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Compassionate Satanism: An Introduction to Modern Satanic Practice
Discover the benefits of nontheistic Satanism, the dynamic religion taking the world by storm! Get started with this comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide to modern Satanic practice by an experienced Satanic insider. Drawing on her years of leadership in The Satanic Temple (now with over 300,000 members worldwide), award-winning author Lilith Starr demystifies the rapidly-growing Satanic religion based on compassion, reason, and justice and provides a clear road map for building Satanic practice. Learn to tap into your own power, create your own unique, meaningful religious practice, stand up against tyranny and oppression, and find a supportive Satanic community that accepts you just as you are. With a Foreword by Lucien Greaves, Co-Founder of The Satanic Temple. Learn about:
The benefits of religion without superstition
The narrative of Satan as revolutionary hero
The Seven Tenets' system of humanitarian ethics
Reclaiming the power of the Outcast
The origin and meaning of Satanic symbols
The role of nontheistic Satanic ritual
Developing self-compassion and self-empowerment
Coming out to friends and family as a Satanist
Taking action against tyranny and injustice
Finding your local Satanic community
This extensive guide to modern Satanism also includes a collection of Satanic ritual scripts, a number of in-depth interviews with practicing Satanists, and a section on Satanic holidays. Perfect for beginners or Satanic sophisticates alike!
The benefits of religion without superstition
The narrative of Satan as revolutionary hero
The Seven Tenets' system of humanitarian ethics
Reclaiming the power of the Outcast
The origin and meaning of Satanic symbols
The role of nontheistic Satanic ritual
Developing self-compassion and self-empowerment
Coming out to friends and family as a Satanist
Taking action against tyranny and injustice
Finding your local Satanic community
This extensive guide to modern Satanism also includes a collection of Satanic ritual scripts, a number of in-depth interviews with practicing Satanists, and a section on Satanic holidays. Perfect for beginners or Satanic sophisticates alike!
439 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
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December 21, 2021For my own amusement I put it at 666 on my to-read list
July 7, 2022
I really wish this book was available when I first discovered and found an interest in Satanism. TST Satanism resonates with my core values and beliefs. Please note that this book is very much about The Satanic Temple path of Satanism so I would highly recommend if this is what aligns with your personal Satanic journey. I also really enjoyed reading the interviews from other Satanists (some of which I even know personally). This is a must read for anyone who is interested in modern non-theistic Satanism or just wants a better understanding of what The Satanic Temple is really about.
August 8, 2026
“Atheism describes what we are not. Satanism describes what we are.”
Most reasonable people, secular or not, already follow Satanic ideology regardless of their awareness of this fact. To summarize the Tenets of Satanism: fight against fascism and theocracy, respect bodily autonomy, acknowledge when you’re wrong so as to rectify your mistakes, support freedom of speech and thought, and, perhaps most importantly, be compassionate.
So, I guess I’m a Satanist, and you probably are too. In Lilith Starr’s own words, “Many people have described their first encounter with Satanism as not a conversion experience, but rather the feeling that at last they have found a name for the path they are already taking.”
With that said, the book itself is quite repetitive as far as explaining what Satanism stands for, but it gives a decent overview of the history of modern Satanism, as well as previous iterations of it. There’s also an analysis of texts like Paradise Lost, whose depiction of Satan was perceived by Romantic Satanists as a tragic hero fighting against the tyranny of the church. No doubt this mirrors modern Satanism, whose primary form of political activism is fighting for the separation of church and state, ensuring that the US, and other countries, remain or become secular democracies. “As one TST [The Satanic Temple] leader put it, ‘Activism is our form of worship.’”
In addition to the repetition, the book lacks the depth of historical analysis that I’ve read in other pieces of nonfiction, so I suspect other works with a focus on Satanism, theocracy, and Christian nationalism would likely be more informative than this, as these very books are referenced many times throughout the text. Luckily, the author provides a list of these books for further reading, so I’ll for sure check out some of them.
Along with the history of modern Satanism, the author also addresses many misconceptions of the religion. “Those who know only the Abrahamic religions have a hard time understanding how a religion can be nontheistic. For them, religion is synonymous with superstition and blind faith in an omniscient, all-powerful deity.”
