Ronald Hayman has said Sade's need for blasphemy was an emotional reaction and rebellion from which Sade moved on, seeking to develop a more reasoned atheistc philosophy. Donatien Alphonse François de Sade, Marquis de Sade ( June 2, 1740 – December 2, 1814) ( was a French aristocrat LaVeyan Ronald Hayman is a British playwright critic and writer known for his biographies ^[22] In the 19th century, Eliphas Levi published his French books of the occult, and in 1855 produced his well-known drawing of the Baphomet which continues to be used by some Satanists today (for example the sigil of Baphomet). Eliphas Lévi, born Alphonse Louis Constant, ( February 8, 1810 - May 31, 1875) was a French Occult author Baphomet is a name of unestablished origin It first appeared in trial transcripts during the Inquisition of the Knights Templar in the early 1300s The Sigil of Baphomet is the official insignia for the Church of Satan, chosen by Anton Szandor LaVey. Finally, in 1891, Joris-Karl Huysmans published his Satanic novel, Là-Bas, which included a detailed description of a Black Mass which he may have known first-hand was being performed in Paris at the time. Là-Bas (English Down There or The Damned) is a novel by the French writer Joris-Karl Huysmans, first published in 1891 LaVeyan ^[23], or the account may have been based on the masses carried out by the Abbe Guibourg, rather than by Huysmans attending himself. ^[24] Quotations from Huysmans' Black Mass are also used in some Satanic rituals to this day since it is one of the few sources that purports to describe the words used in a Black Mass. The type of Satanism described in Là-Bas suggests that prayers are said to the Devil, hosts are stolen from the Catholic Church, and sexual acts are combined with Roman Catholic altar objects and rituals, to produce a variety of Satanism which exalts the Devil and degrades the God of Christianity by inverting Roman Catholic rites. George Battaille claims that Huyman's description of the Black Mass is "indisputably authentic. "^[25] Not all Theistic Satanists today routinely perform the Black Mass. If the mass seems to have been abandoned, this may be because the mass is not a part of modern evangelical Christianity ^[26] and so not such an unintentional influence on Satanist practices. If rites of blasphemy such as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit are used at all they are often solely for beginners in Satanism to help them break away from any past Christian indoctrination or restrictive internalization of society's expectations for behaviour.

Michael Aquino included a black mass in his book The Church of Satan, and later Anton LaVey included one in his The Satanic Rituals. Anton Szandor LaVey, (April 11 1930 &ndash October 24 1997 born Howard Stanton Levey, was the American Founder and High Priest of the The Satanic Rituals is a book by Anton Szandor LaVey published in 1972 as a companion volume to The Satanic Bible. LaVey's work on Satanism, which began in the 1960s, had a great influence on popularising Satanism and making people aware of the possibility of being a Satanist. While his theology is not that of Theistic Satanism as his followers such as the Church of Satan do not worship Satan, his books and his philosophy are an inspiration to some Theistic Satanists. LaVeyan For a long time, his books were the few available which advertised themselves as being Satanic, although others were influential to occultists of the day and detailed the history of witchcraft and Satanism, such as The Black Arts by Richard Cavendish published in 1967. Richard Cavendish (born 1930) is a British historian who has written extensively on the subjects of Occultism and the Tarot. Anton LaVey specifically denounced "devil worshippers" and the idea of praying to Satan.

Preconceptions and myths

The Satanic Ritual Abuse scare was often centred on fears or beliefs about traditional Satanism^[27] The existence of large networks of organized Satanists involved in illegal activities, murder, and child abuse is occasionally claimed. Satanic ritual abuse ( SRA, sometimes known as ritual abuse, cult related abuse, ritualized abuse, sadistic ritual abuse, ritual Those claims have not been substantiated, and it has been labeled by Satanists and by sociologists as an example of a moral panic. A moral panic can be defined as "the intensity of feeling expressed by a large number of people about a specific group of people who appear to threaten the social order at a given

