Modern Satanism isn’t what people think. Many people think Satanists spend their time worshiping the devil and practicing evil, but this is far from the truth. The vast majority of Satanists don’t worship the devil or even believe he exists. Junior Coen Del Castillo is a practicing Luciferian Satanist at Walter Johnson High School, which means he believes not in the devil, but instead is more of a dedicated leftwing activist.

“I became a Satanist because Luciferian Satanism is kind of cool and a fun way to protest things I am against. A few very cool groups of people are a part of it [and] Satanists have a very good sense of humor. It is more of a political group than a religion,” Del Castillo said.

Del Castillo was introduced to Satanism through a podcast called “The Last Podcast on the Left,” where one of the members is an atheist. Del Castillo agreed with a lot of the Satanist’s beliefs and decided he would look into it. Once he started researching and watched a documentary called “Hail Satan?”, he made up his mind and joined Satanism.

“I think we, as Satanists, go against people who are [against] people having rights over their own bodies, people that don’t agree with or go against letting people be who they are. For example, sexists, transphobes, homophobes, anti-semis and racists. We are also against people who don’t support freedom of believing or practicing whatever you want. Especially people that push their religion on other people and the state,” Del Castillo said.

The stereotyped Satanists that most people picture when they think of Satanists are actually part of Demonolatry, Satanic Reds, or in the church of Azazel.

“These branches of Satanism are much more niche with very few members and many of them are in Norway. Luciferian Satanism believes in Satan as a fun mascot and not anything else,” Del Castillo said.

The public’s warped view of Satanism might lead many Satanists to hide their religion from their families, but this is not the case with Del Castillo.

“My parents don’t care because they are both very liberal and know what it is and are not against it at all … my dad and mom and all extended family members are atheists,” Del Castillo said.

Many Satanists follow the Satanic Bible written by Szandor LaVey, the founder of modern Satanism. LaVey has his own branch of satanism called the Church of Satan, which is older and much less active than the Satanic Temple. Del Castillo follows the Satanic Temple but has never gone to any services or congregations; however, he is still an active follower.