Random Ways the Church of Satan Is Similar to Christianity (19 items)

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  (#17) Church Hierarchy

  No matter how groovy your religion is or how much black you wear during your midnight mass, if you don't have an established hierarchy, your group will devolve into anarchy. The Church of Satan's hierarchy pretty much follows the Christian faith's established set of job titles, they're just a little more spooky. For instance, in the Catholic church you move up the chain of command from the laity (normal people), to deacons, priests, and so on. In the Church of Satan, you begin as a registered member and move on to witch/warlock, priest, and beyond. 
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  (#1) It's All About the Money

  Regardless of what either of the two religions preach, money plays a large role in both Satanism and Christianity. It costs $200 to join the Church of Satan (plus the cost of your copy of The Satanic Bible), and though that seems steep. most Christian churches ask that you tithe 10% of your weekly earnings. Not that you don't get anything in exchange for the cash - sermons, a place to worship (assuming you live near a Church of Satan Grotto), and a community of like minded people, for instance. 
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  (#15) There Are Famous Members of Each Religion

  Everyone knows you're not a real religion until famous people are knocking down the door of your temple. While Christianity touts members like Justin Bieber and Mark Wahlberg (among countless others), the Church of Satan has rubbed elbows with groovy Satanists like Marilyn Manson and Sammy Davis Jr. Interestingly, some people you might think are Satanists - Ozzy Osbourne, Tom Araya of Slayer - are Christians. 
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  (#11) Jesus and Satan Share a Nickname

  In various portions of The Bible, Jesus and Satan are both referred to as "the morning star" and compared to lions. Whether this was a clerical error on the part of one of the many authors and rewriters of The Bible, or a way to show the equal and opposite forces Jesus and Lucifer represent, is a question that scholars have been grappling with for decades. 
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  (#4) They Offer a Place to Gather

  One of the most confusing aspects of the Church of Satan is that their places of worship are known as grottos, not churches of temples (the Satanic Temple is a political and religious group not affiliated with the Church of Satan). More confusing still, Grotto seems to have two meanings, that of a physical space where Satanists gather, and a group of Satanists who live near one another and create a community. So, a Grotto can gather in a Grotto; it is both church and congregation.

  Still, regardless of how you slice it, both Christianity and Satanism offer members access to a like minded community and a place to gather and perform religious services. 
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  (#6) They Share a Golden Rule

  When it comes down to it, both Christianity and the Church of Satan are based on the idea of not being a dick to anyone and of taking care of yourself. Christianity has Matthew 7:12, "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." And the Church of Satan has the fourth Satanic Statement, "Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it, instead of love wasted on ingrates!" 

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