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Satanism

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Encyclopedia of Religious Psychology and Behavior

Synonyms

Devil worship; Occult beliefs; Temple of Set; The Church of Satan; The Satanic Temple

Definition

Satanism is a diverse collection of religious, philosophical, political, and cultural movements significantly impacted in antiquity and modernity by broader cultural mores.

Satanism, a complex and often misunderstood religious, political, philosophical, and cultural movement, encompasses a broad spectrum of beliefs and practices that center the figure of Satan—a symbol of opposition to oppression, rebellion against tyranny, and a quest for knowledge. The origins of Satanic belief systems are inextricably linked with Christian mythology—the figure of Satan being one from Christian mythos. However, Satanism has evolved significantly since antiquity, challenging conventional morality and religious dogma. To best understand the complexities of Satanism writ large, it may be most advantageous to begin with a sweeping historical overview that funnels into the specific ways in which...

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References

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Correspondence to Christopher R. Dabbs .

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Dabbs, C.R., Baird, R. (2024). Satanism. In: Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Religious Psychology and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38971-9_1147-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38971-9_1147-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-38971-9

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