The Cult of Cthulhu is a legally-recognized religion in the United States. It was established in 2008 by High Priest Venger Satanis (also known as Darrick Dishaw). In this excerpt from the Cult of Cthulhu Bible, Satanis explains the origins of his religious beliefs:
“The Cult of Cthulhu shall never die. Its untenable spirit, unearthly and ichorous, is spreading far and wide through the Matrix-esque reality program that we are immersed in. As you read these words, try to wake up from the illusions surrounding you.
… Cthulhu Cult is the integration of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos, Satanism, Chaos Magic, the Fourth Way, and other Left Hand Path traditions. It is also the fruition of my special plan: to see this world’s flaws, to understand why they exist, and then finally… to overcome them!
Years ago, I knew that humanity was on the wrong track, and this horrid green tome corrects the mistake of man… before us rushes a new flood of reason. When the Old Ones return, this world shall drown before Their might. The ordinary, everyday reality we believe in does not exist. Many human beings already sense this truth, but only the most blasphemous of Black Magicians can use it to their advantage. Cthulhu Cult reveals this loathsome knowledge to any and all who wish to absorb our cryptic, blasphemous truth.”
– Venger Satanis, Cult of Cthulhu Bible