Group 6: Satanism

Abstract

This poster will discuss the origins of Satanism by looking at the beliefs and intentions of its founder, Anton LaVey, who founded the Church of Satan in San Francisco in 1966. Two types of Satanism that developed from these origins will be compared: Rational Satanism and Esoteric Satanism. This poster will contextualize these movements by drawing on contemporary religious studies sources that highlight Satanism as a reaction to modernity. It will also consider the negative cultural connotations attached to being a Satanist. Consistent with the scholarly literature, this poster argues that due to these negative connotations, Satanism is usually not viewed as a religion but rather a ‘cult,’ a term which carries its own negative connotations. These connotations are explained with reference to the history of the early 20th C Christian counter-cult movement and the mid-20th C secular anti-cult movement. This poster looks to relate the beliefs and practices of both branches of Satanism to those commonly associated with major world religions. In doing so, it seeks to broaden the audience’s understanding of what Satanism is and what beliefs and practices Satanists are committed to.