Of course, placing blind faith in a deity is one of the oldest ways of controlling a population. Around 500 years ago, Machiavelli wrote in The Discourses, “It is therefore the duty of princes and heads of republics to uphold the foundations of the religion of their countries, for then it is easy to keep their people religious, and consequently well conducted and united.”
Machiavelli also stated that it didn’t matter if the religion was true; it only mattered that it was effective. What a guy.
Anyway, to expand upon the Tenets, in modern Satanism it’s important to be compassionate and have empathy for others. Reading books is one effective way of building this empathy, but I’m sure most readers already know this; the people who really need to hear this are not reading and have no plans to start. These are people who only believe what they want to believe and think they’ve figured out all of life’s secrets. To quote Lucien Greaves, “To insist that the final word has been delivered is to abandon inquiry and growth.”
In Stephen Pinker’s Better Angels of our Nature, a foundational text in modern Satanism, he argues that violence has declined over the centuries largely due to a rise in literacy. This may be true in relation to empathy, but, as put forth by Edward Bernays in his book Propaganda, universal literacy did not necessarily make people more intelligent; it just made them easier to control. So on one hand universal literacy has decreased violence, but it’s simultaneously made it easier to spread propaganda than it has ever been. This is especially relevant in an age with a 24-hour news cycle where people are constantly scrolling through their phones and being fed very specific algorithms, many of which spread nothing but misinformation at their worst and misleading stories at their best. This media apparatus has allowed people to, in the words of George Orwell, “reject the evidence of your eyes and ears.”
As a perfect example of blind faith, denial of scientific evidence, anti-intellectualism, among other things in this same vein, a 2004 Gallup creationism survey “found that a whopping 38% of adults in the United States held the view that ‘God created humans in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years.’ For these believers, scientific data showing otherwise (like the fossil record) is explained away by other means, including the belief that all the dinosaurs died in Noah’s flood, or that Satan placed fake bones in the ground to lead humankind astray.”
Some states, such as Texas, are pushing to implement the creationist narrative in science classes. I find it ironic that America is an individualist society that is simultaneously run by theocrats who do all that they can to push their beliefs onto others. We are only individualist except when it comes to religion, apparently.
Beyond the fact that creationism is in denial of reality, indoctrinating children is also dangerous and partly responsible for much of anti-intellectualism in America, among many other countries around the world.
“Those who dare to question the teachings of fundamentalist religions usually become branded as heretics and shunned by the religious conservatives in their lives. Many young people innocently raise questions about the many contradictions found in the Bible and church teachings, only to find themselves punished and, if they continue to ask questions, eventually cut off from their families and in extreme cases driven out of their homes.”
In the most extreme cases of questioning one’s religion, there are 13 countries in which atheism or apostasy are punishable by death, and there are a number of other countries where it is at least considered illegal.
To reiterate these points of anti-intellectualism while tying back to rejecting “the evidence of your eyes and ears,” Lilith Starr gives some anecdotal examples of her trying to explain Satanism to other people:
“Plenty of Christians (and some others) believe that Satanism equates with evil no matter what. I’ve had conversations with people who tell me that even if we don’t think we worship Satan, we actually do; I’ve had people read through our Tenets of compassion and justice and refuse to believe anything other than that we are evildoers. Two of the mothers in our Chapter have had strangers ask them—with a straight face—if they were raising their young children to be eaten.”
These people cannot shed their preconceptions; they cannot overcome their indoctrination; they cannot learn.
I’ll conclude this review with some quotes from our founding fathers to demonstrate that the United States is not, and never was, a Christian nation, despite what theocrats like to believe:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” — James Madison
“The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries.” — James Madison
“The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” — John Adams
Hail Satan 🤘
Most reasonable people, secular or not, already follow Satanic ideology regardless of their awareness of this fact. To summarize the Tenets of Satanism: fight against fascism and theocracy, respect bodily autonomy, acknowledge when you’re wrong so as to rectify your mistakes, support freedom of speech and thought, and, perhaps most importantly, be compassionate.
So, I guess I’m a Satanist, and you probably are too. In Lilith Starr’s own words, “Many people have described their first encounter with Satanism as not a conversion experience, but rather the feeling that at last they have found a name for the path they are already taking.”
