Editing Temple of Set (section)

==Definition==

The Temple of Set is a [[new religious movement]],{{sfn|Introvigne|2016|p=346}} and draws upon earlier forms of [[Western esotericism]].{{sfnm|1a1=Petersen|1y=2004|1p=435|2a1=Faxneld|2a2=Petersen|2y=2013|2p=7}} Among academic scholars of [[religious studies]], there has been some debate as to whether the Temple of Set can be characterized as "Satanism" or not. The religious studies scholars Asbjorn Dyrendal, [[Massimo Introvigne]], [[James R. Lewis (scholar)|James R. Lewis]], and Jesper Aa. Petersen describes the Temple of Set as a Satanic group, despite its reluctance to use the term "Satanism", because it is an offshoot of the [[Church of Satan]] which continues to use satanic mythology.{{sfn|Dyrendal|Lewis|Petersen|2016|p=7}}{{sfn|Introvigne|2016|p=356}} Conversely, the scholar Kennet Granholm argued that it should not be considered a form of Satanism because it does not place an emphasis on the figure of Satan. Granholm acknowledged that it was an "actor in the Satanic milieu" and part of the wider [[Left-hand path and right-hand path|left-hand path group]] of esoteric traditions.{{sfn|Granholm|2013|p=223}} He suggested that it could also be seen as a form of "Post-Satanism", thereby continuing to reflect its historical origins within religious Satanism.{{sfn|Granholm|2009|p=87}}

The Temple of Set is far more rooted in esoteric ideas than the Church of Satan had been.{{sfn|Dyrendal|2012|p=379}} It has thus been termed "Esoteric Satanism", a term used to contrast it with the "Rational Satanism" found in [[LaVeyan Satanism]].{{sfnm|1a1=Petersen|1y=2009|1p=7|2a1=Dyrendal|2y=2012|2p=370|3a1=Petersen|3y=2012|3p=95}}  Accordingly, it has been labelled the "intellectual wing of esoteric Satanism",{{sfn|Petersen|2005|p=435}} with the Temple presenting itself as an intellectual religion.{{sfn|Schipper|2010|p=110}} Aquino possessed a Ph.D. in [[political science]] and this formal education was reflected in the way that he presented his arguments, in which he draws broadly upon Western philosophy and science.{{sfnm|1a1=Dyrendal|1y=2012|1p=379|2a1=Hume|2a2=Drury|2y=2013|2p=151}}