Lists about the myths and realities of those who worship the other Big Guy.

Could It Be... Satan?

Satanism

In a world where civil liberties are under attack almost daily, women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community need all the help they can get - even if it's from the Satanic Temple. Yes, the Satanic Temple regularly advocates for religious freedom, especially for the non-religious.&nbsp;The Satanic Temple's long history with abortion rights, women's reproductive rights, and as well as their history of trolling Hobby Lobby, states like Ohio and Missouri, and the Westboro&nbsp;Church, may make them an unlikely ally, but they are certainly committed to their cause. The Temple has even made headlines for its continued investment in an ongoing lawsuit from 2015 where a Missouri woman was forced to undergo several state-mandated requirements before she was allowed to have an abortion.&nbsp;Though the Satanic Temple is not related to the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/old-church-of-satan-photos/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">Church of Satan,</a> you may still find horns and lots of black robes - or you may just find people who vehemently oppose the restrictions placed by the religious right. You definitely won't find anyone sacrificing animals... or any Trump supporters.&nbsp;

The Satanic Temple Wants You To Know They're On The Right Side Of History

General

The Satanic Temple Is Not Here For Any Of Your Oppressive BS

Beth Elias

Cults

Even though it&rsquo;s been the subject of myriad documentaries, the Church of Scientology is a somewhat of a mystery to everyone who isn&rsquo;t&nbsp;a member of the church. And despite the world&rsquo;s view of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/leah-remini-scientology-tell-all-moments/mike-rothschild">Scientology</a> being the chosen religion of many A-List celebrities, there are <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/satanism-christianity-similarities/jacob-shelton">more similarities</a> between Scientology and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/satanism-facts-and-trivia/will-gish">Satanism</a> than you&rsquo;d think. Not only was the creator of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, heavily influenced by Aleister Crowley, an early 20th-century occultist, but there are plenty of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/sci-fi-scientologist-beliefs/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">weird things&nbsp;Scientologists believe</a> that&nbsp;Satanists&nbsp;also believe. Prepare to do battle with some of your body thetans, because you&rsquo;re about to find out all the ways Scientology and the Church of Satan are the same.

On the surface, the similarities between Scientology and Satanism seem to be nothing more than superficial, but when you begin to learn about the creation of Scientology&nbsp;and L. Ron Hubbard&rsquo;s obsession with ancient occultists, you can see how the Church of Scientology and the Church of Satan are kind of similar. The easiest conclusion to draw from all this information is that both Satanism and Scientology were created as a way to get rubes to part with their money with the promise of bettering themselves through mystic gobbledygook and both mock religions (or philosophies) got way out of hand. Or maybe it&rsquo;s all real. You be the judge.&nbsp;

12 Surprising Ways Scientology Is Kind of Like the Church of Satan

Jacob Shelton

What does it mean to be a Satanist?

Throughout history, the devil has known many names: Satan, Lucifer, Beelzebub, Our Old Friend. The <a href="https://time.com/3973573/satanism-american-history/" target="_blank">early days of Christianity</a> established Satan as an important figure, and non-canonical biblical texts solidified his status as the antagonist of heaven. By the 13th century, Satan&#39;s role in biblical storytelling was set, and in the 17th century, his literary magnitude was immeasurably enhanced by his unforgettable&nbsp;turn in John Milton&#39;s epic Christian poem Paradise Lost. In the 1960s, coinciding with a reformed&nbsp;interest in the occult brought on by the counterculture, individuals and groups claiming to worship and abide by Satan&#39;s ethos cropped up all over the United States and Europe. The iconography seeped into popular culture via heavy metal music and fantasy role-playing games, leading to a vilification by the media that&nbsp;culminated in the &quot;Satanic panic&quot; of the 1980s.

The truth about Satanism is&nbsp;complex, and <a href="https://www.learnreligions.com/laveyan-satanism-theistic-satanism-and-luciferianism-95715" target="_blank">practitioners of&nbsp;Satanism</a> are as varied in their beliefs as other religious groups. Most,&nbsp;however, praise nonconformity, believe in the value of psychodrama (or theatrical customs and rituals), and disavow Western concepts of morality. Satanists tend to refer to their choices as following the lefthand path, meaning they believe in the power of the self to navigate life.

The majority of Satanic beliefs can be divided into three loose categories: reactive/inverted, or those who worship Satan as an evil Christian force; rationalistic, or those who are secularly guided by Satanic ideas; and theistic, or those whose beliefs incorporate any number of deities or supernatural entities, including Satan. This list investigates the history of the Satanic sects that have developed in the past four or five decades and maintain followings to this day.

