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Contrary to its name, LaVeyan Satanism bears no connection to the Satan depicted in the Christian Bible. In reality, followers of LaVeyan Satanism reject the existence of the devil altogether. Founded by Anton Szandor LaVey in 1966, this atheistic "religion" emphasizes self-pride, creativity, and personal power. At its heart, Satanism champions individualism and independent thought. To be recognized as a Satanist, one simply needs to adhere to a set of core principles, though formal recognition involves specific steps.
Steps to Follow
Joining the Community
Sign up with the Church of Satan. Basic membership in the Church of Satan includes a crimson identification card and requires online registration. Along with providing your personal details, a fee of $225 in US dollars is necessary to join. Additionally, you must submit a signed and dated written statement expressing your desire to become a member. All necessary forms and instructions are available on the Church of Satan's official website.
- The Church of Satan operates centrally from its New York office, with no local chapters.
- Once registered, no further fees or obligations are required.
- Ensure the safekeeping of your membership card, as it serves as your official identification within the organization.
Seek active membership. Obtain the Active Membership application form and complete the necessary details. Active members play a more prominent role in Church of Satan activities and may be called upon to represent Satanism at various events.
- Some questions on the application relate to The Satanic Bible, so ensure you are well-prepared before applying.
- Familiarize yourself with "The Satanic Scriptures" to deepen your understanding of Satanist principles and the philosophy behind the religion's founders.
- Only registered members are eligible to apply for active membership.
Advance within the hierarchy. Embody the principles of Satanism and serve as a positive representative of the church to climb its ranks. While there is no official guide to promotion, promoting the church's teachings and fostering goodwill can help you gain recognition from higher-ranking members.
- The Church of Satan has six ranks: “Registered,” “Active Member,” “Witch/Warlock,” “Priestess/Priest,” “Magistra/Magister,” and “Maga/Magus.”
- Third, Fourth, or Fifth-degree members are part of the Priesthood of Mendes and earn the title “Reverend.”
Understanding the Core Principles
Study The Satanic Bible. Written by Anton Szandor LaVey, The Satanic Bible outlines the core theories and practices of Satanism. While not mandatory for basic membership, reading it before applying is highly recommended.
- The Satanic Bible is widely available at bookstores and on Amazon.com.
- Explore works by philosophers like Friedrich Nietzsche, Ayn Rand, and Michel Foucault, which influenced The Church of Satan, to better understand its values.
Embrace the Nine Satanic Statements. These statements form the foundation of Satanist ideology and guide the lifestyle of its followers. Keep them in mind as you navigate your journey within the Church of Satan.
- Satan symbolizes indulgence over abstinence!
- Satan represents living fully rather than chasing spiritual illusions!
- Satan stands for genuine wisdom over hypocritical self-deception!
- Satan advocates kindness for the deserving, not wasted on the ungrateful!
- Satan embodies vengeance instead of passive forgiveness!
- Satan prioritizes responsibility for the responsible, not catering to emotional parasites!
- Satan views humans as animals, sometimes superior but often more destructive than four-legged creatures, due to their so-called intellectual and spiritual evolution!
- Satan celebrates all so-called sins, as they lead to physical, mental, or emotional fulfillment!
- Satan has been the Church's greatest ally, ensuring its survival throughout history!
Understand the Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth. These guidelines outline how a Satanist should live in alignment with the religion's principles. Comparable to the Ten Commandments, adhering to these rules is intended to foster personal and communal well-being. Satanism emphasizes personal fulfillment without causing harm to others, and these rules reflect that philosophy. Here are the Eleven Satanic Rules:
- Offer opinions or advice only when solicited.
- Share your problems only with those who genuinely wish to listen.
- Respect others in their space, or avoid entering it altogether.
- Deal harshly with anyone who disrespects you in your own domain.
- Refrain from making sexual advances without clear consent.
- Do not take what isn’t yours unless it’s a burden to the owner and they seek relief.
- Recognize the power of magic if it has helped you achieve your goals; denying it may result in losing what you’ve gained.
- Avoid complaining about situations you can choose to avoid.
- Never harm children.
- Do not kill animals unless for self-defense or sustenance.
- Respect others in public spaces. If provoked, demand they stop; if they persist, take decisive action.
Adhere to the Nine Satanic Sins. These sins represent behaviors Satanists are urged to avoid. Together with the Satanic Rules of the Earth, they provide a framework for living an honest and productive life. Strive to steer clear of these sins.
- Stupidity. Continuously seek knowledge and self-improvement.
- Pretentiousness. Avoid pretending to be more than you are, as it can lead to other faults.
- Solipsism. Remember that the world extends beyond yourself; treat others as they treat you.
- Self-deceit. Be authentic and avoid pretending to be something you’re not.
- Herd Conformity. Resist the urge to follow the crowd without critical thought.
- Lack of Perspective. Maintain balance and avoid letting independence cloud your judgment.
- Forgetfulness of Past Orthodoxies. Learn from history while forging your own path.
- Counterproductive Pride. While pride is valuable, avoid letting it lead to overconfidence.
- Lack of Aesthetics. Take pride in your appearance and well-being.
Embracing the Satanist Lifestyle
Embrace independence. The Church of Satan champions independent thinking as a cornerstone of its philosophy. In this context, “Satan” symbolizes the freedom of choice. You are encouraged to form your own opinions, even if they differ from other Satanists.
- Independence involves questioning your beliefs and assumptions, a practice central to Satanism.
- Make decisions based on your own judgment, not merely to align with others. True independence requires forming and standing by your own views.
Engage in rituals. Rituals, known as “Greater” and “Lesser Magic,” are practices aimed at manifesting one’s desires. Similar to meditation or yoga, they involve focusing the mind to achieve specific goals or mental states.
- Rituals don’t require specific settings like candlelight or moonlight; focus and concentration are key, and you can adapt them to your preferences.
- Greater Magic focuses on transforming your own thoughts and emotions.
- Lesser Magic involves influencing others’ thoughts and feelings through your actions.
Connect with fellow members. Historically, Church of Satan members gathered in “grottos” to socialize and discuss church matters. While these groups no longer exist formally, members still organize informal meetups, though there’s no official platform to locate them.
- Platforms like Craigslist or Backpage can help you find like-minded individuals.
- Websites such as the Satanic International Network are dedicated to connecting Satanists.
- Exercise caution when meeting new people. Verify their membership status and remember that not every Satanist will share your views or personality.
Observe Satanic holidays. The most significant holiday for Satanists is their own birthday, reflecting the religion’s focus on self-celebration. Treat your birthday as a major event and organize a grand celebration.
- Seasonal changes, such as equinoxes and solstices, are also celebrated due to Satanism’s reverence for nature.
- Halloween is embraced for its modern, self-centered spirit, which aligns with Satanic values.
- Christmas, rooted in the Pagan festival Saturnalia, is seen as a time of indulgence. Satanists enjoy exchanging gifts, feasting, and celebrating with friends.
Indulge with moderation. While the Church of Satan permits the use of legal substances, it emphasizes responsible indulgence over addiction. Compulsive behavior contradicts the church’s principles, as survival and self-control are paramount.
- Engaging in illegal substances is discouraged, as the church does not support unlawful activities, despite valuing personal independence.
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Ensure your research on Satanism comes from reliable sources. The Church of Satan’s official website provides a list of credible references.
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Keep in mind that LaVeyan Satanists are atheists and reject belief in the supernatural.
