What Is the Church of Satan? Beliefs, History & How It Differs From the Satanic Temple
Let’s be real for a second. When you hear “Church of Satan,” what pops into your head? Hooded figures chanting in a basement? Sacrificing goats under a full moon? Maybe a red guy with a pitchfork?
If that’s the movie playing in your mind, cancel the ticket.
The reality of modern Satanism is far less “Hollywood horror” and far more philosophical rebellion. But here’s the kicker: not all Satanists are on the same team. In fact, the two biggest groups—the Church of Satan and The Satanic Temple—basically hate each other. They have different bibles, different leaders, and completely opposite politics.
Confused? Don’t worry. We’re going to break it all down, strictly facts, Whether you’re a curious parent, a tech junkie, or just someone tired of fake news, this guide is for you.
The Church of Satan: The OG Rebels
Who Started It?
It all began in 1966 (the “Year One” of the Age of Satan) in San Francisco. A former carnival worker and organ player named Anton Szandor LaVey shaved his head, put on a black robe, and declared the founding of the Church of Satan.
LaVey wasn’t just trying to be edgy. He was a showman, sure, but he was also a philosopher who saw hypocrisy in the world. He watched men lust after naked women at the carnival on Saturday night and then sit in church pews praying for forgiveness on Sunday morning. He called it “spiritual vampirism.”
What Do They Actually Believe?
First things first: The Church of Satan does NOT believe in a literal Devil.
You read that right. They are atheists. To them, “Satan” isn’t a red demon living in Hell; he’s a symbol. He represents pride, liberty, and individualism. He is the “Accuser” who questions authority.
Their core philosophy is laid out in The Satanic Bible (1969). It’s not about doing evil; it’s about rational self-interest. Here’s the gist:
- You are your own God: Stop waiting for a sky-daddy to save you. Save yourself.
- Indulgence, not compulsion: Enjoy life’s pleasures (food, sex, success) as long as you don’t hurt anyone who doesn’t deserve it.
- “Might is Right”: This is where it gets controversial. They believe in social Darwinism—the idea that strong, smart, and capable people should rise to the top.
- Lex Talionis: The law of retaliation. If someone smites you on one cheek, smash them on the other. No “turn the other cheek” here.
Do They Do Magic?
Sort of. They practice “Greater Magic,” which is basically psychodrama. It’s a ritual meant to get your emotions out—like a therapy session with candles and bells. It’s not about summoning demons; it’s about psyching yourself up to crush a job interview or get over an ex.
The Satanic Temple (TST): The New Kids on the Block
Fast forward to 2013. Enter The Satanic Temple. Founded by Lucien Greaves and Malcolm Jarry, this group is what most people see in the news today.
While the Church of Satan is sitting in a dark room reading Nietzsche, The Satanic Temple is out on the streets with megaphones.
The Mission: Activism Over “Magic”
TST is also non-theistic (no literal Satan), but their vibe is totally different. They are a political activist group that uses Satanic imagery to fight for the separation of church and state.
Think of them as “ACLU Goths.” If a city puts up a Ten Commandments monument, TST demands to put up a statue of Baphomet (a goat-headed deity) right next to it. Their point? If you allow one religion, you have to allow them all.
The 7 Tenets
Instead of a whole bible, they have seven simple moral rules. And honestly? They’re pretty hard to argue with:
- Act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures.
- The struggle for justice should prevail over laws and institutions.
- One’s body is inviolable (it belongs to you alone).
- Respect the freedoms of others, even the freedom to offend.
- Beliefs should conform to the best scientific understanding of the world.
- People are fallible; we make mistakes and should fix them.
- Compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail.
The Showdown: Church of Satan vs. The Satanic Temple
This is where the tea gets spilled. These two groups are not friends. In fact, the Church of Satan (CoS) thinks The Satanic Temple (TST) are just “posers” and “political activists” masquerading as a religion. TST thinks CoS is an irrelevant “old boys’ club” with outdated, authoritarian ideas.
Here is the cheat sheet on their differences:
| Feature | Church of Satan (CoS) | The Satanic Temple (TST) |
| Philosophy | Right-Libertarian / Individualist. “Survival of the fittest.” Focus on personal power. | Left-Leaning / Humanist. “Justice and empathy.” Focus on community and social rights. |
| Politics | Apolitical. They claim true Satanism is about the individual, not voting blocks. | Highly Political. They sue states over abortion laws and fight for secularism in schools. |
| Structure | Centralized Hierarchy. You pay a fee to join. It’s exclusive. | Congregations. They have chapters (though recent drama has changed this—more on that below). |
| Magic | Yes. They believe in the psychological power of ritual. | No. They reject all “supernatural” or “magic” beliefs, focusing on science. |
| View on Critics | “If you’re dumb, you deserve what you get.” | “We must educate and fight for your rights.” |
Fresh Updates: What’s Happening Now?
To rank high, you need the latest scoop.
- The TST “Civil War”: In mid-2024, The Satanic Temple went through a massive internal “schism.” Leader Lucien Greaves fired several ministers, leading to entire congregations (like Florida and Minnesota) breaking away. Critics within the group accused leadership of being too authoritarian—ironic for a group built on rebellion!
