Random Thing About Two Religious Groups (12 items)

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  (#2) The Church Of Satan Believes The Satanic Temple Is More About Putting On A Show

  While the Church of Satan consists mostly of staunch hard-line social Darwinists, the Satanic Temple prides itself on the more theatrical aspects of aligning oneself with the Devil. Concerned mainly with social issues such as bodily autonomy and religious freedom, Temple members seek to go against abusive regimes and point out hypocrisy.

  Their stunts include trying to implement afterschool Satan-centric programs. Moreover, the Temple's co-founder, Lucien Greaves, said he turned a deceased Westboro Baptist Church member into a lesbian after putting his balls on her grave.

  Because the Satanic Temple does its best to stay in the press and supposedly draws an increasing number of members (they haven't provided any concrete evidence, though), they continue to draw ire from the Church of Satan.
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  (#11) The Church Of Satan Is Far Less Active Than The Satanic Temple

  While Anton LaVey and the Church of Satan kept active in the late '60s, LaVey's health began to wane, and the Church slowly left the spotlight. They still exist, but they don't get out there as much as they did in the old days. Instead, the Church has more of an online presence, a place where people with similar beliefs discuss whatever they feel like talking about in a haven of like-minded individuals.

  Lucien Greaves of the Satanic Temple told Vice he thinks the Church has lived past its usefulness in the 21st century. Moreover, he believes if either group fails to "prove ourselves to our membership," they run the risk of becoming a non-entity.

  He continued, "I believe that organizations should be measured for their effect in the real world, and should work to advance the general goals of their membership."
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  (#12) The Satanic Temple Seeks To Add Onto LaVey's History

  While the Satanic Temple thinks the Church of Satan is too settled in their ways, the former uses the teaching of Anton LaVey as a "jumping-off point" for their philosophy, according to Lucien Greaves. He noted how LaVey's teachings worked in the '60s, but now Satanists are in a "position to evaluate what’s working for us, and where we went wrong previously."

  The Church of Satan still holds fast to their original beliefs promoting a dog-eat-dog, man-against-the-world philosophy, but Greaves believes, "We do better when we work in groups, where altruism and compassion are rewarded."
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  (#9) The Church Of Satan Has A Hierarchy, But The Satanic Temple Does Not

  One internal difference between the Church of Satan and the Satanic Temple is the former's use of a hierarchy in their ranks. The Church follows a system ranging from a "Registered Member" to a "Magus/Maga," and the only way to move through the ranks involves active participation in the Church. The "administration" suggests members keep them up to date on their accomplishments so "progress may be noted."

  On the other hand, the Satanic Temple doesn't keep a ranking system. While their local chapters and various group leaders exist, they tend to form through local efforts rather than a Temple-wide decree.
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  (#5) Neither Have Official Places Of Worship

  Despite being called the Church of Satan and the Satanic Temple, neither practice boasts any churches or temples, respectively. The Church of Satan exists solely online; before the advent of the internet, the Church used the "grotto system," a loosely connected series of groups hosting meetings. However, those no longer exist. 

  The Satanic Temple does have a physical headquarters in Salem, MA, but it's less a place of worship, and more of an art gallery curating works with an anti-organized religion sway. 
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  (#7) The Church Of Satan Thinks The Satanic Temple Is Wrecking Their Brand

  The biggest gripe the Church of Satan has with the Satanic Temple isn't due to the newer group overshadowing them - it's about how they're ruining the Church's brand. Reverend Raul Antony says the Satanic Temple is "borrowing brand equity," especially since they use a name similar to the Church of Satan for their internet trolling. Furthermore, Peter H. Gilmore, a Church of Satan high priest, harshly criticized the Temple's proposed designs for a Satanic statue for the Oklahoma statehouse.

  In a more disparaging statement, Joel Ethan, a spokesperson for the Church, says because the Satanic Temple refuses to acknowledge their "shared lineage" with the Church, they are nothing more than "an intentionally misleading and baseless" group. 

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