Satanism facts for kids
Satanism is a word that has several different meanings. It can describe different religions and philosophies. The concept of Satanism is an invention of Christianity. It relies upon the figure of Satan, a character deriving from Christian mythology.
The word "Satanism" was adopted into English from French. The term was first recorded during the sixteenth century. It was initially used by Christian groups to attack other, rival Christian groups. At first, the term didn't imply that the people who were called satanists worshipped Satan. It merely claimed that the accused were deviating from true Christianity, and thus serving the will of Satan.
During the nineteenth century, the term "Satanism" was applied to those leading an immoral lifestyle.
Since the 19th century, various small religious groups have emerged that identify as Satanist or use Satanic iconography. They are called theistic or traditional Satanists, because they believe their religion is older. They believe their religion is similar to that of Witches.
The followers of Anton LaVey are sometimes called LaVeyan Satanists. For them, Satan is only a symbol for the freedom to be themselves, and the word Satan is used as a symbol for man's inner desires and for knowledge. Even though these types of satanists are atheists, meaning they do not believe in a higher being, they do practice magic. They believe that there is no afterlife.
Etimology
The word "Satan" was not originally a proper name, but rather an ordinary noun that means "adversary". In this context, it appears at several points in the Old Testament. Prior to the New Testament, the idea developed within Jewish communities that Satan was the name of an angel who had rebelled against Jehovah and had been cast out of Heaven along with his followers; this account would be incorporated into contemporary texts like the Book of Enoch. This Satan was then featured in parts of the New Testament, where he was presented as a figure who tempted humans to commit sin; in the Book of Matthew and the Book of Luke, he attempted to tempt Jesus of Nazareth as the latter fasted in the wilderness.
History
Accusations that various groups have been practicing Satanism (in a 'Devil-worship' interpretation) have been made throughout much of Christian history. During the Middle Ages, the Inquisition led by the Catholic Church alleged that various heretical Christian sects and groups performed secret Satanic rituals. In the subsequent Early Modern period, belief in a widespread Satanic conspiracy of witches resulted in mass trials of alleged witches across Europe and the North American colonies.
Accusations that Satanic conspiracies were active, and behind events such as the development of Protestantism and the French Revolution continued to be made in Christendom between the 18th and 20th centuries. In most of these cases, there was no corroborating evidence that any of those accused of Satanism were either practitioners of a Satanic religion or guilty of the allegations leveled at them.