Some studies of crimes have also looked at the theological perspective of those who commit religious or ritualised crime. ^[28] However, criminals who explain their crimes by claim to be Satanists have been said by sociologists to be "pseudo-Satanists. "^[29] and attempts to link Satanism to crime have been seen as scaremongering by Theistic Satanists themselves. ^[30] Even seemingly non-Christian writers can include disproven themes popular with the Satanic Ritual Abuse movement, such as sexual crime being required for Satanism. Satanic ritual abuse ( SRA, sometimes known as ritual abuse, cult related abuse, ritualized abuse, sadistic ritual abuse, ritual ^[31] Some Christians fear that references to Satan in popular culture and music inspire some people to Theistic Satanism. ^[32] Although music cannot make someone become a Satanist, Christopher Partridge has said that regardless of whether the black metal musicians concerned are genuinely Theistic Satanists, through hearing the lyrics for instance of Black Sabbath and Coven (band)^[33] people may hear for the first time that there are people who are Theistic Satanists, and may be inspired to then go on to learn more about Theistic Satanism and eventually practice it long-term. Christopher Hugh Partridge (born 1961) is an Author, editor, Professor at Lancaster University in The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Black Sabbath are an Coven is a rock band composed of vocalist Jinx Dawson bassist Oz Osborne (not to be confused with Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath) Chris Nielsen ^[34]While they may first come upon the more obtainable works of Anton LaVey, who denied belief in Satan, those who discover his writings may then go on to reach a traditional viewpoint. Anton Szandor LaVey, (April 11 1930 &ndash October 24 1997 born Howard Stanton Levey, was the American Founder and High Priest of the ^[35] Christians may fear that Satanists spend their time blaspheming Christianity,^[36], but while some chose to begin their time as a Satanist by performing a renunciation ritual or rite of blasphemy, so that they can break from any negative conditioning they may have from previous religions they have followed, and begin their life anew, those who do so may not necessarily make that a regular practice. ^[37] Christians may fear that traditional Satanists may attempt to hex Christian meetings,^[38], and indeed some Theistic Satanists do practice spiritual warfare to accomplish Satan's will and to seek to limit restriction of their freedom of religion. ^[39]

Some may choose to live out the myths and stereotypes, but Christianity is not always the primary frame of reference for Theistic Satanists. ^[40] Their religion may be based on dark pagan, left hand path and occult traditions. Neopaganism or Neo-Paganism is an Umbrella term used to identify a wide variety of modern religious movements particularly those influenced by historical The terms Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path refer to a Dichotomy between two opposing Belief systems whose meanings have varied The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine hidden secret referring to "knowledge of the hidden" Theistic Satanists who base their faith on Christian ideas about Satan may be referred to as "Reverse Christians" by other Satanists, often in a pejorative fashion. ^[41] However those labeled by some as "reverse Christians" may see their concept of Satan as not diluted or sanitized. They worship a stricter interpretation of Satan: that of the Satan featured in the Christian Bible. Wiccans may consider most Satanism to be reverse Christianity,^[42] and the head of the Church of Satan, Peter Gilmore, considers "devil worship" to be a Christian heresy. LaVeyan ^[43] Diane Vera considers reverse Christianity "default Satanism", saying that for those teenagers who live in a Christian culture, or for people who've just left Christianity, this form of Satanism is the one they would arrive at on their own, before they learn other ideas. ^[44]

Satan in the Garden of Eden, depicted by William Blake

Values in Theistic Satanism

Seeking knowledge is seen by some Theistic Satanists as important to Satan, due to his being equated with the Serpent in Genesis encouraging mankind to partake of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, that they might become as God, and giving mankind a greater intellect. William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827 was an English poet, painter, and Printmaker. In the Book of Genesis, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (and occasionally translated as the Tree of Conscience,) was a Tree in the middle of the ^[45] Some perceive Satan as Baphomet, a hermaphroditic bestower of knowledge (gnosis. Baphomet is a name of unestablished origin It first appeared in trial transcripts during the Inquisition of the Knights Templar in the early 1300s Gnosis (from one of the Greek words for Knowledge, γνώσις is the spiritual knowledge of a Saint or mystically enlightened human being ) Other Satanic groups, such as Luciferians, and some individual Satanists also seek to gain greater gnosis. Gnosis (from one of the Greek words for Knowledge, γνώσις is the spiritual knowledge of a Saint or mystically enlightened human being For some Satanists, this is a form of gnosticism where they view Yahweh as the demiurge and Satan as the transcendent being beyond, of whom they seek knowledge. Gnosticism (γνώσις gnōsis, Knowledge) refers to a diverse Syncretistic Religious movement consisting of various Belief systems For information about Yahweh see God in Abrahamic religions, which provides useful links Jehovah they believe is a creation of Satan^[46] and lies about his powers, and so his Bible is not to be trusted. ^[47]Satan they believe is about freedom as opposed to all the rules and commandments of Christianity. ^[48] Eating the fruit of the tree also meant that humans could not be immortal, and must make the most of their time on earth. ^[49]

