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The Satan recognized by most religious Satanists has little or nothing to do with the conservative Muslim or Christian view of Satan. Their concept is pre-Christian, taken from Pagan images symbolic of power, virility, sexuality, and sensuality. This Satan is more of a life-force, as opposed to a living quasi-deity, and has nothing to do with Hell (another Christian concept), pitchforks, demons, torture, bargaining with people's souls, cannibalism, sacrifices, or other profoundly evil deeds. The following tenets are commonly accepted by all traditions of religious Satanism.
* Satan is respected as a principle rather than a deity. Followers do not worhsip him, just as Buddhists do not worship Buddha.
* Emphasis is placed in the power of the individual, rather than in a god or goddess.
* Each person is their own redeemer, and fully responsible for all actions and consequences.
* Satanists respect life and view children and animals to be the purest form of life-force. Therefore, children and animals are not abused nor killed.
* Those who believe in Satan or Set, and a living entity do not worship him, but engage in a working partnership with him. (Unlike Christians, who worship and pray to their God.)
* Satanists believe that one should live life to the fullest, and encourage the individual to explore his lusts and desires.
* Satanists follow many rules, beliefs, and practices that contradict Christianity and most other religions.
* Uniqueness and creativity are encouraged.
* Many Satanists use as their main symbol the Sigil of Baphomet. It is a goat's head, drawn within an inverted pentacle (a five-pointed star with one point downward and two up, enclosed by a circle). Some sources say that it is a registered trademark of the Church of Satan. It is not; it first was used in the nineteenth century.
Satanists have occasionally engaged in a Black Mass for publicity purposes, in which the Roman Catholic Mass is ridiculed. But, otherwise, their rituals have no connection to those of Christianity.
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