Magic
Magic, as defined by Satanism, is "the change in situations or events in accordance with one's will, which would, using normally accepted methods, be unchangeable." This definition incorporates two kinds of magic: Lesser Magic (manipulative) and Greater Magic (ritual). Satanism, however, draws no distinction between White and Black magic which correlates with its view of an impersonal universe.
Lesser Magic
Lesser Magic is a system of manipulation that mainly involves three main themes of sex, sentiment, and wonder. On this point, Anton LaVey seems to take inspiration from a book on photography called The Command to Look. Lesser magic capitalizes on these themes, prompting Satanists to expand on whichever themes they naturally fall under.
LaVey later expanded his system of manipulation in The Satanic Witch. The book was written from the woman's perspective because LaVey believed that women could more fully apply his concepts, but much of the book can be applied by men also. He relates ideas worked out from watching the proprietors of carnival stalls and fortune tellers in their manipulation of customers. The Satanic Witch also proposes The LaVey Synthesizer Clock, a form of soma typing that adds a fourth body type, the "feminine." The synthesizer is used in identification of personality in order to know how best to manipulate a person through traits often associated with their types and what LaVey referred to as their "demonic" personality, or their opposite on the clock.
Greater Magic
Greater Magic involves ritual and ceremony in order to focus one's emotional energy for a specific purpose. Satanic ritual is highly variable, with a basic format given in The Satanic Bible. Satanists are encouraged to use whatever elements that suit them in order to bring them to an emotional height. It must be noted that the Church of Satan claims that a better mastery of Lesser Magic will contribute to a better mastery of Greater Magic.
The ritual room is referred to as an "intellectual decompression chamber." Disbelief is temporarily suspended and the magician is encouraged to best express themself and not hold back on what they may be feeling. Also, it is notable that Satanism draws a line at the participants, stating that a successful working is more likely with a few Satanists who are concentrated on what they are doing than many who may be distracted.
Greater magic is most commonly divided into three categories: Destruction, lust, and compassion. Each is considered a basic motivation for all actions, and Satanic ritual is said to fall into these three categories. LaVey elaborates on methods for focusing these motivations. For destruction, one can either act out or destroy a person symbolically in order to vent their anger and hatred. Lust rituals involve masturbation and orgasmic overtones. Compassion rituals concern sadness and crying is encouraged. Overall, full self expression is encouraged in Satanic ritual.
Much emphasis is placed on evocation and music. The last part of The Satanic Bible is dedicated to invocations and the nineteen Enochian Keys, originally written by John Dee. Music is encouraged because it is said to easily manipulate one's emotions, which contributes to the overall success of the rituals.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
The Black Mass
No other single device has been associated with Satanism as much as the black mass. To say
The Black Mass
The "Black Mass", a symbolic opposition of the church used in the past, but are not used in the current day by Satanists, as Anton LaVey explained in an interview with Occult America.[14]
"He did not, however, go along with the dramatization of evil as performed in the original Black Mass. “Those,” he explained, “were psychodramas at a time when people needed them. They had to express their opposition, their rebellion against an established church. Our rituals are suitably modified to express the needs of our particular era.”
Anton LaVey stated in The Satanic Bible (The chapter in the Book of Lucifer called The Black Mass):
"The usual assumption is that the Satanic ceremony or service is always called a black mass. A black mass is not the magical ceremony practiced by Satanists. The Satanist would only employ the use of a black mass as a form of psychodrama. Furthermore, a black mass does not necessarily imply that the performers of such are Satanists. A black mass is essentially a parody of the religious service of the Roman Catholic Church, but can be loosely applied to a satire on any religious ceremony." LaVey went on to call it a redundancy, and it is commonly misinterpreted that the Church of Satan has performed actual Black Masses, however using baby-fat candles and kissing the devil's buttocks (both are common practices outlined in the chapter) would be both contradictory and hypocritical for a Satanist to do. In the 1950s Anton LaVey held a magic circle, or coven, at his home for a charge before the legendary event of shaving his head and announcing Anno Satanas. Afterwards, the prominent members of The Church of Satan held 'High Mass' on Friday nights at The Black House, as verified in the Occult America interview aforementioned. The videos and articles of the rituals and Satanic Marriage performed there are legendary
The Black Mass
The "Black Mass", a symbolic opposition of the church used in the past, but are not used in the current day by Satanists, as Anton LaVey explained in an interview with Occult America.[14]
"He did not, however, go along with the dramatization of evil as performed in the original Black Mass. “Those,” he explained, “were psychodramas at a time when people needed them. They had to express their opposition, their rebellion against an established church. Our rituals are suitably modified to express the needs of our particular era.”
