There is often a strong religious element to these studies and beliefs , and many occultists profess adherence to religions such as Gnosticism , Hermeticism , Satanism , Thelema , and Neopaganism . There is often a strong religious element to these studies and beliefs , and many occultists profess adherence to religions such as Gnosticism , Hermeticism , Luciferianism , Satanism , Thelema , Neopaganism etc. .