"I'm tracing our movement back to its Satanic roots in the philosophies and attitudes of Machiavelli, Milton, Spencer, Rabelais, G.B. Shaw, Maugham, Nietzsche, the genre of *film noir* movies... These are all Satanic, always have been, but just might not have been labeled that yet. There has always been a genetic strain of Satanists but its just now getting to the point where we can stand up to identify ourselves and our forebears. Young people are hungy to know the philosophy of behind Satanism. Now it's time for the second wave to crest."
Augmenting his philosophy as presented in" Satanic "which
LaVey says is just as valid as it was 20 years ago, Anton sees the
Church of Satan's role now as application. "We'll follow Huey Long's directive: 'When Fascism - or Satanism - 'comes to America it will
be in the form of Americanism.'
"... There's all kinds of attention given to minority rights and
interests. White kids grow up feeling angry and resentful that
there doesn't seem to be an identity of power for them anymore. So
- there are the Skinhead factions, there's white-oriented heavy
metal, and beyond those elements - there's Satanism."
LaVey's philosophy has broad appeal. His redefinition of "Satanic"
as a descriptive word seems to encompass a theory of aesthetics
that goes beyond the dubious behavioral standards assigned to
Christianity ("It was a Christian thing to do.") "You can't say,
'That's a Christian-looking car,' or 'My, what a Christian
architectural design,' but you can say, 'That's a Satanic-looking
house,' or 'What a Satanic piece of music.' People think of
Satanism only in a religious or spiritual context because that's
all they've been told, all they can imagine. It's not, it's all-
inclusive. When a Satanist uses the general adjective, understanding the aesthetics involved, he's describing something that's innovative, diabolical, in opposition to the complacency of the masses, that's
utilizing theories of dominant mass, or Sex, Sentiment and Wonder
themes...
You can talk about Satanic motion pictures, stories,
animals - and abstracts like modes of therapy, rules of decorum,
beauty, justice. Unlike Christian ethos which is impractical
beyond the doors of a church and limited by its own scripture,
Satanism encompasses a workable lifestyle. A new generation of
Satanists can be free to do what their parents or even grandparents did, only better, more dramatically - and proudly wearing the badges of Satanism while doing it. As Satanism grows more mainstream,
whether people agree with our philosophy or not, *our* standards
and ideals will prevail."
Satanism is more akin to an ethnology than to a religion. People
who join LaVey's church feel they were born Satanists; that there
was no conscious decision involved. Reading" Satanic "for them, was more an experience of discovery than indoctrination.
LaVey agrees. "When you say, 'I'm a Christian,' you most likely
also identify yourself with a specific ethnic background aside
from that - Irish, Italian, Norwegian or something. People who
call themselves 'Satanists' generally feel alienated from any
specific ethnic origin so that it's closer to the feeling of
saying, 'I'm a Jew.' Not just that one chooses to attend a Jewish
synagogue rather than a Christian church, but rather he *is* a Jew, synagogue or not, like it or not - that's the way he was born.
It's almost as if we're identifying a new ethnic - one that's
been here all along but was never recognized before now..." Church of "by Blanche Barton, Hell's Kitchen Productions, 1990; pp. 60-1.
[again quoting LaVey]
"...the Baphomet doesn't represent a particular historical context.
You can't pigeonhole the Satanic symbol, or Satanists. It just
evokes dark, unexplained but intense primal fears. The reaction
tends to be, 'I don't know much about it but I know I should be
afraid of it.'..."
Satanism, as LaVey describes the modern philosophy, is a true
inversion of Christianity, just as it has always been accused of
being. It starts as a secular philosophy of rationalism and
self-preservation (natural law, social Darwinism, animal state)
and wraps these basically sound ideas in religious trappings to
*add* to its appeal. A Satanist enters the supernatural realm
by *choice*, with eyes open and hearts clear rather than taking
a supernatural belief as a *starting point*, like jungle primitives trying to explain lightning. Christianity foists faith in the
supernatural on believers from the word go. LaVey explains that
is one reason why any mystical religion is intellectually stifling.
"When you start with the supernatural you must end with the super-
natural - you can explore no further, unless you entirely suspend
the mystical, which is a major break. Satanists take up religious
trappings as a conscious choice because we feel it enriches our
lives and understanding.
"But we must have a firm grounding in rational thinking as a
foundation to stand on first!..."
Most people who do even a modest investigation of Satanism have
run across LaVey's Nine Satanic Statements, which he includes in" Satanic "as a general definition of what his philosophy is all about:
1. Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence.
2. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual
pipe dreams.
3. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of
hypocritical self-deceit
4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it
instead of love wasted on ingrates.
5. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the
other cheek.
6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible
instead of concern for psychic vampires.
7. Satan represents man as just another animal - some-
times better, more often worse than those that walk
on all-fours - who, because of his "divine spiritual
and intellectual development" has become the most
vicious animal of all.
8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all
lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification.
9. Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had,
as He has kept it in business all these years.
Ibid., pp. 62-4.
[same author, quoting LaVey]
"...'Responsibility to the responsible' demands that everyone must
experience the consequences of his own actions - for good or ill."
LaVey wrote a set of guidelines for Satanic justice sometime in 1967 which he called the "Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth." For
decades, he's considered these Rules to be too brutal for the
uninitiated, prefacing" Satanic "with the Statements alone.
They are edicts for the human animal, outlining the immutable law of the jungle, brought up to date in the form of Lex Satanicus - the
Law of the Satanist:
1. Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.
2. Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are
sure they want to hear them.
3. When in another's lair, show him respect or else do not
go there.
4. If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly
and without mercy.
5. Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the
mating signal.
