Satanist

/ˈseɪtənɪst/ noun

Definition

A person who follows or worships Satan, or someone who practices Satanism, a philosophy that often emphasizes individualism and rejection of religious authority.

Etymology

From 'Satan' (from Hebrew 'satan' meaning 'adversary') plus the suffix '-ist' meaning a follower or practitioner. The term 'Satanism' as an organized philosophy emerged in the 20th century, distinct from medieval religious concepts.

Kelly Says

Modern Satanism (founded in 1966) is mostly about celebrating human potential and questioning authority rather than literal devil worship—but centuries of 'Satanist' being a crime accusation shows how the word has shifted meaning dramatically based on fear and misunderstanding.

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