Anton LaVey stated in The Satanic Bible (The chapter in the Book of Lucifer called The Black Mass):
"The usual assumption is that the Satanic ceremony or service is always called a black mass. A black mass is not the magical ceremony practiced by Satanists. The Satanist would only employ the use of a black mass as a form of psychodrama. Furthermore, a black mass does not necessarily imply that the performers of such are Satanists. A black mass is essentially a parody of the religious service of the Roman Catholic Church, but can be loosely applied to a satire on any religious ceremony." LaVey went on to call it a redundancy, and it is commonly misinterpreted that the Church of Satan has performed actual Black Masses, however using baby-fat candles and kissing the devil's buttocks (both are common practices outlined in the chapter) would be both contradictory and hypocritical for a Satanist to do. In the 1950s Anton LaVey held a magic circle, or coven, at his home for a charge before the legendary event of shaving his head and announcing Anno Satanas. Afterwards, the prominent members of The Church of Satan held 'High Mass' on Friday nights at The Black House, as verified in the Occult America interview aforementioned. The videos and articles of the rituals and Satanic Marriage performed there are legendary
Criticisms and the lies spread about The Satanic religon
Criticisms
A common criticism of Satanism is that it is reactionary and an invention of the Christian churches. It is thought that because of its chief symbol is that of the enemy in Christianity, it is a reaction against what were social problems at the time, rather than a positive growth. This also relates to the rebellion factor that is commonly associated with adolescents who claim to be Satanists
The symbol of Satan is criticized as deliberately confrontational. Often it is cited as being purely for shock value and having no real purpose whatsoever.Some who agree with the philosophy of Satanism, fall short of calling themselves Satanists because it is seen as simply a rebellion against Christianity and not a valid, stand alone set of ideas. It has also been suggested that much of the power of Satanism was in shock which has waned since the 1960s.Satanism is also criticized as a recycled version of older ideas such as existentialism and perhaps individualism. LaVey has described his Satanism as "just Ayn Rand's philosophy with ceremony and ritual added" . Critics have suggested that LaVey simply took the philosophy of Satanism from Rand and Friedrich Nietzsche, adding on the symbol of Satan and watered down versions of magical ideas taken from Aleister Crowley.
A common criticism of Satanism is that it is reactionary and an invention of the Christian churches. It is thought that because of its chief symbol is that of the enemy in Christianity, it is a reaction against what were social problems at the time, rather than a positive growth. This also relates to the rebellion factor that is commonly associated with adolescents who claim to be Satanists
The symbol of Satan is criticized as deliberately confrontational. Often it is cited as being purely for shock value and having no real purpose whatsoever.Some who agree with the philosophy of Satanism, fall short of calling themselves Satanists because it is seen as simply a rebellion against Christianity and not a valid, stand alone set of ideas. It has also been suggested that much of the power of Satanism was in shock which has waned since the 1960s.Satanism is also criticized as a recycled version of older ideas such as existentialism and perhaps individualism. LaVey has described his Satanism as "just Ayn Rand's philosophy with ceremony and ritual added" . Critics have suggested that LaVey simply took the philosophy of Satanism from Rand and Friedrich Nietzsche, adding on the symbol of Satan and watered down versions of magical ideas taken from Aleister Crowley.
Satanic Holidays
Satanic holidays
The most important holiday in Satanism is one's own birthday, as it is the birthdate of one's own god. This is as a reminder that to a Satanist, you are the most important being in the universe, and to honor your own vital existence and your life. LaVey recommends that a Satanist celebrate their own birthday in any way they choose, with as much pomp and ceremony as they see fit. The Satanic celebration of the birthday can also be seen as a mockery of the holidays commemorating the birth of various gods or saints in other religions.
Three Satanic holidays are named by Anton LaVey in The Satanic Bible but are not considered sacred.
One among these holidays is Walpurgisnacht, which in addition to the occult significance the date carries, also marks the formation of the Church of Satan in the year 1966, or I Annos Satanas. This date is commonly celebrated by Satanists with private or group rituals, and private parties or family celebrations to commemorate the foundation of the Church of Satan.