- School Battles: In late 2024, TST launched the “Hellion Academy of Independent Learning” (HAIL) in Ohio. It’s a religious instruction program for elementary kids, created solely to counter Christian programs in public schools.
- Abortion Rights: TST recently opened a second telehealth abortion clinic in Virginia (named “The Right to Your Life” clinic) and is actively suing states like Indiana, claiming that abortion bans violate their religious right to bodily autonomy.
Wait, So Who Worships the Actual Devil?
This is the biggest misconception on the internet.
- Atheistic Satanism: (CoS & TST) Satan is a metaphor or symbol. No gods, no devils.
- Theistic Satanism: These are the people who actually believe Satan is a real deity. They are often called “Luciferians” or “Traditional Satanists.” They are tiny, fractured groups and have nothing to do with the major organizations we just discussed.
Quick Fact Check:
“Do Satanists sacrifice babies?”
NO. The Church of Satan explicitly forbids harming animals or children. In their view, animals and kids are the purest form of life because they follow their instincts naturally. Harming them is considered “un-Satanic.”
Why Does This Matter to You?
You might be thinking, “I’m not joining a cult, why do I care?”
Because this isn’t just about religion—it’s about culture. The Satanic Temple is currently one of the biggest fighters for First Amendment rights in the USA. When they challenge a law, it sets a precedent for everyone, Christians and atheists alike.
Meanwhile, the Church of Satan represents a philosophy of radical individualism that influences heavy metal, movies, and even libertarian politics. Understanding them helps you decode the symbols you see in pop culture every day.
Clearing the Smoke
Still have a few burning questions? We get it. The internet is full of rumors, creepypasta, and straight-up lies about Satanism. Let’s clear the air with some rapid-fire facts.
1. Do Satanists actually worship the Devil?
No. Both the Church of Satan and The Satanic Temple are atheistic. To them, “Satan” is not a real being with horns and a tail. Instead, he is a literary symbol representing rebellion, pride, and liberty. If you meet someone who literally prays to Lucifer, they are likely a “Theistic Satanist,” which is a totally different (and much smaller) group.
2. Do they sacrifice animals or children?
Absolutely not. In fact, this is one of the biggest myths out there. The Church of Satan specifically bans harming children or non-human animals. They believe that animals and kids are the purest forms of life because they act on natural instinct. Therefore, hurting them is considered a major sin. The Satanic Temple also strictly adheres to non-violence and bodily autonomy.
3. If they don’t believe in Satan, why call it “Satanism”?
Great question. It’s all about the shock value and the metaphor. By calling themselves Satanists, they instantly declare themselves as the “adversary” (which is what the Hebrew word Satan implies) to mainstream Christianity. It is a deliberate move to challenge religious authority and assert their independence. If they called themselves the “Nice Humanist Club,” nobody would pay attention to their protests.
4. How much does it cost to join?
This depends on the squad you pick:
The Church of Satan: You can sign up as a “Registered Member” for roughly $225 (one-time fee). However, you have to verify your identity, and they don’t just let anyone in.
The Satanic Temple: Joining is generally free, though you can buy a membership card or certificate to support them. Note: Due to recent internal conflicts in 2024, check their local chapter rules first, as some have gone independent.
5. Are they tax-exempt like other churches?
Here is a major difference.
The Satanic Temple is recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt religious organization. They sought this status to have the same legal standing as Christian churches in court battles.
The Church of Satan is not tax-exempt. They pay their taxes proudly. They believe all churches should be taxed and refuse to take a “handout” from the government, staying true to their philosophy of self-reliance.
6. What is the “After School Satan Club”?
This is a program run by The Satanic Temple. It is not about teaching kids to worship the devil. It is a direct response to Christian “Good News Clubs” operating in public schools. If a school allows a Christian club, the law says they must allow a Satanic one, too. The club focuses on science, critical thinking, and art—no demons involved.
7. Who is Baphomet?
You have probably seen the statue: a goat-headed figure sitting on a throne with children looking up at it. Baphomet is an ancient symbol representing the balance of opposites (male/female, human/animal, good/evil). The Satanic Temple uses this statue to challenge the placement of the Ten Commandments on government property. It is basically a heavy metal version of a “Free Speech” sign.
Bottom Line
The Church of Satan is about you—your ego, your success, and your personal power. It’s 1960s counter-culture wrapped in a black cape.
The Satanic Temple is about us—society, laws, and fighting the system. It’s modern political activism with a goth aesthetic.
They might share a name, but they are playing completely different games.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
Don’t just take my word for it. In the age of AI, critical thinking is your best weapon.
- Check out The Satanic Bible if you want to understand the philosophy of LaVey.
- Look up the documentary “Hail Satan?” (2019) to see TST in action.
- Question everything. That is, after all, the most Satanic thing you can do.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. We are not affiliated with any religious organization. Always verify information with primary sources like the official Church of Satan or The Satanic Temple websites.
