Can Satanism be a viable religion?

Say “Satanism” and Christians will stone you with words of hate and ridicule. But LaVeyan Satanism is in fact a viable and incredibly liberal philosophy. It strongly focuses on self-gratification, but stresses on the fact that it comes with great responsibility. The Church of Satan strongly condemns breaking the law, as they believe that if you choose to live in society and get to benefit from it, you have a responsibility to give back. This belief is not, however, a moral one, but rather a practical one; this is the only way that they believe civilization could work. While they are strongly individualistic, they are absolutely not anarchists.

LaVeyan Satanism is one of the several distinct religions that identify itself as Satanic, and was established in 1966 by Anton LaVey. Followers of LaVeyan Satanism are atheists who stresses on individualism, hedonism, materialism, ego, personal initiative and self-worth. Satanists believe that Satan as a deity is a myth just as God is a myth, however, they view him as very symbolic. Satan symbolises rebellion against expectations, cultural norms, and religious creeds. The Church of Satan admits that earlier rituals was a mockery of Christianity, but as the Church evolved it solidified its own specific messages and tailored its rituals around the message.

The Satanic religion is the first religion that is pro-sexuality, they support any sexual king, fetish or flavour, as long as the partner is consenting. It supports their belief of viewing the self as the most important, and that each person has the right to make their own choices and master their own lives. They believe that enjoying life is the most important goal. Do note that LaVeyan Satanism is not cat killing cults or Satan worshippers; they clearly state in their rules that they go against the unnecessary slaughtering of animals.

Most followers believe in a scientific world-view but there are some that express the belief of various magical forces that move amongst us. Lavey, however, explains that rather than identifying these sources as supernatural, they are merely an undiscovered science that form a part of nature. LaVey emphasizes that none of the rituals that they perform is a means of worship, but “rituals” as a means of bring about change, and “ceremonies” a celebration of a particular occasion. Your own birthday is seen as the most important occasion to celebrate, as it is all about you.

In a 2001 study by sociologist James R. Lewis, he found that LaVeyan Satanism is the central influence on modern Satanism. Lewis noted that the majority of people examined were atheists or agnostics, with 60% of respondents viewing Satan as a symbol rather than a real entity. 20% of them viewed The Satanic Bible as the most important thing that attracted them about Satanism.

Satanism tends more to being a philosophical religion instead of worship to a higher deity. LaVey himself describes Satanism as a religion going against all other religions. It is the only religion that celebrates earthly life, and embraces the entire natural human being whether good or evil. Even though LaVey criticizes all religion, most of his criticism against religion aims toward Christianity and its historical impact on the Western Culture. LaVey goes against Christian teachings and morals and blames it for demonising human nature by defying natural instincts and emotions as sinful, trapping mankind in a state of guilt that makes sure the church has power and influence. He sees this as incredibly damaging to mankind.

This religion is seen as evil and wrong by Christians and receive incredibly bad press around the world, but if you look closer it has a lot of liberal movements against our oppressed society. “HEIL SATAN or rather HEIL ME”