LaVey also mentions the summer and winter solstices, and the spring and fall equinoxes as lesser holidays. These are likewise often celebrated by ritual or private party; however, they are sometimes also used to substitute popular holidays that Satanists wish to avoid imparting a Christian overtone to but still wish to celebrate in some form.
Halloween is very commonly celebrated by Satanists, but typically there is far less occult significance attached to the date by Satanists than the public might imagine. Halloween is a popular date for both private and group ritual ceremonies, but also a popular date for Satanists to hold private parties for no other purpose than to enjoy the dark fun that is commonly celebrated on that date by the public at large. If anything, Satanists seem to take a sense of irony and humor in the holiday.
Satanism does not specifically forbid the celebration of any holidays or festivals held by other cultures or even other religions. Entirely secular holidays are commonly celebrated by Satanists either for personal reasons or merely as an excuse to have a good time. It is not entirely uncommon for Satanists to even celebrate overtly Christian holidays such as Christmas, though the religious trappings are generally stripped from the holiday, secularizing it. Many Satanists, however, either transfer such holidays as Christmas to the Winter Solstice and either place a darker spin on it or secularize it entirely, or decline to celebrate such holidays altogether.
Of recent note, June 6th, 2006 marked a Satanic High Mass in Hollywood, California by the Church of Satan. This celebration was by invitation only and limited to 100 attendees, and was held in large part to mock the superstitious fear of the date by the public. The date 06/06/06 does not hold special religious significance in Satanism, nor does the number 666. The event was documented, and many members of the Church of Satan were interviewed, by the BBC with permission.
The most important holiday in Satanism is one's own birthday, as it is the birthdate of one's own god. This is as a reminder that to a Satanist, you are the most important being in the universe, and to honor your own vital existence and your life. LaVey recommends that a Satanist celebrate their own birthday in any way they choose, with as much pomp and ceremony as they see fit. The Satanic celebration of the birthday can also be seen as a mockery of the holidays commemorating the birth of various gods or saints in other religions.
Three Satanic holidays are named by Anton LaVey in The Satanic Bible but are not considered sacred.
One among these holidays is Walpurgisnacht, which in addition to the occult significance the date carries, also marks the formation of the Church of Satan in the year 1966, or I Annos Satanas. This date is commonly celebrated by Satanists with private or group rituals, and private parties or family celebrations to commemorate the foundation of the Church of Satan.
LaVey also mentions the summer and winter solstices, and the spring and fall equinoxes as lesser holidays. These are likewise often celebrated by ritual or private party; however, they are sometimes also used to substitute popular holidays that Satanists wish to avoid imparting a Christian overtone to but still wish to celebrate in some form.
Halloween is very commonly celebrated by Satanists, but typically there is far less occult significance attached to the date by Satanists than the public might imagine. Halloween is a popular date for both private and group ritual ceremonies, but also a popular date for Satanists to hold private parties for no other purpose than to enjoy the dark fun that is commonly celebrated on that date by the public at large. If anything, Satanists seem to take a sense of irony and humor in the holiday.
Satanism does not specifically forbid the celebration of any holidays or festivals held by other cultures or even other religions. Entirely secular holidays are commonly celebrated by Satanists either for personal reasons or merely as an excuse to have a good time. It is not entirely uncommon for Satanists to even celebrate overtly Christian holidays such as Christmas, though the religious trappings are generally stripped from the holiday, secularizing it. Many Satanists, however, either transfer such holidays as Christmas to the Winter Solstice and either place a darker spin on it or secularize it entirely, or decline to celebrate such holidays altogether.
Of recent note, June 6th, 2006 marked a Satanic High Mass in Hollywood, California by the Church of Satan. This celebration was by invitation only and limited to 100 attendees, and was held in large part to mock the superstitious fear of the date by the public. The date 06/06/06 does not hold special religious significance in Satanism, nor does the number 666. The event was documented, and many members of the Church of Satan were interviewed, by the BBC with permission.