Self-development is important to Theistic Satanists. This is due to the Satanists' view of Satan, who is seen to encourage individuality and freedom of thought, and the quest to raise one's self up despite resistance, through means such as magic and initiative. They believe Satan wants a more equal relationship with his followers than the Christian God does with his. The main sin as the Christian god and his followers see it is that someone does not bow down to God. ^[50] Some Satanists seek to remove any means by which they are controlled or repressed by others and follow the herd, and reject authoritarianism. ^[51]

As Satan in the Old Testament tests people, theistic Satanists may believe that Satan sends them tests in life in order to develop them as an individual. They value taking responsibility for oneself. A dark self-spirituality may raise self esteem and reduce anxiety, guilt and doubt. ^[52] Despite the emphasis on self-development, Theistic Satanists often feel that there is a will of Satan for the world and for their own lives. They may promise to help bring about the will of Satan, ^[53] and seek to gain insight about it through prayer, study or magic. Prayer is the act of attempting to communicate with a Deity or spirit MagiC OS an alternative implementation of the Multitasking TOS / GEM OS for Atari ST line of computers ^[54] In the temptation of Christ in the desert, Satan says that if Jesus worships him, he can give him all the kingdoms of the earth. The temptation of Christ in Christianity, refers to the Temptation of Jesus by the Devil as detailed in each of the Synoptic Gospels Satan is known in the Bible as the prince of this world,^[55] and Satanists may feel that he can help them meet their needs and desires if they pray or work magic. They would also have to do what they could in everyday life to achieve their goals, however.

Theistic Satanists may try not to project an image that reflects negatively on their religion as a whole and reinforces stereotypes, such as promoting Nazism, abuse or crime. ^[56] However, some groups believe the emphasis on promoting a good image for Theistic Satanism has led to attempts to dilute and sanitize it. In particular, there is argument over animal sacrifice, with most groups seeing it as both unnecessary and putting Satanism in a bad light, and distancing themselves from the few groups that practice it. ^[57]

Diversity of viewpoints within Theistic Satanism

The internet has increased awareness of different views among Satanists, and led to more diverse groups, which has led the Church of Satan to assert their authority and legitimacy. But Satanism has always been a pluralistic and decentralised religion. ^[58] Scholars outside Satanism have sought to study it by categorizing forms of it according to whether they are theistic or atheistic^[59] and referred to the worship of Satan as traditional Satanism or theistic Satanism. For other uses of the word see Satanism (disambiguation. Satanism can refer to a number of belief systems depending on the user and context ^[60] It is generally a prerequisite to being considered a theistic Satanist that the Satanist accept a theological and metaphysical canon involving one or more God(s) who are either Satan in the strictest, Abrahamic sense, or a concept of Satan that incorporates gods from other religions (usually pre-Christian), such as Ahriman. "Ahriman" redirects here For other uses see Ahriman (disambiguation. Some Theistic Satanists believe in Satan as the All, a force filling the universe. ^[61]The diversity of individual viewpoints within Theistic Satanism, while being a cause for intense debates within the religion, is also often seen as a reflection of Satan, who encourages individualism. ^[62] Many Theistic Satanists believe their own individualized concept based on pieces of all these diverse views of Satan, according to their inclination and spiritual guidance, rather than only believe in one suggested interpretation.

