Does Satanism Have the Same Goal as Christianity?

Introduction

In this article, I examine the religion commonly called Satanism and address several common claims: Is Satanism a “good” religion? Is it a cult? And most importantly, does it share the same ultimate goal as Christianity? Many people—especially in online discourse—suggest that Satanism is essentially Christianity in another form or that both religions ultimately teach the same message. This article argues that such claims do not hold up under theological, biblical, or scholarly examination.

To answer these questions fairly, we must define our terms carefully and distinguish between the different movements that fall under the label Satanism.

Are There Different Types of Satanism?

Scholars of religion generally recognize two primary forms of Satanism:

1. Theistic (or Traditional) Satanism

2. Modern (Atheistic or LaVeyan) Satanism

Although they share a name and some overlapping symbolism, these two movements are fundamentally different and often openly opposed to one another.

Theistic (Traditional) Satanism

Theistic Satanism is what many people instinctively think of when they hear the word Satanism. Adherents believe that Satan (often identified with Lucifer) is a real, personal, supernatural being who is worthy of reverence or worship. Within this broad category, beliefs vary, but common themes include:

• Satan as a god, demiurge, or exalted spiritual being

• Ritual practices intended to invoke or commune with Satan or demonic entities

• The use of magic or occult practices

• A self-conscious rejection of the Christian God

Unlike Christianity, theistic Satanism lacks a centralized authority, creed, or universally recognized canon, which results in significant doctrinal diversity.

Modern (LaVeyan) Satanism

Modern Satanism is most closely associated with Anton LaVey and the founding of the Church of Satan in 1966. This form of Satanism is explicitly atheistic. LaVeyan Satanists do not believe Satan exists as a literal being; rather, Satan functions as a symbol of individualism, rebellion, self-expression, and opposition to traditional Western religion—especially Christianity.

LaVeyan Satanism emphasizes:

• Radical individual autonomy

• Psychological egoism

• Rejection of objective moral authority

• Symbolic ritual as self-empowerment

Because modern Satanism does not claim belief in a literal Satan, this article focuses primarily on theistic Satanism, which presents the strongest theological contrast with Christianity.

Core Beliefs of Theistic Satanism

Although there is no single authoritative statement of belief, several doctrinal themes commonly appear in theistic Satanist writings and communities.

1. God

Theistic Satanists typically regard Satan/Lucifer as a god or god-like being worthy of devotion. He is often portrayed as:

• A liberator from the Christian God

• A revealer of hidden knowledge

• A champion of individual freedom and self-determination

This portrayal directly inverts the biblical depiction of Satan as a created being who rebelled against God (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:12–17, traditionally understood by Christians as having a dual or typological reference).

In Scripture, Satan is described not as a liberator, but as a deceiver and adversary (John 8:44; Revelation 12:9).

2. Authority and Revelation

Theistic Satanism has no formal revelation comparable to the Bible in Christianity. Instead, authority is decentralized and subjective. Some Satanists value occult texts, grimoires, or philosophical works, including writings by Anton LaVey—despite his atheism—alongside personal mystical experience.

This stands in contrast to Christianity’s claim of public, historical revelation through Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21).

3. Humanity

Many theistic Satanists view human beings as fundamentally animalistic, driven primarily by instincts and desires. Humanity is not seen as fallen or morally accountable before a holy God, but as naturally oriented toward self-interest.

Christianity, by contrast, affirms both the dignity and brokenness of humanity: humans are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27) yet corrupted by sin (Romans 3:23).

4. Sin and Morality

In theistic Satanism, sin is typically viewed as relative. Moral categories such as right and wrong are often grounded in personal preference, power, or pragmatic outcomes rather than objective moral law.

Biblically, sin is defined as rebellion against God’s moral will (1 John 3:4), and moral truth is rooted in God’s character (Psalm 19:7–9).

5. Salvation and the Afterlife

Most theistic Satanists deny any need for salvation from sin. Views of the afterlife vary widely, ranging from annihilation to vague spiritual continuation, but there is no coherent doctrine comparable to Christian eschatology.

Christianity teaches salvation as reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9; John 14:6) and affirms a future resurrection and final judgment (Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:11–15).

6. Creation

Theistic Satanists generally accept evolutionary accounts of origins, sometimes combined with occult or polytheistic interpretations in which Satan or other spiritual beings play a role in cosmic development. Some view Satan as a creator or co-creator figure.

Christian doctrine affirms God as the sole, sovereign Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16).

7. Additional Notable Beliefs and Practices

Beyond the points already mentioned, theistic Satanism often includes:

• Ritual magic aimed at personal power, revenge, or spiritual influence

• Occult cosmologies involving demons, fallen angels, or hidden realms

• Inversion of Christian symbols as a theological statement

• Hostility toward Christian moral teaching, particularly sexual ethics

• Emphasis on self-deification, where the self becomes the ultimate authority

These elements further distance theistic Satanism from Christianity at both a doctrinal and ethical level.

Is Satanism a Christian Cult?

Whether Satanism should be labeled a cult depends heavily on the definition being used.

From a Christian theological perspective, Satanism clearly derives much of its conceptual framework from biblical categories—God, Satan, angels, rebellion, morality—while rejecting or inverting Christianity’s core doctrines. In that limited sense, it could be described as a parasitic or reactive belief system.

However, from a sociological perspective, most forms of Satanism do not consistently exhibit the behavioral markers typically associated with cults, such as:

• Totalistic control over members’ lives

• Systematic isolation from family or society

• Centralized authoritarian leadership

For this reason, it is more accurate to describe Satanism as a distinct religion or spiritual movement, rather than a Christian cult in the same category as Mormonism or Jehovah’s Witnesses, which explicitly claim Christian identity while redefining core Christian doctrines.

Conclusion

Although Satanism—particularly in its theistic form—is diverse and loosely structured, it is united by a common philosophical core: the elevation of the self as the highest authority. Human desire, personal power, and individual autonomy are consistently prioritized above submission, self-sacrifice, or moral accountability to a transcendent God.

Christianity teaches the opposite. Scripture affirms that all people have equal value because they are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), that true freedom comes through obedience to God (John 8:31–36), and that self-denial—not self-exaltation—is the path to life (Luke 9:23).

For these reasons, Satanism does not share the same goal as Christianity, nor can it be considered a morally or theologically equivalent alternative. The claim that Satanism is merely another “good” religion or essentially the same as Christianity collapses under careful examination. From a Christian worldview, these beliefs are not only false, but spiritually harmful, leading not to truth or fulfillment, but ultimately to emptiness and separation from God.

Selected Scholarly and Academic Resources

• Lewis, James R. Satanism Today: An Encyclopedia of Religion, Folklore, and Popular Culture. ABC-CLIO, 2001.

• Petersen, Jesper Aa. “Modern Satanism: Dark Doctrines and Black Flames.” Oxford University Press, 2014.

• Introvigne, Massimo. Satanism: A Social History. Brill, 2016.

• LaVey, Anton Szandor. The Satanic Bible. Avon Books, 1969.

• Russell, Jeffrey Burton. The Devil: Perceptions of Evil from Antiquity to Primitive Christianity. Cornell University Press, 1977.

• Boyd, Gregory A. God at War. InterVarsity Press, 1997.

• Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. Baker Academic, 2013.

• Frame, John M. The Doctrine of God. P&R Publishing, 2002.