Membership
Membership
LaVeyan SatanismAssociated organizationsThe Church of SatanFirst Satanic Church
Prominent figuresAnton LaVey Blanche Barton Peter H. Gilmore Peggy Nadramia Karla LaVey
Associated conceptsLeft-Hand Path Pentagonal Revisionism Suitheism Might is Right Lex talionis
Books and publicationsThe Satanic Bible The Satanic Rituals The Satanic Witch The Devil's Notebook Satan Speaks! The Black Flame The Church of Satan The Secret Life of a Satanist The Satanic Scriptures
The Church of Satan has two types of members: Registered Members and Active Members. Registered Members are simply people who have been inducted as members of the Church, and there are no requirements to achieve this position. To be deemed an Active Member, a person has to be involved with the Church and local members. Active Membership is divided into five Degrees:
~ First Degree - Satanist
~ Second Degree - Warlock/Witch
~ Third Degree - Priest/Priestess
~ Fourth Degree - Magister/Magistra
~ Fifth Degree - Magus/Maga
Active Members begin at the First Degree. One must apply and be approved for an Active Membership, and this is subject to one's answers to a lengthy series of questions. One cannot apply for higher Degrees, and the requirements for each degree are not open to the public. Promotion to a higher degree is by invitation only. Members of the Third through Fifth degrees constitute the Priesthood and may be addressed as "Reverend." Members of the Fifth degree may also be known as "Doctor."
Individuals seeking membership must be legally defined as adults in their nation of residence. The only exception made is for children of members who demonstrate an understanding of the Church philosophy and practices who wish to join. Their participation is limited until they reach legal adulthood.
Registering as a Member
The Church of Satan does not solicit membership. Those who wish to affiliate can become a Registered Member for a one-time registration fee of two hundred dollars ($200) in United States currency. Affiliates receive a red card declaring them as a member of the Church of Satan to other members.
Dis-affiliation
Church of Satan members may resign and terminate their affiliation at any time by sending a written, dated, and signed letter stating “I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Satan,” along with their membership card, to the Central Administrative Office, and their file will be closed.
Administrative termination
Memberships may be terminated at the discretion of the ruling body of the Church of Satan consisting of the High Priest, the High Priestess and the Council of Nine.
Agents
The Church of Satan authorizes some Active Members as Agents, qualified to represent the Church of Satan and to explain the philosophy of Satanism to the media and other interested parties.
Priesthood
Members of the Priesthood act as spokespersons for the philosophy of the Church of Satan, which include the titles of “Priest”/“Priestess,” “Magister”/“Magistra,” “Magus”/“Maga.” Members of the Priesthood make up the Council of Nine, which is the ruling body of the Church of Satan. The Order of the Trapezoid consists of the individuals who assist in the administration of the Church of Satan. The High Priest and Priestess act as administrative chiefs and primary public representatives; each position (High Priest and High Priestess) is held by a single individual at a time. The current High Priest is Peter H. Gilmore, the current High Priestess Peggy Nadramia.
The Church of Satan evaluates active members for the Priesthood by their accomplishment in society—mastered skills and peer recognition within a profession—rather than by mastery of irrelevant occult trivia. While expected to be experts in communicating the Satanic philosophy, members of the Priesthood are not required to speak on behalf of the Church of Satan, and may even choose to keep their affiliation and rank secret in order to better serve their personal goals, as well as those of the organization. Membership in the Priesthood is by invitation only.
Past & present Church of Satan Priesthood
~ Anton LaVey - Founder & High Priest 1966 - 1997
~ Diane Hegarty - Co-Founder & High Priestess 1966 - 1984
~ Zeena LaVey - Daughter of Anton & Diane, High Priestess 1985 - 1990
~ Karla LaVey - Daughter of Anton & Carole, High Priestess 1990 - 1997
~ Blanche Barton - Anton's Assistant, High Priestess 1997 - 2002, now Magistra Templi Rex
~ Peter H. Gilmore - High Priest 2001 - Present 5th Degree Magus
~ Peggy Nadramia - High Priestess 2002 - Present
LaVeyan SatanismAssociated organizationsThe Church of SatanFirst Satanic Church
Prominent figuresAnton LaVey Blanche Barton Peter H. Gilmore Peggy Nadramia Karla LaVey
Associated conceptsLeft-Hand Path Pentagonal Revisionism Suitheism Might is Right Lex talionis
Books and publicationsThe Satanic Bible The Satanic Rituals The Satanic Witch The Devil's Notebook Satan Speaks! The Black Flame The Church of Satan The Secret Life of a Satanist The Satanic Scriptures
The Church of Satan has two types of members: Registered Members and Active Members. Registered Members are simply people who have been inducted as members of the Church, and there are no requirements to achieve this position. To be deemed an Active Member, a person has to be involved with the Church and local members. Active Membership is divided into five Degrees:
~ First Degree - Satanist
~ Second Degree - Warlock/Witch
~ Third Degree - Priest/Priestess
~ Fourth Degree - Magister/Magistra
~ Fifth Degree - Magus/Maga
Active Members begin at the First Degree. One must apply and be approved for an Active Membership, and this is subject to one's answers to a lengthy series of questions. One cannot apply for higher Degrees, and the requirements for each degree are not open to the public. Promotion to a higher degree is by invitation only. Members of the Third through Fifth degrees constitute the Priesthood and may be addressed as "Reverend." Members of the Fifth degree may also be known as "Doctor."
