Definition of the word satanism

The term "Satanism" derives from the religious ideology of Christianity, where Satan is considered the embodiment of evil and the adversary of God. Satanism, as a distinct religious or philosophical belief system, did not emerge until the 19th century. The French intellectual Honore Miraux coined the term "La Satanologie" in his 1886 work "Chairs d'un parcours spirituels" to describe his form of religious skepticism and criticism of traditional beliefs. This use of "Satanism" as a synonym for atheism or religious doubt became popular in France during the late 19th century, as the country underwent a period of intense secularization. In the United States, the rise of the so-called "Satanic Panic" in the 1980s and 1990s resulted in a renewed interest in the term "Satanism." This wave of moral panic was fueled by sensationalist media reports and the rise of anti-Satanic religious sects, such as the West Memphis Three case. Today, the term "Satanism" is used to describe a small number of religious and philosophical movements that embrace Satan as a symbol of personal liberation, rebellion against authority, or as a figurehead in a theatrical or ritualistic context. These movements often reject traditional religious practices or place a heavy emphasis on individualism and free choice. Overall, the meaning of "Satanism" has shifted from being primarily associated with heresy, blasphemy, or atheism to being more closely linked with rebelliousness, individualism, and hedonism in modern-day society.