Satanism can be divided into two main branches.

Theistic Satanism.
Aesthetic Satanism.

Theistic Satanism( also called Traditional Satanism) is the worship of Satan as a deity. It can come in many forms such as reverse christianity, which is thought to be the only Satanism. Reverse Christianity would consist of the satanist believing Jehovah exists as the bible god, and Satan as the christian devil.
Then there is a Satanism in which Satan is believed to be a modern name for other gods, such as Enki, Tiamat, Set, etc.

Sometimes, in rural areas, animal sacrifice DOES occur. However, the animals are then eaten or disposed of humanely.
Rarely, if ever, actual killings of humans happen. Usually, the killer merely uses Satanism as an excuse, and wasn't an actual Satanist.

Aesthetic Satanism is when a person uses Satan as a symbol instead of a deity. They use him to signify independence, self-indulgence, worshipping yourself as a god. And, basically, it's an excuse to act like the universe revolves around your head.

And to anyone who says Satanist are "retarded" or "Fags", someday, we'll all be laughing as your body rots six feet under. And yes, humans and all material came from star dust.

The satanic church was started in the 60's by Anton LaVey, so logic would follow that he would be able to define a satanist better than Oprah or whoever hosts Dateline or 20/20. A satanist doesn't believe in god or satan. A satanist is an atheist that believes people should be responsible for their actions.

Satanism itself addresses problems it finds with Judeo-Christian beliefs. They find that telling one's children that they should behave correctly not because its the decent thing to do but because some ridiculous land of fire will make their 'afterlife' really shitty is poor parenting.

The reason why satanists are thought of as scary people in black coats that sacrifice goats and abduct children springs from 2 sources. The first is sensationalist media outlets like Oprah and Dateline and 20/20 and all the daytime talk shows.

The second is the real reason why people believe these shows and thats the tendency of Christians to need to find evil where it doesn't exist. Christians themselves tend to be egotistical (because they only follow their faith when convenient) and like to feel more pious and self-righteous by creating an evil boogeyman that doesn't exist so they can blame society's decay on them.

Satanism is not the 'worshiping of satan' as most dumbasses tend to believe. Satanists do not believe in a higher god, and are ordinary people. They do not dress in black, and try to sacrifice living animals for 'rituals.'

These are the Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth as stated by the Church of Satan's founder, Anton Szander LaVey:

1. Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.

2. Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure they want to hear them.

3. When in another’s lair, show him respect or else do not go there.

4. If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy.

5. Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal.

6. Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the other person and he cries out to be relieved.

7. Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained.

8. Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself.

9. Do not harm little children.

10. Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food.

11. When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.

Nine Satanic Statements. Those are:

1.Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence.

2.Satan represents vital...

Free thinkers, people who can think for themselves and have faith within themselves instead of putting their lives into the hands of someone who no one knows if they really exsist.
They don't worship satan or god...or any higher power...they worship themselves...they believe they are their own god and that they are responsible for their own actions.

An adherent of any form of Satanism, a broad category of religions and worldviews all involving a favorable interpretation of "Satan." The most public form of Satanism is LaVeyan Satanism, which does not believe in or worship Satan as an actual entity, but instead sees Satan as a symbol of independence, individuality, etc. Since the late 1990's, thanks to the Internet, Satanism had diversified quite a bit. There are now more and more theistic Satanists, who do revere Satan as a deity - in most cases also associating Satan with independence, individuality, etc. Most do not see Satan as "evil" except in an ironic sense.

Spiritual Satanism, like "Traditional Satanism," differs from LaVeyan Satanism. We are aware of the existence of Satan/Lucifer as an actual being. We are not atheists! In spite of major discrepancies, the Church of Satan, founded 1966, by Anton Szandor LaVey, presently takes an atheistic stance as far as external deities are concerned, and views Satan as only an “archetype.”

Many Traditional Satanists worship Satan/Lucifer. Some acknowledge him as a friend and do not worship. We respect individuality and personal choices. One's relationship with Satan/Lucifer is up to the individual, as Satanism values free thought and individuality.

Satan is the bringer of knowledge. The goal of Spiritual Satanism is to apply this knowledge. Spiritual Satanists do not just talk the talk about becoming a god; we work at it every day. Satan and his Demons guide us to use abilities we never even knew we had. We accomplish this through power meditation.

Unlike most religions, Spiritual Satanism encourages one to question everything. Satan is the bringer of knowledge and enlightenment. Being one's personal best and exceeding limitations are the essence of Spiritual Satanism and this begins with using one's brains to their maximum potential.
Spiritual Satanism does not in any way conflict with science. We strongly encourage and support all scientific knowledge and enquiry. We are well aware humanity is dangerously behind in scientific knowledge and understanding due to centuries o...

One who acknoledges only themselves as worthy of religious worship. Opposite to buddhism, Satanism encourages in the intensification of self awareness rather than its dissolution.

Satanists do not worship Satan. The term "Satan" is only used as a historic reference to the Egyptian god Set, god of the rising sun and of consciousness. Satanism has nothing at all to do with Christianity.

someone who believes that they are they're own god and can control the path their life takes, satanists DO NOT worship satan (that is luciferism) but mearly worship themself, satanism is the most mis-understood religion there is.