Explaining The Different Satanist Sects

Explaining The Different Sects Of Satanism

Megan Summers

Mormonism

As much as the Church of Satan presents itself as the antithesis to everything upright and orderly, there are actually more than a few similarities between <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/satanism-facts-and-trivia/will-gish">Satanism</a> and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/what-mormons-believe/richard-rowe">Mormonism</a>. While there aren't&nbsp;an overwhelming number of&nbsp;shared beliefs between the&nbsp;Church of Mormon and Satanism, the ones that do exist will shock you right out of your magic underwear.Both&nbsp;religions have a&nbsp;curious relationship to blood and to water, and both try to maintain an air of secrecy around their private ceremonies,&nbsp;bordering on&nbsp;the plot to the latest Dan Brown novel. In many creepy ways, the more you zoom in, the more the two institutions start to look the same.&nbsp;To learn about the similarities between the Mormon and Satanist religions, light a candle and read on below.

12 Ways Satanism Is Surprisingly Similar to the Mormon Church

12 Surprising Ways Satanism Is Similar to the Mormon Church

Thanks to film,&nbsp;television, and media frenzies,&nbsp;Satanism tends to get a bad rap, and it can be hard to separate fiction from reality&nbsp;with so much misinformation swirling around. But for all of the cloak and dagger, the similarities between Christianity and Satanism are numerous. Some of the Satanism Christianity similarities are kind of obvious: the devil and the use of symbolism come to mind. But there are more than two ways Christianity and Church of Satan are the same. On this list, we’ll explore how the two very different religions have quite a bit in common, and&nbsp;see if they have any crossover.On the surface, it may not seem like there are Christianity and Satanism shared beliefs, but at the core of each religion, there’s a morality that drives its followers to be good people. This seed of an idea has blossomed multiple similarities between the otherwise disparate religions. From their thoughts on drugs, to the growing up in a religious household the ways that the Church of Satan is similar to the Christian faith are going to blow your mind.

19 Ways the Church of Satan Is Similar to Christianity

Graveyard Shift

Ever since his death in 1997,&nbsp;many have wondered: who was Anton LaVey, the founder of the Church of Satan? While LaVey gave a thorough account of his life in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Life-Satanist-Authorized-Biography/dp/0922915121" target="_blank">The Secret Life of a Satanist: The Authorized Biography of Anton LaVey</a>, many&nbsp;of the details were later refuted by a <a href="http://www.maryellenmark.com/text/magazines/rolling%20stone/920S-000-004.html" target="_blank">particular journalist</a> who decided to delve into the life of LaVey. While it is difficult to extract the truth from a dead man,&nbsp;one thing is for certain:&nbsp;Anton LaVey was a showman who founded the&nbsp;Church of Satan and&nbsp;brought&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/satanism-facts-and-trivia/will-gish" target="_blank">Satanism</a> to Hollywood.Howard Stanton LaVey was born in Chicago, IL,&nbsp;on April 11, 1930, to parents Michael Joseph LaVey and Gertrude Augusta Coultron. The LaVey family moved to San Francisco when Anton was still a child and he remained there for the rest of his life, eventually turning his childhood home into the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/old-church-of-satan-photos/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">Church of Satan headquarters</a>.&nbsp;Aside from those basic facts -&nbsp;and even those particulars were sensationalized and wholly changed by LaVey -&nbsp;little is known about&nbsp;his life and accomplishments. The details are all a bit strange, but&nbsp;Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey facts, myths, and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/scientology-satanism-similarities/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">stories</a>&nbsp;will leave you as captivated as a newly recruited member of Satan's league.

The Bizarre Story Of Anton LaVey, The Founder Of The Church Of Satan

Jessika M. Thomas 

Satanism&nbsp;generally has a bad reputation, the cultivation of which can mostly be attributed to TV, movies, and print media&nbsp;that portray the religion as a dark cult. When most people think of the Church of Satan, they&#39;re likely to picture sacrificial offerings, devil worshiping, or magical&nbsp;dark rituals -&nbsp;but these&nbsp;ideas are, at best, exaggerated, and at worst, completely inaccurate. <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/satanism-facts-and-trivia/will-gish" target="_blank">Satanism</a> has always mainly pursued enlightenment and individualism, emphasizing the preservation of life and making the most of each day.

While this&nbsp;ideology may strike some as a somewhat anarchistic system, Satanists -&nbsp;like members of any other organized school of thought -&nbsp;do have specific rules and regulations by which they have to abide. While they&#39;re generally common sense, these requirements are designed to ensure Satanists continue to adhere to the central ideas of Satanism.

