"Hail Satan?" (2019)

[EgoDeath]

That some author refers to obscure occult practices in France as "Satanism" doesn't make it so. Satanism was not a thing until LaVey created it as a philosophy. I don't know how many times I can repeat this. No one before LaVey called themselves "Satanists." It was a term that was used similar to "Pagans" or "heretics," almost exclusively by Christians.

Satanism "was a thing" at various times. I agree that LaVey organized it in a way that it had never been organized before. 

It was indeed a term used by Christians to attack people they suspected. There's a long interesting book from 1896 devoted to working out who really is and isn't a devil-worshipper. 

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Devil-Worship_in_France

It's true that Masons and others were accused of being Satanists, but weren't really. On the other hand, there were people who worshipped Satan, who were known as Satanists, and didn't reject the label. 

Again, I think you are using a very specific definition of the word which sees LaVey type people as the only true Satanists. This is of course the definition we would expect to find on the web site of LaVey's organization. Still, people who aren't devoted to LaVey tend to use the word in a more general sense, and have done so for a long time. And not only as a term applied to others, like pagan or heretic. This is supported by the sources I have given you.

Okay, please cite me a source of a group that called themselves "Satanists" before LaVey. I'll wait. This has nothing to do with my affinity for "codified philosophy," this has to do with your direct and repeated misuse of the word.

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You clearly have not read one word I have said so you have wasted my time and do not care about that facts

Says the moron who refuses to throw a link my way. We have already established that you've been wrong about a few things... Let's review.

Satanism is an atheistic philosophy. They do not believe in supernatural beings or deities.

A Church of Satan forum does not exist.

You understand little about the nature of showmanship used by LaVey and his peers.

A DIRECT QUOTE from the CoS website, on the FAQ page, in response to the question "I am having experiences with demons or I feel that someone is attacking me on the supernatural level. What can you do to help me?"

CoS says, and I quote

Satanists do not believe in demons or other supernatural beings, nor do we believe in spells. Seek help from local mental health professionals to assist you to get over these delusions.

You are quite the fucking moron, I do admit.