A notable group that considered themselves to be Traditional Satanists was the Order of Nine Angles. The Order of Nine Angles (ONA is a purported secretive Satanist organization which has been mentioned in books detailing Fascist Satanism. Controversy meant this group were mentioned in the press and books, as they claimed to practice animal sacrifice ^[63] and agreed with human sacrifice. ^[64] They also had a right-wing philosophy that attracted notoriety. Similar political views are held by the Joy of Satan, who led to some resignations from the National Socialist Movement when prominent members were discovered to be involved with the Joy of Satan, ^[65] to the extent of donations from both organizations when those individuals were involved in the NSM, being asked to be sent to the same post office box address and number. ^[66] The JoS have some idiosycratic beliefs about spiritual entities being extra terrestrials, valuing the work of Zecharia Sitchin. Zecharia Sitchin (born 1922 is an author of books promoting an Ancient astronaut theory of human origins A group with very different political views to the ONA is Satanic Reds, whose Satanism has a Communist element. ^[67] However they are not Theistic Satanist in the manner of believing in Satan as a god with a personality, but believe in dark deism ^[68] as does Diane Vera,^[69] the belief that Satan is a presence in nature. Deism is the belief that a supreme God exists and created the physical universe and that religious truths can be arrived at by the application of reason alone without dependence on revelation The First Church of Satan believe the philosophy propounded by Anton LaVey himself was deism or panentheism but is propounded as atheism by the leaders of the Church of Satan in order to distance themselves from what they see as pseudo-Satanists. Anton Szandor LaVey, (April 11 1930 &ndash October 24 1997 born Howard Stanton Levey, was the American Founder and High Priest of the Panentheism (from Greek (pân "all" (en "in" and (Theós "God" "all-in-God" is a belief system ^[70]

Theistic Satanists may respectfully work with demons found in traditional grimoires. A grimoire (grɪˈmwɑr is a textbook of magic. Books of this genre typically giving instructions for invoking Angels or Demons performing

The Cathedral of the Black Goat and Brother Nero are called Christian-based by Diane Vera, who believes no-one follows complete reverse Christianity as it would be impossible. ^[71] Brother Nero practices what she considers to be the nearest to it. The Cathedral of the Black Goat are Traditional Satanists who follow the Satan of the Bible, but believe the Anti-Christ will succeed, bringing joy to the world and Satanists in particular. ^[72] Those figures usually seen as good in the bible such as John the Baptist are seen as evil, and to have worked to ensure enslavement ^[73] Hell is where most people will ultimately arrive, and it is not an unpleasant place. They also revere the Al-Jilwah of the Yezidi. ^[74]

Some people who identify as Satanists also revere other entities, for instance other demons. Such demons may include those of grimoires such as the Grimorium Verum, or Goetia, ^[75] or entities such as Lillith. The ' Grimorium Verum' (Latin for True Grimoire or The Grimoire of Truth) is a book on magic or Grimoire allegedly written by "Alibeck the Egyptian" Lilith (Hebrew he לילית is a mythological female Mesopotamian Storm Demon associated with Wind and was thought to be a bearer They may believe each person has a guardian or patron demon. Contact with demons in Theistic Satanism is usually in a respectful manner, such as that in demonolatry,^[76] rather than commanding them. Demonology (from Greek grc δαίμων daimōn, "demon" and grc -λογία -logia) is the systematic study of

Lucifer (in the lower right) shown in a defiant pose.

Luciferian groups such as the Church of Lucifer and the Children of the Black Rose are particularly inspired by Lucifer (from the Latin for "bearer of light"), who they may or may not equate with Satan. This is an article about people who revere the biblical Lucifer Lucifer is a name frequently given to Satan in Christian belief While some theologians believe the son of the dawn, Lucifer and other names were actually used to refer to contemporary political figures, such as a Babylonian King, rather than a single spiritual entity,^[77][78][79] althouugh on the surface the bible explicitly refers to the King of Babylon, those that believe it refers to Satan infer that by implication it also applies to the fall of Satan. ^[80] The Church of the Black Goat believe

