Satanism facts for kids
Satanism is a word with different meanings. It can describe various religions and ways of thinking. The idea of Satanism first came from Christianity. It is based on the character of Satan, who is part of Christian stories.
The word "Satanism" came into English from French. It was first used in the 1500s. At first, Christian groups used it to criticize other Christian groups. When someone was called a "Satanist," it didn't mean they worshipped Satan. It just meant they were not following what was considered "true" Christianity. This implied they were doing what Satan wanted.
Later, in the 1800s, the word "Satanism" was sometimes used for people who lived in a way that was seen as wrong.
Since the 1800s, some small religious groups have started to call themselves Satanists. They might use symbols related to Satan. These groups are sometimes called traditional Satanists. They believe their religion is very old. They also think it is similar to the beliefs of Witches.
Followers of Anton LaVey are sometimes called LaVeyan Satanists. For them, Satan is a symbol of freedom. It means being true to yourself. The word Satan also represents human desires and knowledge. These Satanists do not believe in a higher power, so they are atheists. However, they do practice a form of magic. They also believe there is no life after death.
What Does "Satan" Mean?
The word "Satan" originally meant "adversary" or "opponent." It was not a specific name at first. This meaning appears several times in the Old Testament of the Bible.
Before the New Testament, Jewish communities developed the idea of Satan as an angel. This angel had rebelled against God and was cast out of Heaven. This story was included in old texts like the Book of Enoch. This character of Satan then appeared in parts of the New Testament. There, he was shown tempting people to do wrong things. For example, in the Book of Matthew and the Book of Luke, Satan tried to tempt Jesus of Nazareth while Jesus was fasting.
History of Accusations
Throughout Christian history, people have been accused of practicing Satanism. These accusations often meant "Devil-worship."
During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church's Inquisition claimed that some Christian groups performed secret Satanic rituals. Later, in the Early Modern period, many people believed in a widespread Satanic plot by witches. This led to many trials of accused witches across Europe and North America.
Accusations of Satanic plots continued from the 1700s to the 1900s. People claimed Satanism was behind events like the rise of Protestantism and the French Revolution. In most of these cases, there was no real proof. The people accused of Satanism were usually not practicing a Satanic religion. They were also not guilty of the things they were accused of doing.