Individuals seeking membership must be legally defined as adults in their nation of residence. The only exception made is for children of members who demonstrate an understanding of the Church philosophy and practices who wish to join. Their participation is limited until they reach legal adulthood.
Registering as a Member
The Church of Satan does not solicit membership. Those who wish to affiliate can become a Registered Member for a one-time registration fee of two hundred dollars ($200) in United States currency. Affiliates receive a red card declaring them as a member of the Church of Satan to other members.
Dis-affiliation
Church of Satan members may resign and terminate their affiliation at any time by sending a written, dated, and signed letter stating “I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Satan,” along with their membership card, to the Central Administrative Office, and their file will be closed.
Administrative termination
Memberships may be terminated at the discretion of the ruling body of the Church of Satan consisting of the High Priest, the High Priestess and the Council of Nine.
Agents
The Church of Satan authorizes some Active Members as Agents, qualified to represent the Church of Satan and to explain the philosophy of Satanism to the media and other interested parties.
Priesthood
Members of the Priesthood act as spokespersons for the philosophy of the Church of Satan, which include the titles of “Priest”/“Priestess,” “Magister”/“Magistra,” “Magus”/“Maga.” Members of the Priesthood make up the Council of Nine, which is the ruling body of the Church of Satan. The Order of the Trapezoid consists of the individuals who assist in the administration of the Church of Satan. The High Priest and Priestess act as administrative chiefs and primary public representatives; each position (High Priest and High Priestess) is held by a single individual at a time. The current High Priest is Peter H. Gilmore, the current High Priestess Peggy Nadramia.
The Church of Satan evaluates active members for the Priesthood by their accomplishment in society—mastered skills and peer recognition within a profession—rather than by mastery of irrelevant occult trivia. While expected to be experts in communicating the Satanic philosophy, members of the Priesthood are not required to speak on behalf of the Church of Satan, and may even choose to keep their affiliation and rank secret in order to better serve their personal goals, as well as those of the organization. Membership in the Priesthood is by invitation only.
Past & present Church of Satan Priesthood
~ Anton LaVey - Founder & High Priest 1966 - 1997
~ Diane Hegarty - Co-Founder & High Priestess 1966 - 1984
~ Zeena LaVey - Daughter of Anton & Diane, High Priestess 1985 - 1990
~ Karla LaVey - Daughter of Anton & Carole, High Priestess 1990 - 1997
~ Blanche Barton - Anton's Assistant, High Priestess 1997 - 2002, now Magistra Templi Rex
~ Peter H. Gilmore - High Priest 2001 - Present 5th Degree Magus
~ Peggy Nadramia - High Priestess 2002 - Present
History
History
During the Inquisitions, the term satanic was applicable to anyone accused of witchcraft, though historical investigation reveals no evidence that any group of actual devil worshippers or witches as described by inquisitors ever existed.
On Walpurgisnacht of 1966, Anton Szandor LaVey began the Church of Satan. Beforehand, he had given lectures from his home, the infamous Black House, charging two dollars for admittance. He formed a "Magic Circle" with his closest associates, experimenting with ceremonial magic. It was suggested to LaVey that he had enough material to start an organized religion.
The Church of Satan is an organization for those who practice self-preservation as articulated in The Satanic Bible, written in 1969 by Anton Szandor LaVey.
It is described by its high priest as being a religion of anti-Christian atheists who do not actually believe in God, Satan, or an afterlife. Therefore, people should enjoy their current life and live it to the fullest.
Wikinews has related news:
Satanism: An interview with Church of Satan High Priest Peter Gilmore
The Church of Satan was established in San Francisco, California, on April 30, 1966 by Anton Szandor LaVey, who was the Church's High Priest until his death in 1997.