With that said, the book itself is quite repetitive as far as explaining what Satanism stands for, but it gives a decent overview of the history of modern Satanism, as well as previous iterations of it. There’s also an analysis of texts like Paradise Lost, whose depiction of Satan was perceived by Romantic Satanists as a tragic hero fighting against the tyranny of the church. No doubt this mirrors modern Satanism, whose primary form of political activism is fighting for the separation of church and state, ensuring that the US, and other countries, remain or become secular democracies. “As one TST [The Satanic Temple] leader put it, ‘Activism is our form of worship.’”
In addition to the repetition, the book lacks the depth of historical analysis that I’ve read in other pieces of nonfiction, so I suspect other works with a focus on Satanism, theocracy, and Christian nationalism would likely be more informative than this, as these very books are referenced many times throughout the text. Luckily, the author provides a list of these books for further reading, so I’ll for sure check out some of them.
Along with the history of modern Satanism, the author also addresses many misconceptions of the religion. “Those who know only the Abrahamic religions have a hard time understanding how a religion can be nontheistic. For them, religion is synonymous with superstition and blind faith in an omniscient, all-powerful deity.”
Of course, placing blind faith in a deity is one of the oldest ways of controlling a population. Around 500 years ago, Machiavelli wrote in The Discourses, “It is therefore the duty of princes and heads of republics to uphold the foundations of the religion of their countries, for then it is easy to keep their people religious, and consequently well conducted and united.”
Machiavelli also stated that it didn’t matter if the religion was true; it only mattered that it was effective. What a guy.
Anyway, to expand upon the Tenets, in modern Satanism it’s important to be compassionate and have empathy for others. Reading books is one effective way of building this empathy, but I’m sure most readers already know this; the people who really need to hear this are not reading and have no plans to start. These are people who only believe what they want to believe and think they’ve figured out all of life’s secrets. To quote Lucien Greaves, “To insist that the final word has been delivered is to abandon inquiry and growth.”
In Stephen Pinker’s Better Angels of our Nature, a foundational text in modern Satanism, he argues that violence has declined over the centuries largely due to a rise in literacy. This may be true in relation to empathy, but, as put forth by Edward Bernays in his book Propaganda, universal literacy did not necessarily make people more intelligent; it just made them easier to control. So on one hand universal literacy has decreased violence, but it’s simultaneously made it easier to spread propaganda than it has ever been. This is especially relevant in an age with a 24-hour news cycle where people are constantly scrolling through their phones and being fed very specific algorithms, many of which spread nothing but misinformation at their worst and misleading stories at their best. This media apparatus has allowed people to, in the words of George Orwell, “reject the evidence of your eyes and ears.”
As a perfect example of blind faith, denial of scientific evidence, anti-intellectualism, among other things in this same vein, a 2004 Gallup creationism survey “found that a whopping 38% of adults in the United States held the view that ‘God created humans in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years.’ For these believers, scientific data showing otherwise (like the fossil record) is explained away by other means, including the belief that all the dinosaurs died in Noah’s flood, or that Satan placed fake bones in the ground to lead humankind astray.”
Some states, such as Texas, are pushing to implement the creationist narrative in science classes. I find it ironic that America is an individualist society that is simultaneously run by theocrats who do all that they can to push their beliefs onto others. We are only individualist except when it comes to religion, apparently.
Beyond the fact that creationism is in denial of reality, indoctrinating children is also dangerous and partly responsible for much of anti-intellectualism in America, among many other countries around the world.
“Those who dare to question the teachings of fundamentalist religions usually become branded as heretics and shunned by the religious conservatives in their lives. Many young people innocently raise questions about the many contradictions found in the Bible and church teachings, only to find themselves punished and, if they continue to ask questions, eventually cut off from their families and in extreme cases driven out of their homes.”
In the most extreme cases of questioning one’s religion, there are 13 countries in which atheism or apostasy are punishable by death, and there are a number of other countries where it is at least considered illegal.
To reiterate these points of anti-intellectualism while tying back to rejecting “the evidence of your eyes and ears,” Lilith Starr gives some anecdotal examples of her trying to explain Satanism to other people:
“Plenty of Christians (and some others) believe that Satanism equates with evil no matter what. I’ve had conversations with people who tell me that even if we don’t think we worship Satan, we actually do; I’ve had people read through our Tenets of compassion and justice and refuse to believe anything other than that we are evildoers. Two of the mothers in our Chapter have had strangers ask them—with a straight face—if they were raising their young children to be eaten.”