Rules And Rituals Members Of The Church Of Satan Have To Follow

Nathan Gibson

Satanists are on the internet just like the rest of the world, and in some parts of the web, they&#39;re doing it better than a lot of folks. The posters over at the Reddit forum <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/satanism/" target="_blank">r/satanism</a> have found a way to turn their beliefs into memes that are roll-on-the-floor funny.

Whether it&#39;s finding humor in people who don&#39;t understand the religion or poking fun at themselves, these satanists are finding the perfect way to be funny on the internet.

23 Memes That Prove Satanists Have An Awesome Sense Of Humor

Anthony Barstow

Devils, demons, and Satan; oh my! Here's a roundup of anime shows that the devil himself can appreciate (sometimes, he's even the star!). Presented to you from the fiery depths of hell, this is a <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-anime-series-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">list of anime</a> that focuses on Hell and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-demon-character-in-anime/ranker-anime" target="_blank">demonic characters</a>. So, next time you decide to watch anime with Satan, put on one of these thrill rides and Lucifer is sure to be pleased!The appearance of the devil in anime doesn't exactly carve a portrait of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/satanism-facts-and-trivia/will-gish" target="_blank">Satanism</a>, and it also doesn't mean that the anime itself is&nbsp;Satanic. However, these series have more than enough appearances of crooked Gods and Hell spawn that anyone who takes delight in Satanic manifestos from the underworld is bound to be captivated by the&nbsp;damnable demons&nbsp;that lie within.&nbsp;Vote up the best anime that stars Beelzebub, demons, and fiends.&nbsp;

Demon King Daimao

Anime Satanists Can Really Appreciate

anime

25+ Devil Anime Series That Satanists Can Appreciate

CrystalBrackett

Conspiracy theories, specifically Satanic conspiracy theories, provide a new context for many world events that feel too large to have a simple catalyst. They offer a new way to look at the world via scrutinizing <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/organizations-connected-to-the-illuminati/mike-rothschild" target="_blank">the organizations</a> that have been controlling the world for hundreds of years.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/satanism-facts-and-trivia/will-gish" target="_blank">Satanism</a> in world history has a somewhat nebulous definition. In some instances, the historical events caused by Satanism are directly influenced by <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/creepy-unsolved-mysteries-satanic-ritual/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">magical rituals</a> meant to raise a deity;&nbsp;in other cases, history was simply affected by Satanists who were looking&nbsp;to alter history. 

While digging into the world of Satanism conspiracy theories, separating reality from myth may be difficult. Once you read about these hypotheses for major world events, <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/satanic-symbols-in-public/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">Satanic symbols</a> may alter the way you look at history and even the present.&nbsp;The conspiracy theories collected here all contain elements of the truth, but in many of these cases, it&#39;s impossible to know 100% of the facts, either due to the deaths of everyone involved, or simply because too much time has passed to get a straight story.

8 Ridiculous Conspiracy Theories That Blame Satanists For Almost Everything

The Satanic Conspiracy Theories Behind Major Historical Events

Wholesome

The Satanic Temple is an organization that often draws a quick and visceral response from many people, who see&nbsp;its association with Satan as representing an inherent evil. The reputation, however, is not wholly earned, and local chapters of The Satanic Temple across globe consistently participate in charitable work and community outreach.

From collection donations of food and clothing for homeless and underprivileged peoples to joining the fight against domestic violence and child abuse, The Satanic Temple has lent its name and energies to a wide array of positive causes that can use all the support they can get, no matter its origin. So check out these awesome charities that Satanists around the globe are making part of their mission to support.

Surprisingly Wholesome Acts Of Charity By Satanists All Over The World

Social Media & Texts

<a href="https://twitter.com/ChurchofSatan/status/1392519073603276805" target="_blank">The&nbsp;Church of Satan</a>&nbsp;has a Twitter account, and it&#39;s pretty hilarious, thought provoking, and incredibly snarky -&nbsp;basically everything you are looking for in a <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/church-of-satan-twitter/joshualee" target="_blank">Twitter friend</a>.&nbsp;Vote up your favorite Church of Satan tweets and clapbacks.&nbsp;

25 Pretty Sassy Tweets & Clapbacks From The Church Of Satan That Made Us Giggle Like A Schoolgirl

Damon Davis

Whoa Facts

Satanism - it conjures images of darkness, violence, esotericism, ritualistic sacrifice, blood-fueled orgies, <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/satanic-songs/christopher-shultz">and generally undesirable anti-social behavior</a>. But what is the religion really about? How do we define Satanism? What do Satanists actually believe? Is Satanism really the same thing as devil worship? Is that kid in a Behemoth shirt actually gonna go home, kill a pig, and drink its blood? Answers to most of these questions, and many more WTF facts - including the Catholic Church's involvement in the creation of Satanism - appear in this brain-tingling list examining the many facets of Satanism.

