"all you ever hear about" isn't necessarily reflective of reality. It's just an anecdote.

Except reality is what the individual sees. I see only satanists doing what I consider a bad thing. I don't see them doing what I consider a good thing. Therefore that's my reality. It's not an anecdote.

"What I've seen" is absolutely anecdotal.

Your reality is one big anecdote. And you don't hear about satanists because, A.) there are almost none of them, and B.) because they don't necessarily believe in egalitarianism the way that Christians and most other religions do. Their take is that if you want to help your fellow man, then do so, and if you don't, then don't, but you shouldn't have to feel pressured either way. So Satanism as a religion doesn't really have the same collective drive to big, good works that attract notice.

Or at least that's how I understand their position.

Listen to the Harolt the with from Art Bells coast to coast probably the only person I ever heard speak like a zelot for satan.

I have LaVey's book. Haven't finished it yet though but I agree with a lot of it.

Further, you dont brag about acts in the service of others if you choose to do them. You do not make it PR for the religion like Christians do since you are ultimately probably being selfish with your favors anyway just like every other human.

Also there are mentally ill individuals that take the term "satanist" who have a very specific anti-god beliefs and practices derived from the bible (and are, not surprisigly, often raised in abusive Christian homes). They make the news, and the gossip mills in social services circles.

The organized religion (LaVeyan Satanism, Church of Satan, etc) is distinctly anti-deity (there is no Satan diety to worship). They don't believe the bible and side with Satan like a Christian Heretic in the movies does). They reject all mythological aspects of religion and see them as societies creating symbolism for character traits that are actually quite human.

The word Satanists barely describes them (I have no idea why they took it other than for image).

Because the entire movement is tongue-in-cheek and calling yourself a worshiper of satan gets a big reaction from folks who don't understand satire.

Is the entire movement tongue in cheek? Some of them seem to take it seriously.