The Church of Satan attracted a lot of publicity. Its use of nude women as altars and performances of a Satanic wedding and funeral service brought it a lot of attention. Anton LaVey shaved his head and wore a white clerical collar, sometimes even wearing horns to complete the image of the Devil incarnate. His flamboyant personality attracted many followers and admirers.
In the 1950s, Anton LaVey, formed a group called the Order of the Trapezoid, which later evolved into the governing body of the Church of Satan. Those involved, or who attended LaVey’s activities included: “The Baroness” Carin de Plessen (who grew up in a Royal Palace in Denmark), Dr. Cecil Nixon (magician, eccentric, and maker of automatons), underground filmmaker Kenneth Anger, City Assessor Russell Wolden, Donald Werby (one of San Francisco’s most influential property owners), anthropologist Michael Harner, and writer Shana Alexander. Other LaVey associates from this time period include noted Science Fiction and Horror writers Anthony Boucher, August Derleth, Robert Barbour Johnson, Reginald Bretnor, Emil Petaja, Stuart Palmer, Clark Ashton Smith, Forrest J. Ackerman, and Fritz Leiber Jr.
In the first year of its foundation, Anton LaVey and the Church of Satan attracted considerable media attention by publicly performing a Satanic marriage of Judith Case and radical journalist John Raymond. The ceremony was photographed by Joe Rosenthal, who took the famous photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima during World War II. Another event was the public funeral of Church of Satan member and Naval Officer Edward Olson, at the request of his wife.
The Church of Satan was mentioned in many books and was the subject of multiple magazine and newspaper articles during the 1960s and 1970s. It was also the subject of a full-length documentary, Satanis (1970). LaVey also appeared in Kenneth Anger’s film Invocation of my Demon Brother, acted as technical adviser on The Devil's Rain, which starred Ernest Borgnine, William Shatner, and introduced John Travolta. The Church of Satan was also featured in a segment of Luigi Scatini’s film Angeli Blanca, Angeli Negra, released in the United States as "Witchcraft ‘70".
“
"Satanism begins with atheism. We begin with the universe and say, 'It’s indifferent. There’s no God, there’s no Devil. No one cares!'
”
—High Priest Peter H. Gilmore,
In 1975, LaVey created controversy within the Church of Satan by phasing out the Church’s “Grotto” system and eliminating people he thought were using the Church as a substitute for accomplishment in the outside world. Thereafter, conventional achievement in society would be the criterion for advancement within the Church of Satan. At the same time, LaVey became more selective in granting interviews. This shift to “closed door” activities resulted in some rumors of the Church’s demise, and even rumors of LaVey’s death.
In the 1980s, voices including Christians, therapists specializing in recovered memories, and the media renewed concerns of criminal conspiracies relating to the Church of Satan. Members of the Church of Satan, such as Peter H. Gilmore, Peggy Nadramia, Boyd Rice, Adam Parfrey, Diabolos Rex, and musician King Diamond, were active in media appearances to refute allegations of criminal activity. The FBI would later issue an official report refuting the criminal conspiracy theories of this time. This phenomenon became known as “The Satanic Panic.”
In the 1980s and '90s, the Church of Satan and its members were very active in producing movies, music, films, and magazines devoted to Satanism. Most notably Adam Parfrey’s Feral House publishing, the music of Boyd Rice, and the films of Nick Bougas, including his documentary Speak of the Devil: The Canon of Anton LaVey. The Church of Satan and Anton LaVey were also the subject of numerous magazine and news articles during this time.
After Anton Szandor LaVey's death, his position as head of the Church of Satan passed on to his common law wife, Blanche Barton. To this day, Barton remains involved in the Church; however, in 2001 she ceded her position to long-time members Peter H. Gilmore and Peggy Nadramia, the current High Priest and High Priestess and publishers of The Black Flame, the official magazine of The Church of Satan. The Central Office of the Church of Satan has also moved from San Francisco to New York City's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, where the couple resides. The Church of Satan does not recognize any other organizations as holding legitimate claim to Satanism and its practice, though it does recognize that one need not be a member of the Church of Satan to be a Satanist.
Many famous figures have at one time or another been publicly associated with the Church of Satan, including Kenneth Anger, King Diamond, Teresa Hidy, David Vincent, Marilyn Manson,Aaron Joehlin, Boyd Rice, Marc Almond, Alkaline Trio guitarist and singer Matt Skiba and drummer Derek Grant, professional wrestler Balls Mahoney, professional wrestler Sterling James Keenan, journalist Michael Moynihan, Death Metal Lead Guitarist Matthew McRaith, Sammy Davis Jr.. and the artist Coop. As the Church of Satan does not publicly release membership information, it is not known how many members belong to the Church.
