Church of Satan
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The Church of Satan was founded by Anton LaVey in 1966 with the goal of developing a 'rational' religious movement that combined philosophy, religion, and science. Its founding marked the first initiation of Satanism as a tradition in itself - CoS therefore considers itself the only true Satanism, and rejects the legitimacy of other Satanist religious movements. Originating in the US, it since became an international Satanist movement. CoS is an atheistic movement that views Satan as a symbol of materialism, rebellion and freedom. Rejecting the existence of a God (and of Satan as a literal being at all), LaVey encouraged man to position himself as his own form of God, at the centre of his own universe. Personal liberty and egoism are central to the ethos of the CoS – with an emphasis on fulfilling one's whims and desires without guilt or shame. Their emphasis is then on individualism and individual practice and ethos over that of the community. While they do still occasionally facilitate Satanic weddings, there is no other official form organised communal practice or events. Their website champions accepting "Man's true nature – that of a carnal beast, living in a cosmos that is indifferent to our existence". The negative stigmas associated with the symbol of Satan in Christianity (such as being promiscuous or selfish) are instead re-interpreted as positive attributes for one's happiness and success.
Author: Researcher, Inform
Institution: King's College London
Language: English
Subfield: Philosophy
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225250452
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