These people cannot shed their preconceptions; they cannot overcome their indoctrination; they cannot learn.
I’ll conclude this review with some quotes from our founding fathers to demonstrate that the United States is not, and never was, a Christian nation, despite what theocrats like to believe:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” — James Madison
“The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries.” — James Madison
“The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” — John Adams
Hail Satan 🤘
January 17, 2022
Book 9 in 2022
Title: Compassionate Satanism: An Introduction to Modern Satanic Practice
Author: Lilith Starr
Year: 2021
Genre: Nonfiction - Religion, philosopy, & politics
Page count: 439 pages
Dates read: 1/9/22-1/11/22
This book provides an introduction to the philosophy of one of the most interesting religious organizations to arise in the 21st century: The Satanic Temple. The group is fiercely individualist and left-leaning in its outlook. The author writes, "we are first and foremost a serious religion that prizes taking action to help local communities and fight for justice, and that gives us a shared purpose that each of us believes in deeply." The members all identify as atheists, using Satan as a symbol of freethinking and rebellion. They do have dogma and rituals and are officially recognized as a religion by the United States government's Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Members consider political activism to be a form of worship. They fight for liberal issues such as separation of church and state, and abortion rights. Of course, using the devil as a symbol offends the religious right, but TST members would argue that they are not offensive just for the sake of being offensive.
Title: Compassionate Satanism: An Introduction to Modern Satanic Practice
Author: Lilith Starr
Year: 2021
Genre: Nonfiction - Religion, philosopy, & politics
Page count: 439 pages
Dates read: 1/9/22-1/11/22
This book provides an introduction to the philosophy of one of the most interesting religious organizations to arise in the 21st century: The Satanic Temple. The group is fiercely individualist and left-leaning in its outlook. The author writes, "we are first and foremost a serious religion that prizes taking action to help local communities and fight for justice, and that gives us a shared purpose that each of us believes in deeply." The members all identify as atheists, using Satan as a symbol of freethinking and rebellion. They do have dogma and rituals and are officially recognized as a religion by the United States government's Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Rituals represent a powerful way to reach the unconscious, mark occasions, make a political statement, or effect personal transformation.
Members consider political activism to be a form of worship. They fight for liberal issues such as separation of church and state, and abortion rights. Of course, using the devil as a symbol offends the religious right, but TST members would argue that they are not offensive just for the sake of being offensive.
"Blasphemy with purpose." It means that one should not be contrary or offensive simply for the sake of being contrary or offensive; you should have a positive goal in mind that your blasphemy or rebellion makes a true impact towards achieving.
June 10, 2022
Good knowledge for a beginner satanist or someone who wants to broaden their mind to other religions.
I learned I’m more satanic than I thought. I’m ok with that.
I learned I’m more satanic than I thought. I’m ok with that.
October 3, 2023
Fantastic insight into what TST represents, stands for and how they help the communities around them. Highly recommend for an actual look into what living compassionately and secularly means.
October 27, 2022
The author's strong voice carries this work, which is a wonderful overview of Romantic Satanism and the modern Satanic philosophy and practices it inspired. She strikes a great balance between her personal story and educating the reader on the historical and cultural aspects of compassionate Satanism. Recommended for anyone intrigued by Satanism and Satanic history and culture.
March 29, 2024
Really enjoyed reading a bit more insight on The Satanic Temple. I became a member a while back as a way to show support for their fight against the over reach of religions and since then have fallen more in love with the community.
May 15, 2026
A short and informative read by Lilith Starr that helped me recontectualize specifically what the TST stands for.
After the conclusion of this introduction there is roughly another 200 pages of interviews, rituals and holidays to grant more perspectives from other Romantic Satanists that can shed more light into this political / religious movement of true equal rights.
After the conclusion of this introduction there is roughly another 200 pages of interviews, rituals and holidays to grant more perspectives from other Romantic Satanists that can shed more light into this political / religious movement of true equal rights.
March 21, 2024
A comprehensive guide to The Satanic Temple.
December 18, 2025
As a member, I'm finally starting to get into these studies, alongside my personal interest in other pagan things, especially druidism. With this and the millions of citations of books she has in this, it's a really good primer for everybody who is trying to learn in good faith rather than looking for excuses not to learn.
