Satanism and the Church of Satan FAQ

History/Founder/Important persons/Saints

The father of the modern Satanic movement is Anton Szandor Lavey, who founded the Church of Satan (COS) in San Francisco in 1966. Other important people include Michael Aquino, who founded the Temple of Set (TOS) in 1975 as an alternative to the COS, and there is a popular offshoot which prefers the teachings of Aleister Crowley over those of LaVey, known as the FCOS, or First Church of Satan. Numerous other organizations exist, most founded in similar ideaology to one of the major groups.

Current Leader/Governing Body

The COS is organized into local congregations known as 'grottos,' each headed by a priest. The TOS consists of individual orders, further divided into "Pylons," and the head of the organization, or Grand Master, is elected by a council. Most smaller Satanic groups operate as covens similar to Wiccan group organization, or use "grades," initiatory levels bestowed by group leaders according to a member's percieved spiritual growth and/or ability. Theistic groups operate much like other churches, with worship, prayer, and study groups rather than organized hierarchies.

Number of Adherents

Unknown. Many practitioners are secretive about their beliefs due to social pressures and misconceptions.

Clergy

Both the COS and the TOS ordain Clergy, known as priests or "High priests." Other groups may have similar practrices; most initiatory structures are drawn from or inspired by the practices of quasi-Masonic groups such as the OTO.

Requirements to Join

The only usual requirement is the desire to be a member; initiations are required in some groups.

Church/Temple

Temples are usually used irregularly or for special events, rituals, etc. Weekly gatherings for worship are uncommon.

Scripture

The only commonly available Satanic scriptures available are Anton Lavey's works, the most well known of which is the "Satanic Bible." Others rely on their own interpretation of historical scriptures or create their own.

Required Observances, Dietary Restrictions

None. Non-theistic Satanists generally practice hedonism or indulgence as a matter of faith.

Code of Conduct

Satanists of the COS follow the Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth:

• Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.
• Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure that they want to hear them.
• When in another's lair, show him respect or else do not go there.
• If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy.
• Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal.
• Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the person and he cries out to be relieved.
• Acknowledge the power of magic if you have used 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.
• Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself.
• Do not harm little children.
• Do not kill non-human animals unless attacked or for your food.
• When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.

Basic Teachings and Beliefs of Satanism

While many Satanists argue the actual physical existence of Satan, the Satanic view of Satan/Lucifer/Set is a somewhat Gnostic one, seeing the divinity as a liberator of mankind, a principal of individuality, or as the principal of change. Satanism of the sort where believers consciously worship Satan as an evil entity or an enemy of the Christian God appears to be confined to rumor, disturbed teenagers, and bad Heavy metal music. True to some accusations, Satanists do tend to embrace a philosophy of 'relative morality,' which generally culminates in a rejection of 'antiquated' sexual mores, "embracing man's carnal nature," as LaVey phrases it.

The Beliefs of the Church of Satan can be Summed up by their Nine Satanic Statements

• Satan represents indulgence, instead of abstinence!
• Satan represents vital existence, instead of spiritual pipe dreams!
• Satan represents undefiled wisdom, instead of hypocritical self-deceit!
• Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it, instead of love wasted on ingrates
• Satan represents vengeance, instead of turning the other cheek!
• Satan represents responsibility to the responsible, instead of concern for psychic vampires!
• Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes 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!
• Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification.
• Satan is the best friend the church has ever had, as he has kept it in business all these years!

Satan and Satanism

There are several types of Satanic belief systems. The most common is Philosophical Satanism, wherein Satan is not believed to actually exist, but is seen as a sort of mascot for personal liberty. Most modern Satanic groups, especially the COS, fall into this category. (It should be noted that some prefer to place this and similar groups under the label of "religious" Satanism due to their ritual practices) Satan is not viewed as a living entity, but as an ideal. Much of the thought behind this particular belief system is in opposition to Judeo-Christian ideals that are seen as weak or ineffectual. In philosophical Satanism, the emphasis is on individuation, personal growth and human potential. There are no pacts, sacrifices, or criminal behaviors accepted or encouraged, altohugh some do intentionally cultivate a 'spooky' or intimidating image. This type of belief is likely to be embraced by people who feel powerless in their every day lives, but this is not neccessarily true of the majority. In Satanic ritual magick, Satan embodies the principal of Set- the destruction of the ego neccessary for spiritual rebirth.

Traditional, or religious Satanism, is less common. Religious Satanism does involve a belief in Satan as a deity, although not neccessarily an evil or oppositional one. In fact, the majority view Satan as a Promethian or Gnostic deity- a liberator, or one who encourages mankind to rebel against its state of imprisonment. In many of these traditions, the Biblical Yahweh is seen as an evil tyrant, an oppressive and cruel deity- which correlates with similar Gnostic beliefs. Many more traditions do not specifically acknowledge the Judeo-Christian pantheon, but venerate the Egyptian Set. Religious Satanists are no more or less moral or likely to commit crimes than other religious groups, and religious Satanists do not make sacrifices or practice "black magic."

A much smaller percentage of the "Satanic" population are what is most often referred to as 'Dabbling.' Satanic dabblers are usually among the disaffected members of the population (prisonars, troubled teens, etc.), people who feel extremely powerless or have a need or desire to control or outrage others. They often commit minor crimes and very rarely larger ones. They may attempt to perform spells or curses against others, or even attempt what they view as 'traditional' Satanic activities- sacrifices, pacts, etc. Most have no group affiliations, or even contact with other believers; their beliefs/practices usually gleaned from books or even rumours. Dabblers are often obvious by their appearance and generally do not 'blend in' with society at large. This is usually not an issue of genuine Satanism, but a symptom of antisocial tendencies, even a cry for help.

Holidays and observances: In COS tradition, the Satanist's birthday is an importnat holiday. More traditional, magickally oriented Satanists may celebrate the Solar feast days.

Symbols of satanism: The most common symbols include an inverted Pentagram, with or without a stylized Goat's head, symbolizing the purported Templar divinity Baphomet. An ankh, or anasata cross, is also common in some traditions. The specific emblem of the Church of Satan is commonly known as the Sigil of Baphomet, drawn from ritual magick traditions. (The presence of this symbol is not neccessarily an indicator of Satanic belief or practice.) Other, lesser used symbols are Ram's heads, the ouroboros, or symbols of ritual magick, and the alchemical sigil of sulfur. The inverted Christian cross is not a symbol of Satanic religion and is not used, except by shock rockers and dabblers.

Myths and Misconceptions

Myths, fears, and outright paranoias abound in regards to Satanism. A form of hysteria known most commonly as "Satanic panic" blossomed in the eighties with allegations of a sweeping, organized, and pervasive Satanic cult responsible for everything from the disappearance of children to the popularity of soy foods.* After several sweeping arrests of supposedly Satanic child care workers accused of sexually abusing children en masse, reports of adult victims 'recovering' memories, the panic eventually trailed off. In depth studies on 'recovered' memories discovered that they were largely a result of dubious therapeutic techniques, and an official FBI report on Satanic Ritual abuse concluded that not only did the widespread Satanic conspiracy not exist, but that religious abuse of children was most likely to be committed by Christians. Of course, the occasional report of the mentally deranged committing murder in the name of Satan do still occasionally make the news, but these are largely eclipsed by reports of abuse and murder committed by members of more mainstream religions.

*One alleged signs of the impending emergence of the antichrist listed in the book The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow is the popularity of soy as a substitute for meat.