Changes

Another more sociological division of Satanists:

Another more sociological division of Satanists:

*'''organized Satanism''' - these are organized, publicly known Satanic groups. They oppose criminal activity, and have well-developed theologies which they often publish electronically or in printed form

*'''organized Satanism''' - these are organized, publicly known Satanic groups. They publicly oppose criminal activity, and have well-developed theologies which they often publish electronically or in printed form

*'''dabbler Satanism''' - teenagers who turn to Satanism as a form of rebellion against their parents, school, church, etc. Generally they lack a well-developed theology. Often are involved in petty crimes such as vandalism, although occasionally have been linked to more serious criminal activity. Most of them grow out of their Satanism, although some will develop into another form of Satanism over time.

*'''dabbler Satanism''' - teenagers who turn to Satanism as a form of rebellion against their parents, school, church, etc. Generally they lack a well-developed theology. Often are involved in petty crimes such as vandalism, although occasionally have been linked to more serious criminal activity. Most of them grow out of their Satanism, although some will develop into another form of Satanism over time.

*''' 'sicko' Satanism''' - criminals, psychopathic individuals, that use Satanism as a justification for criminal activities such as murder, rape, child molestation, etc. Generally lack a developed theology. In some cases the trappings of Satanism are used to try to scare victims (especially children) into not coming forward. Most commonly are loners, or occasionally small groups

*''' 'sicko' Satanism''' - criminals, psychopathic individuals, that use Satanism as a justification for criminal activities such as murder, rape, child molestation, etc. Generally lack a developed theology. In some cases the trappings of Satanism are used to try to scare victims (especially children) into not coming forward. Most commonly are loners, or occasionally small groups

*''' 'showbiz' Satanism''' - musical and other groups who use the trappings of Satanism for artistic purposes. Sometimes this is meant seriously (e.g. the musician is an adherent of organized Satanism, and sees their art as a vehicle for spreading Satanic ideas.) In other cases, Satanism is not adopted as a belief system but rather chosen to be shocking or outrageous, or due to an artistic preference for 'dark' imagery

*''' 'showbiz' Satanism''' - musical and other groups who use the trappings of Satanism for artistic purposes. Sometimes this is meant seriously (e.g. the musician is an adherent of organized Satanism, and sees their art as a vehicle for spreading Satanic ideas.) In other cases, Satanism is not adopted as a belief system but rather chosen to be shocking or outrageous, or due to an artistic preference for 'dark' imagery

A controversial issue is the alleged existence of large scale, conspiratorial groups which practice human sacrifice, child molestation, etc., many of whose members allegedly occupy positions of power, authority or respect in their communities (such as doctors, lawyers, politicians, police officers, schoolteachers, etc.) Some believe in the existence of this form of Satanism; others view it as mythical (a "Satanic panic").

*'''conspiratorial Satanism''' - large scale, conspiratorial groups which practice human sacrifice, child molestation, etc., many of whose members allegedly occupy positions of power, authority or respect in their communities, such as doctors, lawyers, politicians, police officers, schoolteachers, etc. It is controversial whether any of these groups actually exist - many therapists believe they have treated patients who survived these groups, and individuals have come forward with testimonies of their time in them. But others view these groups as mythical (a "Satanic panic"), and believe that claims to have survived them have actually been induced by the therapists

==Organized Satanism==

==Organized Satanism==