Things You Never Knew About Satanism

20 Random Things You Never Knew About Satanism

Will Gish

Lists of famous and notable religious devotees around the world, practicing today and throughout history.

Celebrity Believers

Pop Culture

The mere mention of&nbsp;Satanism&nbsp;may evoke&nbsp;thoughts of human sacrifice and evil incarnate, but the modern Church of Satan does not actually believe in the devil. Rather, they preach individualism, claiming to be the peaceful adversaries of the religious world. Peter Gilmore, the current high priest of the Church of Satan, said in a 2007 <a href="https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Satanism:_An_interview_with_Church_of_Satan_High_Priest_Peter_Gilmore" target="_blank">Wikinews interview</a>, &quot;Satanism begins with&nbsp;atheism.&quot;

In 1966,&nbsp;Anton LaVey&nbsp;founded the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/satanism-facts-and-trivia/will-gish" target="_blank">Church of Satan</a>. LaVey, an author and occultist, became a minor celebrity&nbsp;in his own right, using over-indulgence and shock value to attract&nbsp;attention - and major celebrities -&nbsp;to his organization. As a result, many famous individuals have surprising connections to LaVey and the Church of Satan.

Famous People You Didn't Know Had Connections To Satanism

Person

10 Famous People With Connections To Satanism

Satanists get a bad rap. Common misconceptions people have about Satanism dredge&nbsp;up images of animal sacrifice, devil worship, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/creepy-unsolved-mysteries-satanic-ritual/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">gruesome satanic rituals</a>, blood, evil, murder... you get the picture.&nbsp; Interestingly enough, Satanists don’t actually worship the devil or sacrifice cute baby&nbsp;animals.&nbsp;Instead, they&nbsp;promote responsibility for one’s self, are against murder/killing unless it’s in self-defense, and encourage folks to live their lives as they see fit. These accounts of the common misconceptions people have about about Satanism will explain the true tenets of the movement. These <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/satanism-facts-and-trivia/will-gish" target="_blank">true stories told by Satanists</a>&nbsp;reveal the truth about their practice, the different schools of thought, and the beginnings of the religion.&nbsp;

Actual Satanists Reveal The Biggest Misconceptions Everyone Has About Their Religion

17 Satanists Reveal The Biggest Misconceptions About Their Religion

Stefanie Hammond

Aside from worshipping the Dark Lord and finally having an excuse to sport&nbsp;a goatee, the most exciting part of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/satanism-facts-and-trivia/will-gish">being a Satanist</a> is finally getting invited to <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/satanic-ritual-horror-movies/jacob-shelton">Satanism religious meetings</a>, which are basically just excuses to hang out and trade ideas with groovy people like yourself. Prior to the advent of the Internet, Satanists mostly practiced in secret and had to meet at&nbsp;local “grottos.” What are Satanist grottos, you ask? While they sound like the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL_WvOly7mY">hot tub at the Playboy Mansion</a>&nbsp;(the one that has to be cleaned religiously), it's actually a generic term for a meeting&nbsp;place&nbsp;that could be anywhere,&nbsp;from a basement to a full-on Satanic church. Wherever Satanists&nbsp;congregated,&nbsp;there a grotto would be. So what are the Satanist grotto rules? Even if Satanism is&nbsp;an anti-religion&nbsp;based on doing whatever you want, it still has to have&nbsp;rules, right? Absolutely. After all, you can’t have a good time if you don’t have clearly defined rules. Satanist grotto traditions are covered in multiple books written by&nbsp;folks who were seen as figureheads of the Church of Satan throughout its early permutations. These righteous 666 scribes&nbsp;were kind enough to lay out ground rules for whenever a murder of Satanists (or any other number of occultists) decide&nbsp;to get together. These rules&nbsp;cover&nbsp;everything from how you’re supposed to act to what you’re allowed to do once you’ve had a few cocktails. These guys seriously thought of everything. Open your mind and learn how to act when you finally get invited to your first Satanist barbecue, or what types of riffs you should shred at your first Black Mass (just kidding, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3b6SGoN6dA">everyone knows the answer to that</a>).&nbsp;

Follow These Rules For A Successful Satanist Gathering

Satanist Get-Together Rules

Satanism lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for lists and rankings in all categories