6. Do not take that which does not belong to you unless
it is a burden to the other person and he cries out
to be relieved.
7. Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it
successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the
power of magic after having called upon it with success,
you will lose all you have obtained.
8. Do not complain about anything to which you need not
subject yourself.
9. Do not harm little children.
10. Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or
for your food.
11. When walking in open territory, bother no one. If
someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not
stop, destroy him.
[again quoting LaVey]
"... Satanists aren't out to smash justic, rather to encourage it.
The real anarchy is the *present* lawless system, in which
punishment is practically nonexistent. Convictions and sentencing
are now gaffed to protect the weak and inferior. Public floggings,
stockades in the public square, the pre-eminence of the Executioner
- all gone.
"...Satanists are true reformers, as we are true ecologists. The
epitome of the *film noir*, radio-show anti-hero - the Green Hornet, the Whistler, the Shadow, Batman - is the perfect manifestation of
Satanic justice. These are the heroes who work in the shadows, doing what officials cannot or will not do...
Ibid., pp. 85-6.
"[again quoting LaVey]
"My brand of Satanism is the ultimate conscious alternative to herd mentality and institutionalized thought. It is a studied, contrived set of principles and exercises, designed to prevent, and liberate
from, the contagion of mindlessness which destroys innovation. Here are some reasons why it is called 'Satanism:' It is most stimulating under that name, and self-discipline and motivation are easier under stimulating conditions. It means 'the opposition' and epitomizes
all symbols of non-conformity. It represents the strongest ability
to turn a liability into an advantage - to turn alienation into
exclusivity. In other words, the reason it's called 'Satanism' is
because it's fun, it's accurate and its productive."
...The religion has remained vital, evolving to match technological advances, social flux and ever-increasing worldwide membership.
From time to time, LaVey has presented his devoted followers with
statements clarifying the Satanic platform. One such policy
announcement, concerning the "Nine Satanic Sins," was presented in
1987, in the Church of Satan's house organ, *The Cloven Hoof*:
"...where other religions develop sins that people can't avoid, we
consider a number of things 'sinful' that people could avoid if they worked a little. This is the first doctrinal proclamation in over a decade and outlines some important rules for Satanic practices. It
should be understood that this in no way supercedes the Nine Satanic Statements or the Eleven Rules of Earth, but is intended to augment these principles even further:
1. *Stupidity* - The top of the list for Satanic Sins.
The Cardinal Sin of Satanism... The media promotes
a *cultivated* stupidity as a posture that is not
only acceptable but laudable. Satanists must learn
to see through the tricks and cannot afford to be
stupid.
2. *Pretentiousness* - Empty posturing can be most
irritating and isn't applying the cardinal rules of
Lesser Magic...
[NOTE: excerpted from elsewhere in the publication, the principles
of successful magic include:
Lesser Magic is the everyday magic of applied psychology,
enchantments, courtesy and manipulation - common tricks
to get people to do what you want them to do. Greater
Magic is LaVey's term for ritual or ceremonial magic.
"as a Satanist we can't afford to neglect either aspect -
the rational or bestial - but rather integrate the two,
augmenting each as much as possible."
"magic requires action as a catalyst."
"Satanists keep constant reminders of our own mortality
around, *momentos mori*, to spur us to enjoy each
moment as if it were our last."
"The essence of Satanism, and Satanic practices, is the
integration of apparent opposites. We blend magic and
rationality together, without compromising either, in
the same way we integrate different aspects of one
person into the same body.
"Satanists are superior people. To gain immortal
perspective and power, you must actively practice
isolation from the herd."
Ibid., pp. 93-9.]
3. *Solipsism* -...Projecting your reactions, responses
and sensibilities onto someone who is probably far less
attuned than you are. It is the mistake of expecting
people to give you the same consideration, courtesy
and respect that you naturally give them. They won't.
Instead, Satanists must strive to apply the dictum of
"Do unto others as they do unto you."...
4. *Self-deceit -...Another cardinal sin. We must not
pay homage to any of the sacred cows presented to us,
including the roles we are excpected to play ourselves.
The only time self-deceit should be entered into is
when it's fun, and with awareness. But that's not
self-deceit!
5. *Herd-Conformity* -...It's all right to conform to
a person's wishes, if it ultimately benefits you...
The key is to choose a master wisely instead of being
enslaved by the whims of the many.
6. *Lack of Perspective* - You must never lose sight of
who and what you are, and what a threat you can be,
by your very existence... Always keep the wider
historical and social picture in mind. That is an
important key to both Lesser and Greater Magic. See
the patterns and fit things together as you want the
pieces to fall into place. Do not be swayed by herd
constraints - know that you are working on another
level entirely from the rest of the world.
7. *Forgetfulness of Past Orthodoxies* -... this is
of the keys to brainwashing people into accepting
something "new" and "different" when in reality
it's something that was once widely accepted but is
now presented in a new package. We are expected to
rave about the genius of the "creator" and forget
the original. This makes for a disposable society.
8. *Counterproductive Pride* -... Pride is great up
to the point you begin to throw out the baby with
the bathwater. The rule of Satanism is: if it works
for you, great. When it stops working for you, when
you've painted yourself into a corner and the only
way out is to say, "I'm sorry. I made a mistake, I
wish we could compromise somehow," then *do it*.
9. *Lack of Aesthetics* -...an "eye" for... beauty,
for balance, is an essential Satanic tool and must
be applied for greatest magical effectiveness. It's
not what's supposed to be pleasing - it's what is.
Aesthetics is a personal thing, reflective of one's
own nature, but there are universally pleasing and
harmonious configurations that should not be denied.
Ibid., pp. 65-7.
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