I can say this feels a hell of a lot more humanitarian than the Abrahamic dogma certain people insist are the only religions that matter/have been around. Don't let the people trying to kill critical thinking take your opportunity to read or watch stuff about so many interesting things in the world.
I can say this feels a hell of a lot more humanitarian than the Abrahamic dogma certain people insist are the only religions that matter/have been around. Don't let the people trying to kill critical thinking take your opportunity to read or watch stuff about so many interesting things in the world.
January 13, 2022
I was actually pleasantly surprised.
I bought this expecting a this little "pamphlet" but its pretty hefty.
I discovered things I didn't know about TST before and it gave me a better insight and appreciation for the organization.
I'm proud to add it to my library.
I only gave 4 stars but honestly I can't think of a thing I would've added or subtracted to make it better.
So this may be adjusted to 5 stars in the future.
I bought this expecting a this little "pamphlet" but its pretty hefty.
I discovered things I didn't know about TST before and it gave me a better insight and appreciation for the organization.
I'm proud to add it to my library.
I only gave 4 stars but honestly I can't think of a thing I would've added or subtracted to make it better.
So this may be adjusted to 5 stars in the future.
May 12, 2024
This is a fantastic, comprehensive book that does a really wonderful job of describing just what modern non-theistic satanism is or can be. It goes to great lengths to show the religion from both the position of a chapter leader but also from regular everyday practitioners. It gives good advice and gently explains common misconceptions. A great read that I will be recommending to others.
January 11, 2023
Love it! This is a good book for new Satanists or those who simply want more information. I appreciate the sources so that people know all that is said is indeed factual. Satanism to me is about being a genuine kind human unlike what Christianity/Catholicism teaches.
October 15, 2025
A solid introduction into The Satanist Temple. A refreshing read and many good ideas. I can see how this "religion" (it is nontheist and ratio-based) can appeal to many at the fringes of society, who had to deal with being an outcast. The seven tenants are sensible all in all.
Almost half of the book is about the author's or others' personal experience, which could not interest me less - then again, it might be inspiring to some.
To me, I don't see the point of a "religion" when you could just as well base your actions on rationality, justice and tolerance by itself. However, if it helps others feel connected to themselves or find a place within a caring community, I am all for it.
Almost half of the book is about the author's or others' personal experience, which could not interest me less - then again, it might be inspiring to some.
To me, I don't see the point of a "religion" when you could just as well base your actions on rationality, justice and tolerance by itself. However, if it helps others feel connected to themselves or find a place within a caring community, I am all for it.
July 24, 2023
More of an account of personal experience.
Half the book is interviews of different members and what TST means to them. The other reads like a podcast script about someone's life and introduction to TST. It does have it's good parts so don't let this review stop you from racing, learning, and coming to your own conclusion.
Half the book is interviews of different members and what TST means to them. The other reads like a podcast script about someone's life and introduction to TST. It does have it's good parts so don't let this review stop you from racing, learning, and coming to your own conclusion.
December 12, 2025
A decent primer and advice book for the practicing Satanist that makes no attempt to speak to a broader audience than the devilish choir it preaches to. This book won't change any minds of critics, but it has valuable insights from a long-time practicioner on the humanistic core of Temple Satanism.
October 11, 2022
Very concise and easy to understand history of non-theistic Satanism and it's applications in everyday life
March 22, 2023
I feel so seen, hail satan
May 29, 2023
Satanism probably isn't what you think it is.
July 7, 2023
It was an educational look into this topic. Well written.
February 22, 2024
this book will make a fantastic guide for those who are new to Satanism or simply curious about it
February 27, 2024
Excellent. Well written and easy read. Informative and knowledgeable.
March 6, 2024
Awesome read! A fresh perspective on satanism without the pretensiousness of most writings
February 3, 2025
Good overview, history and some guidance for the new Satanists and those curious. I very much enjoyed the exploration around the seven tenants.
June 19, 2025
There were some repetitive parts, but I found the sections on altar building, holidays, and especially the recommended reading very informative.
October 24, 2025
Great introduction to modern Satanic practice by Lilith Starr. I enjoyed all of the interviews in the appendix as well.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews