Church of Satan – History, Philosophy and Significance

What is the Church of Satan?

The Church of Satan is a religious-philosophical organization founded in 1966 that has significantly shaped modern, atheistic Satanism. It is considered the first officially registered Satanic organization of the modern era and remains a central point of reference for discussions surrounding Satanism.

Contrary to popular belief, the Church of Satan does not see itself as the worship of a supernatural being. Satan is not considered a real deity, but rather a symbol of individualism, self-determination, rationality, and the rejection of religious dogma .

Founded by Anton Szandor LaVey

The Church of Satan was founded in San Francisco in 1966 by Anton Szandor LaVey . LaVey was a musician, occult researcher, and social provocateur who deliberately used religious symbols to challenge existing moral values.

With the publication of The Satanic Bible in 1969, LaVey formulated the philosophical foundations of the Church of Satan. This work remains the best-known manifesto of modern Satanism and clearly distinguishes it from spiritual or theistic belief systems.

Basic philosophical principles

The Satanism of the Church of Satan is explicitly atheistic . Supernatural concepts, ideas of the afterlife, or divine authorities are rejected. Instead, humanity itself is the focus.

Key principles include:

• radical individualism
• Personal responsibility instead of external moral control
• Criticism of religious hypocrisy
• Acceptance of human drives and needs
• Rationality and skepticism towards dogmas

Morality is not understood as universal or divinely ordained, but as situational and individual. Responsibility for one's own actions always remains with the individual.

Rituals and symbolism

Rituals within the Church of Satan have no spiritual or magical purpose in the religious sense. Rather, they serve psychological focus, self-reflection, and emotional processing .

The symbolism used – such as the inverted pentagram or the figure of Baphomet – is deliberately provocative. It is intended to question religious taboos and expose existing power structures, not to invoke mystical forces.

Distinguishing myths and misunderstandings

The Church of Satan clearly distances itself from illegal, violent, or extremist activities. Crimes, victimization practices, or coercion are expressly contrary to its philosophy.

Many media portrayals falsely conflate the Church of Satan with isolated criminal incidents or moral panics of past decades. Reputable representatives of the organization consistently emphasize adherence to applicable laws and personal responsibility.

Church of Satan today

Even after LaVey's death in 1997, the Church of Satan continues to exist and uphold his original principles. It does not see itself as a proselytizing religion, but rather as an organization for people who already identify with its philosophy.

Members come from a wide variety of social backgrounds. The influence of the Church of Satan is less evident in its numbers than in its cultural impact – particularly in music, art, literature, fashion, and subcultures such as Gothic and Metal.

Significance in a social context

The Church of Satan continues to function as a conscious counterpoint to authoritarian forms of religion. It raises questions about individual freedom, personal morality, and the role of religion in secular societies.

Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees, it remains an important part of modern religious and cultural history – not as a spiritual movement, but as a philosophical statement for self-determination and critical thinking .