Satanism Tenets vs. Actions | Ask A Christian Podcast

In a recent episode of the Ask A Christian Podcast, host Nate dives into a heated discussion about Satanism, sparked by a listener’s question about its righteousness compared to Christianity. The conversation, which you can watch in full here on YouTube, explores the stated tenets of Satanism—specifically from the Satanic Temple and Church of Satan—and questions whether these principles hold up when you look at the actions of some Satanists. Spoiler alert: things get spicy, and Nate’s not afraid to call out what he sees as a disconnect. Let’s break it down.

The Satanic Temple’s Tenets: Noble on Paper?

At around the 33:02 mark of the podcast, Nate pulls up the Satanic Temple’s seven fundamental tenets, which sound surprisingly wholesome at first glance. These include striving for compassion and empathy, respecting others’ freedoms (even to offend), and aligning beliefs with scientific understanding. One tenet even says, “People are fallible. If one makes a mistake, one should do one’s best to rectify it” (timestamp 35:50). Sounds like something you might hear in a self-help seminar, right? The Satanic Temple positions itself as a non-theistic organization, more about political activism than worshiping a literal devil. Their mission, as shared at 1:33:34, is to “encourage benevolence and empathy among all people, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense, oppose injustice, and undertake noble pursuits.”

But here’s where Nate raises an eyebrow. If the Satanic Temple is all about compassion and justice, why call it “Satanic”? As he points out at 1:34:42, naming your group after Christianity’s ultimate adversary feels like a deliberate jab. It’s like opening a vegan restaurant called “Butcher’s Delight.” The branding screams provocation, which Nate argues undermines their claims of pure benevolence (1:35:01). He wonders if this is just shock value or a deeper deception, echoing the biblical claim that Satan is the “father of lies” (29:17).

Church of Satan: A Different Flavor of Darkness

Things get murkier when Nate shifts to the Church of Satan’s eleven rules and nine statements, rooted in Anton LaVey’s 1969 philosophy (37:46, 1:47:23). Unlike the Satanic Temple’s polished activism, LaVey’s Satanism leans hard into indulgence over abstinence. The nine statements include gems like “Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek” and “all so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification” (1:47:41). Nate highlights the motto “Do as thou wilt,” tied to Aleister Crowley’s Thelema (1:40:38), as inherently self-centered. This isn’t about community or empathy—it’s about prioritizing your own desires, no matter the cost.

At 31:03, Nate contrasts this with the Satanic Temple’s claims, noting that some Satanists go beyond cosplay into dark rituals like child sacrifice or blood-drinking from unwilling victims. He’s quick to clarify that not every Satanist is eating hearts (31:23), but real-world examples—like the 2016 Russian cult or 2024 UK ritual killings (1:54:13)—suggest a gap between the “don’t harm others” rhetoric and what some followers do. If the tenets say one thing but actions say another, can you trust the PR?

The Great Deception: Words vs. Reality

Nate’s core argument, hammered home at 1:36:45, is that Satanism’s noble-sounding tenets might be a facade. He compares it to politicians who promise one thing but do the opposite (1:36:50). The Bible calls Satan the “father of lies” (29:17), and Nate suspects that groups like the Satanic Temple use compassionate language to mask a deeper agenda—whether that’s political provocation or something darker. He challenges the idea that Satanism is just atheism with a goth aesthetic, pointing out that even if the Satanic Temple doesn’t worship a theistic Satan, others do, and their actions aren’t so benign (1:50:33).

At 1:51:24, a guest named Mir nails it: Satanism often functions as anti-Christianity, not anti-religion broadly. Why else would Satanists tear up a Bible but hesitate with a Quran (1:51:54)? This selective targeting reinforces Nate’s view that Satanism, in its various forms, thrives on opposing Christian values, whether through political stances or outright rebellion.

Why This Matters for Christians

For Nate, a Christian podcaster, this isn’t just an academic debate. At 28:18, he frames it as a spiritual battle: you’re either on “Team Jesus” or “Team Satan,” whether you believe in the devil or not. He argues that Christians shouldn’t be swayed by Satanism’s polished tenets because the Bible warns of deception (29:22). Instead, he encourages digging deeper into resources like The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel to strengthen faith against such challenges. The book, which explores evidence for Christianity, is a great starting point for anyone wrestling with these big questions.

Nate’s not saying every Satanist is a villain—some might genuinely believe in their compassionate tenets (1:32:05). But he urges caution: if the name “Satan” is in the title, and history shows some followers doing horrific things, maybe there’s more to the story than a website’s mission statement (1:54:35).

Join the Conversation

What do you think? Are the Satanic Temple’s tenets a genuine call for empathy, or is Nate right that they’re a deceptive front? Check out the full discussion on YouTube and let us know your thoughts at https://askachristianpodcast.com/. For more ways to connect with the Ask Christian Podcast, visit our Linktree for social media, episodes, and exclusive content.