Most religions like Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam have
well defined meanings on exception is Satanism. Most people
have their own definition for Satanism.
Some people feel that non-Christian religions and all
Christian denominations other than their own are forms of
Satanism. This would imply that all Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems,
and Jews. In fact at least 75% of the world's population would be
Satanists.
Others feel that all religions other than Judaism or
Christianity are inspired by Satan and thus are forms of Satanism.
This would still leave the vast majority of people in the world
being Satanists.
Large numbers of people feel that a wide variety of unrelated,
benign religions (such as Santeria and other Caribbean religions,
Druidism, New Age, Wicca, ect.) are forms of Satanism.
Such definitions create great confusion. The following are
recommended terms and descriptions for four essentially unrelated
religions that have been called Satanism.
The first is Religious Satanism, This faith includes the
recognition of Satan either as a deity or as a principle.
Three main
denominations exist: the Church of Satan, the Temple of Set, and
the Church of Satanic Liberation. Other short lived Satanic groups
currently exist and have existed in the recent past. According to
Statistic Canada, the 1991 census found 335 Canadians who
identified themselves as Satanists. The actual Number is probably
significantly larger.
A United States Department of the Army pamphlet #165-13
'RELIGIOUS REQUIREMENTS AND PRACTICES OF
CERTAIN SELECTED GROUPS - A HANDBOOK FOR
CHAPLAINS' (1978 - April) estimated that there were 10 to 20
thousand members of the Church of Satan in the United States.
Accurate data is impossible to estimate, since the largest group
(The Church of Satan) does not release its membership totals.
It is important to realize that the Satan they recognize has
few if any point...
Interesting Essay
Your essay was a very interesting read although I was suprised, as a Christian, with the accuracy according to what I have been taught about the Satanic religious beliefs. You could certainly write a paper on your feelings with the knowledge you have on the subject. This would prove to be even more interesting!
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