Satan and Lucifer are the same being in his light and dark aspects. ^[81] Some writers equate the veneration of Set by the Temple of Set theistic Satanism, ^[82] however the Temple of Set do not identify as Theistic Satanists. The Temple of Set is an initiatory Occult society claiming to be the world's leading left-hand path religious organization The Temple of Set is an initiatory Occult society claiming to be the world's leading left-hand path religious organization They believe the Egyptian deity Set is the real Dark Lord behind the name Satan, of whom Satan is just a caricature. Their practices primarily centre on self-development. In Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan's works, the Black Flame is the inner desires of an individual. Anton Szandor LaVey, (April 11 1930 &ndash October 24 1997 born Howard Stanton Levey, was the American Founder and High Priest of the LaVeyan Within the temple of Set, the Black Flame is the individual's god-like core which is a kindred spirit to Set, and they seek to develop. In Theistic Satanism, the Black Flame is knowledge which was given to humanity by Satan, who is a being independent of the Satanist himself^[83] and which he can dispense to the Satanist who seeks knowledge. ^[84]

The diversity of views amongst Satanists, and the theistic nature of some Satanists, was seen in a survey in 1995. Some spoke of seeing Satan not as someone dangerous to those who seek or worship him, but as someone that could be approached as a friend. Some refer to him as Father,though some other Theistic Satanists consider that to be confused or excessively subservient. ^[85] However, referring to Satan as his follower's father occurs in the Bible (John 8:44. ) Satan is also portrayed as a father to his daughter, Sin, by Milton in Paradise Lost. Paradise Lost is an Epic poem in Blank verse by the 17th-century English poet John Milton.

Some groups are mistaken by scholars for Theistic Satanists, such as the First Church of Satan. ^[86] However, the founder of the FCoS considers what he calls "devil-worship" to often be a symptom of psychosis. ^[87] Other groups such as the 600 Club,^[88] are accepting of all types of Satanist, as are the Sinagogue of Satan, an organisation that promotes freedom of religion, but aims for the ultimate destruction of religions and encourages not self-indulgence, but self-expression balanced by social responsibility. ^[89]

Theistic Satanism often involves a religious commitment rather than being simply an occult practice based on dabbling or transient enjoyment of the rituals and magic involved. The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine hidden secret referring to "knowledge of the hidden" ^[90][91] Practitioners may choose to perform a pact or self-dedication rite, although there are arguments over whether it is best to do this at the beginning of their time as a Theistic Satanist, or once they have been practicing for some time. A deal with the Devil, pact with the Devil, or Faustian bargain is a cultural motif widespread wherever the Devil is vividly present most familiar ^[92]

See also

• Satanism
• Azazel
• Devil
• Left Hand Path
• Luciferianism
• Stregheria
• Magic
• Folk religion

References

Further reading

• Ellis, Bill, Raising the Devil: Satanism, New Religions and the Media (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2000).
• Hertenstein, Mike; Jon Trott, Selling Satan: The Evangelical Media and the Mike Warnke Scandal (Chicago: Cornerstone, 1993).
• Brown, Seth "Think you're the only one?" (Barnes & Noble Books 2004)
• Medway, Gareth J. , The Lure of the Sinister: The Unnatural History of Satanism (New York and London: New York University Press, 2001).
• Palermo, George B. ; Michele C. Del Re: Satanism: Psychiatric and Legal Views (American Series in Behavioral Science and Law) . Charles C Thomas Pub Ltd (November 1999)
• Pike, Albert, Morals and Dogma (1871)
• Richardson, James T. Albert Pike (December 29 1809–April 2 1891 was an attorney, soldier writer and Freemason. Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, or simply Morals and Dogma, is a book of Esoteric Philosophy published by ; Joel Best; David G. Bromley, The Satanism Scare (New York: Aldine de Gruyter, 1991). David G Bromley is a professor of Sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA and the University of Virginia, Charlottesville VA
• Vera, Diane, Theistic Satanism: The new Satanisms of the era of the Internet]
• Zacharias, Gerhard (1980). The Satanic Cult.   Translated from the German 'Satanskult und Schwarze Messe' by Christine Trollope.

External links

• Articles and essays about Theistic Satanism from about.com
• Satanism Archive
• Theistic Satanism and Left Hand Path oriented links
• Open Directory Project: Satanism Organizations
• Sinagogue of Satan