On June 6, 2006, The Church of Satan held the first public ritual Satanic Mass in 40 years at the Steve Allen Theater in the Center for Inquiry in Los Angeles. The ritual, based on the rites outlined in The Satanic Bible and The Satanic Rituals, was conducted by Reverend Bryan Moore and Priestess Heather Saenz.
In December of 2007, the Associated Press reported on a story concerning the Church of Satan, in which a teenager had sent an e-mail to the administration stating he wanted to "kill in the name of our unholy lord Satan." Further re-affirming their pro law standpoint, the Church reported the message to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which then informed local police who arrested the teenager.
During the Inquisitions, the term satanic was applicable to anyone accused of witchcraft, though historical investigation reveals no evidence that any group of actual devil worshippers or witches as described by inquisitors ever existed.
On Walpurgisnacht of 1966, Anton Szandor LaVey began the Church of Satan. Beforehand, he had given lectures from his home, the infamous Black House, charging two dollars for admittance. He formed a "Magic Circle" with his closest associates, experimenting with ceremonial magic. It was suggested to LaVey that he had enough material to start an organized religion.
The Church of Satan is an organization for those who practice self-preservation as articulated in The Satanic Bible, written in 1969 by Anton Szandor LaVey.
It is described by its high priest as being a religion of anti-Christian atheists who do not actually believe in God, Satan, or an afterlife. Therefore, people should enjoy their current life and live it to the fullest.
Wikinews has related news:
Satanism: An interview with Church of Satan High Priest Peter Gilmore
The Church of Satan was established in San Francisco, California, on April 30, 1966 by Anton Szandor LaVey, who was the Church's High Priest until his death in 1997.
The Church of Satan attracted a lot of publicity. Its use of nude women as altars and performances of a Satanic wedding and funeral service brought it a lot of attention. Anton LaVey shaved his head and wore a white clerical collar, sometimes even wearing horns to complete the image of the Devil incarnate. His flamboyant personality attracted many followers and admirers.
In the 1950s, Anton LaVey, formed a group called the Order of the Trapezoid, which later evolved into the governing body of the Church of Satan. Those involved, or who attended LaVey’s activities included: “The Baroness” Carin de Plessen (who grew up in a Royal Palace in Denmark), Dr. Cecil Nixon (magician, eccentric, and maker of automatons), underground filmmaker Kenneth Anger, City Assessor Russell Wolden, Donald Werby (one of San Francisco’s most influential property owners), anthropologist Michael Harner, and writer Shana Alexander. Other LaVey associates from this time period include noted Science Fiction and Horror writers Anthony Boucher, August Derleth, Robert Barbour Johnson, Reginald Bretnor, Emil Petaja, Stuart Palmer, Clark Ashton Smith, Forrest J. Ackerman, and Fritz Leiber Jr.
In the first year of its foundation, Anton LaVey and the Church of Satan attracted considerable media attention by publicly performing a Satanic marriage of Judith Case and radical journalist John Raymond. The ceremony was photographed by Joe Rosenthal, who took the famous photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima during World War II. Another event was the public funeral of Church of Satan member and Naval Officer Edward Olson, at the request of his wife.
The Church of Satan was mentioned in many books and was the subject of multiple magazine and newspaper articles during the 1960s and 1970s. It was also the subject of a full-length documentary, Satanis (1970). LaVey also appeared in Kenneth Anger’s film Invocation of my Demon Brother, acted as technical adviser on The Devil's Rain, which starred Ernest Borgnine, William Shatner, and introduced John Travolta. The Church of Satan was also featured in a segment of Luigi Scatini’s film Angeli Blanca, Angeli Negra, released in the United States as "Witchcraft ‘70".
“
"Satanism begins with atheism. We begin with the universe and say, 'It’s indifferent. There’s no God, there’s no Devil. No one cares!'
”
—High Priest Peter H. Gilmore,
In 1975, LaVey created controversy within the Church of Satan by phasing out the Church’s “Grotto” system and eliminating people he thought were using the Church as a substitute for accomplishment in the outside world. Thereafter, conventional achievement in society would be the criterion for advancement within the Church of Satan. At the same time, LaVey became more selective in granting interviews. This shift to “closed door” activities resulted in some rumors of the Church’s demise, and even rumors of LaVey’s death.
