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I am curious as to whether or not Atheistic Satanism is comparable to the teachings of Anton LaVey? Noticed that LaVeyan Satanism was not listed in the classes of Satanism and figured i could ask. I know that LaVey taught more hedonism and self-empowerment than anything. My studies are lacking in the various sects of satanism. Thank you-

Yep, certainly is. The term 'LaVeyan Satanism' is never actually used by the Church of Satan - it's simply called 'Satanism', as Atheistic Satanists consider the term 'Theistic Satanism' to be an oxymoron.

JohnTitor wrote:I am curious as to whether or not Atheistic Satanism is comparable to the teachings of Anton LaVey? Noticed that LaVeyan Satanism was not listed in the classes of Satanism and figured i could ask. I know that LaVey taught more hedonism and self-empowerment than anything. My studies are lacking in the various sects of satanism. Thank you-

Some atheist will tell you that you can't be both atheist and deal with any form of superstition, religion, magic or such.
Lavey clearly states that you have to believe in magic for it to work. They also have ceremonies like a church and other elements of religion.


You will however find a lot of people calling themselves satanist even though they don't practice magic in any form and only agrees with laveys philosophical statements.

Satan is much bigger than LaVey. LaVeyan Satanism is only one flavor of it. That's more about humanism than religious structure.

That makes sense. I spoke with a member of administration from the CoS concerning the relation and similarities surrounding Set and the Christian Satan for a school paper I was writing whilst I was still in Junior Year(knowing of course about the discussion being nothing new). I was greeted by naught but arrogance and the utmost disdain for the broaching of the subject. Needless to say he insulted me in various ways before refusing to shed some light on the area. I was merely curious, and who better to ask than a high-standing member? I left the studies behind as I had no such desire to be associated with them if they could do nothing but insult and discourage education (going against the self-empowerment philosophy if you ask me). I am however glad to see that there are others who are more interested in the sharing of information regardless of their views thank you for shedding some light on this for me

JohnTitor wrote:That makes sense. I spoke with a member of administration from the CoS concerning the relation and similarities surrounding Set and the Christian Satan for a school paper I was writing whilst I was still in Junior Year(knowing of course about the discussion being nothing new). I was greeted by naught but arrogance and the utmost disdain for the broaching of the subject. Needless to say he insulted me in various ways before refusing to shed some light on the area. I was merely curious, and who better to ask than a high-standing member? I left the studies behind as I had no such desire to be associated with them if they could do nothing but insult and discourage education (going against the self-empowerment philosophy if you ask me). I am however glad to see that there are others who are more interested in the sharing of information regardless of their views thank you for shedding some light on this for me

The leader for the tempel of set and the leader for church of satan used to be friends but they had a really bad blowout. It spread to the family members and it got pretty ugly.
The feud has been going on for years. Even after lavey died, his family members continued it.

It's like asking northern Ireland catholics about northern Ireland protestants.
I'm not surprised that you got a bad answer.


To answer that question. The temple of set usually see Set as being a real force. Maybe not an entity but at least a form of energy.
But they are a group of individual and you will find different opinions about it.
I've also seen a change in it over the years. The founder and his wife has become much more mellow as they've grown older. The temple seems more open to new people and new ideas lately then it was back in the 80's.


To make the subject even more confusing today you have:

Theistic satanist = They usually believe that Satan is real. They also believe that Satan is evil. Or at least carnal, animalistic and/or natural force.
Many believe that ordinary ethics and morals holds us back from our true potential.

Non-theistic satanist= they don't believe that Satan is real. The church of satan usually falls into this category. Especially the new leaders.


Theistic luficerians = they believe that lucifer is a real entity, but often that he is more of a misunderstood angel, a rebel, the bringer of knowledge.

Non-theistic luciferians = They see lucifer as a symbol. It would be the same as opening a church for homer simpson. Not that anybody thinks that he is real, but he is generally a good role-model (although he does have some minor character flaws, but who doesn't).

Then you have devil worshipers. Which is basically a theistic satanist who believes in the bible...

And all of that is rough generalizations. Most of these people usually have a individual interpretation and you'll find anything from neo-nazis to doctors in the orders.

I see. Am I wrong in feeling that theistic luciferians are similar to Spiritual Satanists then? From my studies and practices that is more how they portrayed Him, as well as the other beings under his rule. I inferred from a few years (of course- when I was younger) of study that they revered them almost as beings not of this world/plane of existence, but rather Extraterrestrials. again, I left behind such studies and practices as my interest in the occult and Magick grew to combine with scientific correlation and neuro-theology.

JohnTitor wrote:Spiritual Satanists then

I've honestly never heard that term before.
I'll look into it.

this may shed some light on the term. very interesting stuff here. It considers the kundalini and chakra systems as a type of biological system ingrained and inherent in all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8GIKT8TY1k

I had this great informative answer and accidentally erased it so here it is but shortened tremendously. Atheistic Satanism and laveyan is the same thing. Laveyan are atheist. Their rituals are done simply as psychodrama.

In reply to the person who said they have never heard the term spiritual Satanist, it's the same thing as theistic Satanism, traditional Satanism or devil worship. They are all terms that are interchangeable.

Theistic Satanism, also known as Spiritual Satanism, recognizes the existence of supernatural beings. Oftentimes this being is called Satan, but sometimes other names are used. The Temple of Set is one of the most well known groups of theistic Satanists, although they no longer identify themselves as Satanic

LaVeyan Satanism is atheistic. According to LaVey, neither God not Satan are actual beings. Instead, Satan is a symbol representing the qualities embraced by Satanists.

Atheistic Satanism and the philosophy of LaVey does not differ anyway, cause they are more or less one and same thing. The Church of Satan defines Satanism purely carnal and atheistic philosophy. They neither use the word LaVeyan cause they think there is only one form of Satanism, which was codified by LaVey in his satanic Bible.

Church of Satan and Temple of Set have somewhat common history, cause Acquino who found the Temple was previously member of the priesthood of Church of Satan. He left the Church because of it´s atheistic philosophy and started Temple which acknowledges Set as theistic entity. They have took some amount of LaVey´s philosophy and magical practices and mixed it with theism, Egyptian mythology and some other forms of Magical practice.

Well if we want to be honest there's two kinds of Laveyan Satanism - the originally, magic/occult religion LaVey actually believed in which Satan is a force in the universe, or the dumbed down Satanism he was convinced to promote by the all mighty dollar. Steadmen's "HP Lovecraft and the Black Magick Tradition" has a great chapter on this.

Desecrated wrote:Some atheist will tell you that you can't be both atheist and deal with any form of superstition, religion, magic or such.
Lavey clearly states that you have to believe in magic for it to work. They also have ceremonies like a church and other elements of religion.

That's probably because most atheists are rationalists and pro-scientism. They make at least 95% of the atheist community out there.

Draco20 wrote:

Desecrated wrote:Some atheist will tell you that you can't be both atheist and deal with any form of superstition, religion, magic or such.
Lavey clearly states that you have to believe in magic for it to work. They also have ceremonies like a church and other elements of religion.

That's probably because most atheists are rationalists and pro-scientism. They make at least 95% of the atheist community out there.

The problem with atheism is, that it is still very much belief system itself and not so much scientifical reasoning.

Scientifical way to close religion and spirituality would be sceptisism which does not deny nor accept any answer as truth, but looks for evidence to prove what ever the evidence proves.

Atheist has already a stance and thus he sees the whole issue behind his colored glasses.