Satanism is not the worship of a devil, but a philosophy of radical individualism.

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Satanism is often misunderstood as a dark, organized religion, but history suggests otherwise. From the medieval persecution of the Knights Templar to the moral panics of the 1980s, accusations of devil worship have long served to discredit outsiders. In reality, modern Satanism is a philosophy centered on human freewill and nonconformity.

The historical narrative surrounding Satanism is largely defined by accusations rather than actual practice. During the Crusades, the Knights Templar faced charges of worshipping Baphomet, a figure modern historians suspect may have been a mistranslation of Muhammad. Centuries later, the witch hunts of the 14th century and the widespread Satanic Panic of the 1980s and 1990s in the United States and Britain saw innocent people imprisoned for crimes that never occurred. Experts note that there is no evidence of a widespread, organized worship of Satan throughout history.

Modern Satanism emerged as a distinct philosophy in 1966 when Anton LaVey founded the Church of Satan. LaVey, who viewed traditional Christian institutions as hypocritical, created a movement that utilized dramatic mockery of religious rites to emphasize the sanctity of the individual. Satanists do not believe in the literal Christian devil; instead, they view Satan as a symbolic representation of human freewill and autonomy. This philosophy prioritizes personal freedom over religious dogma, often using the imagery of the devil as a tool for provocation.

Since the founding of the Church of Satan, the movement has evolved into various offshoots, including the Temple of Set in 1975 and the Satanic Temple in 2013. The Satanic Temple, in particular, focuses on political activism regarding the separation of church and state. Their methods include provocative public displays, such as commissioning a nine-foot bronze statue of Baphomet for the Oklahoma state capitol in response to the installation of a Ten Commandments monument. By challenging these boundaries, they aim to highlight the intersection of religious influence and public governance in the United States.

Ultimately, Satanism functions as a counter-culture philosophy rather than a traditional faith. While the term remains controversial and frequently misunderstood, its core tenets remain rooted in the celebration of the individual. By rejecting the traditional, horned depiction of the devil, modern practitioners have reclaimed the symbol to advocate for secularism and personal liberty, ensuring the movement remains a persistent, if misunderstood, fixture of contemporary society.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Theistic Satanism is a diverse, decentralized religious movement far beyond simple devil worship.
• The Church of Satan is a philosophy of the self, not evil.
• The word 'Satanist' was invented as an insult between rival Christians
• LaVeyan Satanism is not devil worship, but a philosophy of radical self-interest and egoism.
• The man who turned Satanism into a modern, highly visible religion
• Is there a genuine difference between magic and religion, or is it just semantics?
• Why is it so difficult to define what counts as a religion?
• One figure, many identities: how religions define Jesus
• Are Rituals Inherently Religious, Or Do They Define Humanity Itself?
• Who actually holds the authority to define and speak for a religion?
• Why race and religion are not separate but inextricably linked in our modern world
• The sacred flame that fueled the power of Ancient Rome

More in Religion · More in Ideas & Philosophy · Latest · A–Z · All topics