I am a LaVeyan Satanist so I can say that for me it is a reflection of all my ideals and opinions wrapped up in a ln an eye opening book ,the satanic Bible. Now the common myths are that we worship Satan and that we believe there is a power we can control.
Satanism is a religion, world view and philosophy.
It is athiestic.
The religion aspect of it comes in the form of "Magic" and rituals but this is clearly spelt out as psychodramas used only for a psychological/emotional release.
It is a religion of selfish desires but also a religion of patience and temperance/modesty.
Anton spelled out a definition of the Golden rule
LaVey suggests altering it from "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" to "Do unto others as they do unto you" so that if someone is treated poorly, he or she can respond viciously. Mainly treat others as they treat you, do what you want until it violates someone else's personal space. If you ignore that then life will be harder on you.
We have a love for aesthetic and flare. Satan is the symbol for everything human carnal.
Now with Satanism it can get tricky to understand since there are splinter groups.
Real quick there is:
Athiestic Satanism: church of Satan, satanic temple
Spiritual Satanism: Luciferians and devil worshipers (these believe in an actual Lucifer or Satan)

It depends on what is meant by "Satanism" most of the things said during the 80s during the time of "Satanic Panic" was lies and over exaggeration. A modern version of the witch trials.

Now there is a Church of Satan. They use the title to draw attention from the media. They are actually atheist that are advocates for Freedom From Religion and do go to extremes to make a point.

There is a Satanic Church that has loose beliefs that are similar to some ancient Gnostics. Unlike they are portrayed they are not bent on evil, being "immoral", doing sacrifices, having orgies or anything else attributed to them. They basically hold humanist values.

Celebrates personal liberty, personal power, knowledge. Turns the Christian paradigm in its head, which makes it kinda lame IMO.

I'm a fan of the ideals, not the packaging.

Lucien Graves and The Satanic Temple are an amazing group of activits. I think they great work holding Evangelicals to the fire so to speak.

It's alive and well and residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

The same as any religion out there... people going around talking about the antichrist...hmmm... not knowing anything other then what was told to them... crazy! If you want something to catch on you have to have a bad guy putting it down for sympathy and empathy.

Makes as much sense as God based religion, just never caught on like Christianity.

It has appeared in the media in some stories. I think one was that the Royal Navy had to allow a person to practice satanism. [wnd.com]

Just so you know how popular satanism is in Uk [mirror.co.uk]

Exactly the same as any religion - nonsense. Why would it be any different?

That is a very strange religion because Lucifer translated is angel of light. I have heard in theory that because some thought differently abstractly, that they have knowledge which in turn perceived as light. So being of light, intelligence was thought of as evil.

It depends on their mission statement. As long as they have a do no harm to others and do what you want to your own body philosophy, I'm ok with it. If they want to believe in an imaginary friend called Lucifer instead of something else- fine by me.

It's fine, but they aren't going to steal us atheist's rep as baby eaters are they?

My favorite number is 666

It’s another bs fad religion for people who want to feel that they have a community and want to act in illicit ways.

Completely depends on what we're talking about here, the typical cult like portrayal of satanism or something amazing like Anton Levay's satanism?

It's as bogus as a religion as it proports a belief in a supernatural being, be it a god or a goat.

And sometimes I love these guys....

[deadstate.org]

There are a few different types of "Satanism", there is the "modern/LeVay" version, in which Satan is more a metaphor for rebellion against the staid status quo rather than an actual character. Satan in this case is more used for shock value, I believe. Then there are the "rock and roll" Satanists that tend to pull somewhat from the previous definition & sorta dabble in religious diabolism, too. & then, the "true" Satanists that truly believe the mythos & wish to celebrate the "dark side", & usually use many of the symbols & rites associated for years with this "cult".
I think they are ALL childish to a large extent, in that it seems to be a sort of nyah-nyah to the "establishment" by using a "bad" or "naughty" symbol.

So if the religion is accepted and practiced throughout the world, there are those that abuse it such as Jimmy Saville who was a protected free mason Knight of Malta practising Satanical Rituals on babies, vulnerable children and so forth.

LaVey satanism is simply a philosophical discipline that places and views humans as animal life. It is quite beautiful, actually. There are some rituals that one can partake in, but the real beauty lies in the philosophy. On top of that, no LaVey satanist actually believes that the Satan character is a real entity.

Satanism is just like godism or Jesusism...only humans have the ability to kill, maim and think what they are doing is for the greater good of Satan/God/Jesus...personally I think they just enjoy what they do and like to put a label on it....got some fun facts from a bibleist

Honestly, I know virtually nothing about it, and don't care to. Seems to me like another club of think-alikers, like most religious, or quasi-religious organizations. I have nothing against them, but neither would I want to ever join such a group.

Sometimes it is used to send a message. FFRF sometimes tries to get to give invocations to public meetings. Many use the fact we are not a religion to dismiss us. Often saying we are satanists get's things accomplished that atheists can't.

As and example, here is a fun group that actually has gotten itself recognized as a religion and been able to do things atheist can't. [venganza.org]
@silverotter11

If nothing else I admire their ability to call the Christians, who don't seem to get separation of church and state, out on their bull. I do admire them for taking a stand on those issues. If a courthouse feels the need to put up a nativity scene they should put up a smiling satan. The law much be even handed.

In terms of their doctrines I don't really care. If their members get something out of it and it isnt hurting anyone it really isnt my concern. World is a big place plenty of room for weirdos in it.

It's reported on with some relative frequency, but it is rarely portrayed accurately. Modern American Satanism is basically a group of atheists fighting for the separation of church and state. The picked Satan as a mascot because it really pisses off Christians to see a 6 foot baphomit in the park next to a crucifix. That exposes the true intention of certain Christian groups, which is to abolish the separation of church and state and establish Christianity as the offical religion of the government.