I’ve been doing a number of radio interviews lately in connection with
the release of Dr. LaVey’s latest book, Satan Speaks. There are a few
questions that seem to crop up in every interview, and I’m sure that, in
talking with friends and acquaintances, you get asked the same questions
quite often. The Satanic Bible came out in 1969 and hasn’t been out of
print for 30 years. The philosophy really isn’t that esoteric and
doesn’t take much pondering to understand. But it’s that looming figure
in the shadows, that majestic silhouette of Satan - leathery wings
outstretched, standing proudly, backlit by the flames of Hell—that
people find...disquieting. If you’re new to Satanism, or simply curious,
perhaps a brief discussion of one of the most common questions might
help you to better understand what this site is all about. Why call it
Satanism?

Dr. LaVey has answered this question many times in his writings and in
interviews but, apparently, it’s a tough concept for some people. It is
usually accompanied by, “You know, everything you say makes a lot of
sense. But that name, ‘Satan’, is a real turn-off for people. Why don’t
you just call it ‘Humanism’ or something—you’d get a lot more
followers.”

Of course, the first point is, we don’t need a lot of followers; we need
more leaders in society in general and Satanism is a philosophy of
leaders. That’s the glib answer. The more complete answer is that
Satanists find more strength in images of defiance, fortitude against
all odds and self-determination than we do in the image of the guy
hanging on the Cross. We are sickened by the complacency, hypocrisy,
prejudice, and self-righteousness that most conventional religions
(including “Wicca” and “paganism” as they are currently defined)
encourage in people. When my back is up against the wall, I’m not
strengthened by Jesus’ supposed martyrdom, or by the idea of praying and
being saved, or of mooning over some glorious afterlife (so I don’t have
to take responsibility for this one). Satanists’ scorn for such drivel
is in our hard-wiring, and we could no more “give our lives over to
Christ” than we could cut off one of our own limbs. The word “Satan” is
the first hurdle to understanding what we’re trying to get across.
Question, challenge all things, especially what you’ve been taught about
supposed enemies. Sort out the truth from convenient myths. Words are
magical and potent—use them effectively.

People have tried to dismiss Satanism, saying, “Well, Satan is only a
construction of the Christian church so Satanism is only an inversion of
Christianity. It’s still dependent on Christianity; Satanists are just
Christians who want to play bad boy.” That’s missing the broader point.
Christians didn’t invent Satan. There is always a Satan, an adversary,
in every culture. There is always the figure who represents the Dark
Side, the unexplored realms, the prideful beast who defies the norm.
God, on the other hand, generally represents conventionality,
predictability, the safety of normality, the comfort of the larger group
and the rewards of staying within the bounds of propriety. That
interaction is necessary to life and progress—not “good” versus “evil,”
but that constant interchange between a need for conventionality and a
need for risk-taking by those few who are compelled to explore the murky
regions. The blasphemers and heretics take chances, clearing the path
for others to follow. Christianity didn’t invent the idea of that
interplay any more than they invented the idea of Lucifer; they just
happen to represent the status quo at this time. So, in a
Judeo-Christian society, we call ourselves Satanists.

We create our gods, not the other way around. In a very real way, we
construct them and define them—and they, in turn, guide and define us.
We are a world of storytellers. If aliens really were studying our
various cultures on this planet, they might be quite perplexed about our
obsession with fiction. We read novels, we go to movies, we watch
fictions on television, we’ve carved them on walls for centuries—even
our history is filtered through dramatic storylines. Why? We use stories
about our heroes, our gods, our demons, our successes, failures, dreams
and nightmares in order to preserve what has happened, to communicate
our common values, to work through our common fears, to ritualize,
instruct and have fun. Humans shine when events become unconventional.
That’s the basis for all good tales. What do you do when you’re the
underdog, fighting for survival? What do you do when God is dead and
there are no rules? What kind of character or honor or sense of justice
do you really have when there’s no God to judge you, no threat of
eternity in the fiery furnace? That’s when things get interesting. Step
beyond the boundaries and see what you might find within yourself.

Thanks Shadow for taking the time to let us in on part of your belief
structure. I'd like to learn more, just out of curiosity, for my own
understanding. I like to try to understand everyone and try to respect
everyone's point of view. Can you direct me and anyone else that might
be interested to any reading materials that would give me the most
overview?

I would have thought of "satan" by its hebrew meaning of "blocking the
path". Not as a demonic "beastie". So, I would have thought of the
'Church of Satan' to be a word play with the point to 'un-block your
perspectives'. But, thats not what I understand from your posting.

Tell us more. What is it that most ppl just dont "get" regarding the
'church of satan' ?

A basic over-view of Satanism, not nessisarily of the F.C.O.S..



Satanism is a religion of the flesh. Happiness, to the Satanist, must be
found here and now. No heaven exists to go to after death and no Hell of
burning punishment awaits the "sinner". We are a practical people.
Denying things that cannot be proved by the scientific method or feasted
on by our senses, we revel in our time on earth without fearing the
punishment of the "Unseen" or the condemnation of the common man.


Satanists equate faith with blind belief. Blindly accepting a thing
without proof is folly.


Strongly attached to our family and close associations, we make
excellent friends. Strongly opposed to those who have endeavored to make
our lives miserable or cause harm to our family and friends, we are
lasting and vindictive enemies. Satanists do not believe that you can
love everyone and treat every person the same. By failing to hate you
make yourself unable to love. Feared by their enemies and loved by their
friends, Satanists build their stronghold in the community.

Isn't focusing on hedonism empty and eventually unfulfilling?