In the 1980s, voices including Christians, therapists specializing in recovered memories, and the media renewed concerns of criminal conspiracies relating to the Church of Satan. Members of the Church of Satan, such as Peter H. Gilmore, Peggy Nadramia, Boyd Rice, Adam Parfrey, Diabolos Rex, and musician King Diamond, were active in media appearances to refute allegations of criminal activity. The FBI would later issue an official report refuting the criminal conspiracy theories of this time. This phenomenon became known as “The Satanic Panic.”
In the 1980s and '90s, the Church of Satan and its members were very active in producing movies, music, films, and magazines devoted to Satanism. Most notably Adam Parfrey’s Feral House publishing, the music of Boyd Rice, and the films of Nick Bougas, including his documentary Speak of the Devil: The Canon of Anton LaVey. The Church of Satan and Anton LaVey were also the subject of numerous magazine and news articles during this time.
After Anton Szandor LaVey's death, his position as head of the Church of Satan passed on to his common law wife, Blanche Barton. To this day, Barton remains involved in the Church; however, in 2001 she ceded her position to long-time members Peter H. Gilmore and Peggy Nadramia, the current High Priest and High Priestess and publishers of The Black Flame, the official magazine of The Church of Satan. The Central Office of the Church of Satan has also moved from San Francisco to New York City's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, where the couple resides. The Church of Satan does not recognize any other organizations as holding legitimate claim to Satanism and its practice, though it does recognize that one need not be a member of the Church of Satan to be a Satanist.
Many famous figures have at one time or another been publicly associated with the Church of Satan, including Kenneth Anger, King Diamond, Teresa Hidy, David Vincent, Marilyn Manson,Aaron Joehlin, Boyd Rice, Marc Almond, Alkaline Trio guitarist and singer Matt Skiba and drummer Derek Grant, professional wrestler Balls Mahoney, professional wrestler Sterling James Keenan, journalist Michael Moynihan, Death Metal Lead Guitarist Matthew McRaith, Sammy Davis Jr.. and the artist Coop. As the Church of Satan does not publicly release membership information, it is not known how many members belong to the Church.
On June 6, 2006, The Church of Satan held the first public ritual Satanic Mass in 40 years at the Steve Allen Theater in the Center for Inquiry in Los Angeles. The ritual, based on the rites outlined in The Satanic Bible and The Satanic Rituals, was conducted by Reverend Bryan Moore and Priestess Heather Saenz.
In December of 2007, the Associated Press reported on a story concerning the Church of Satan, in which a teenager had sent an e-mail to the administration stating he wanted to "kill in the name of our unholy lord Satan." Further re-affirming their pro law standpoint, the Church reported the message to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which then informed local police who arrested the teenager.
LaVeyan Satanism
LaVeyan Satanism is a religion founded in 1966 by Anton LaVey. Its teachings are based on individualism, social Darwinism, self-indulgence, and "eye for an eye" morality, with influence from Friedrich Nietzsche and Ayn Rand, while its rituals and magic draw heavily from occultists such as Aleister Crowley. Borrowing Crowley's terminology, its adherents define Satanism as a "Left-Hand Path" religion, rejecting traditional "Right-Hand Path" religions such as Christianity for their perceived denial of life and emphasis on guilt and abstinence. Unlike Theistic Satanism, which is rejected by the Church of Satan as Christian heresy rather than Satanism, it does not literally worship Satan, but rather uses "Satan" as a symbol for people's natural inner desires.
Anton LaVey established Satanism's first and largest religious organization, the Church of Satan, in 1966, and codified Satanic beliefs and practices in the Satanic Bible in 1969. According to the Church of Satan, there are many Satanists around the world, including both members and non-members. It rejects the legitimacy of any other organizations of Satanists, dubbing them reverse-Christians and pseudo-Satanists. Although exact numbers have never been released, it has been estimated that the number of adherents is in the tens of thousands
Anton LaVey established Satanism's first and largest religious organization, the Church of Satan, in 1966, and codified Satanic beliefs and practices in the Satanic Bible in 1969. According to the Church of Satan, there are many Satanists around the world, including both members and non-members. It rejects the legitimacy of any other organizations of Satanists, dubbing them reverse-Christians and pseudo-Satanists. Although exact numbers have never been released, it has been estimated that the number of adherents is in the tens of thousands
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