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Over the years, the term Satanism or Satanists have taken on several meanings. In North America, "Satanism" is often used in a derogatory fashion. To others, a wide variety of beliefs and practices might be considered Satanic.
Definitions showing an attitude of intolerance are confusing, and can often trigger violence. In many cases, murders, shootings, fire bombings, lynchings, and even common assault has occured simply because of misinformation.
The widely accepted definition of Satanism, as used by religious historians, theologists, and by many practitioners themselves is as follows.
Satanism refers to those who either:
1. Worship the Christian devil. Although in the Middle Ages, the Christian churches taught that devil-worshippers were common, those who indeed worship the Christian devil are indeed very rare. Those that do exist appear to be solitary practitioners, and have not formed any established groups.
2. Accept Satan as a pre-Christian life principle concept worth emulating. These are religious Satanists, who follow several variations of Satanism, the largest being the Church of Satan.
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