The Satanic Bible: The Nine Satanic Statements

[MattG]

I've noticed that the tome I hold dearest as representative of what I would call religion is largely non represented here at Online Lit.

I thought I would post a set of basic tenets in Satanic philosophy and see what you all think of them.


The Nine Satanic Statements

from The Satanic Bible, ©1969

by Anton Szandor LaVey


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, 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!

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!

[krymsonkyng]

1. Overindulgence is worse than abstinence by a long shot. It has more potential to create unnecessary exclusiveness, and from that, enemies. It takes moderation (not indulgence or abstinence) to live rationally.

2. Reality represents itself fairly well without Satan.

3. Undefiled wisdom wouldn't have the DevilCorp logo stamped on it, by definition. Any sort of endorsement beyond the self evident taints the wisdom. It comes from experience, education, and stands alone: without the guise of religious backing.

4. This I can dig, but Satan's name is, again, unnecessary to the idea.

5. Vengeance has its place in the world, but it should not be the default. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind, right? Some people make mistakes: Not all mistakes should be outright avenged.

6. In declaring this Satanic isn't expressing concern over said "vampires"? It's a declaration of opposition. Also, A philosophy or religion should be able to stand on its own, with out resorting to ad hominem against another belief system.

7. Man is an animal, sure, but he's transcended the basic daily needs lifestyle most animals are subject to. He's a special case because of this, not because he's sacred or anything like that, and should be treated as one.

8. "Sinning" for sin's sake is reinforcement of the opposing concept. The sins themselves are human nature, not to be dodged entirely but acknowledged, understood, tolerated and controlled by rational thought. Too much of any one of them is an offense to fellow man. Too little is much the same.

9. This is partially true. The church is still in business because it doesn't follow its own doctrine: It picks, it chooses. Like this suggests, it also exists because of its enemies. In an ideal world, neither side would exist. People would think for themselves instead of choosing celestial backers and throwing the gauntlet.

[Theunderground]

I have a copy of Antons book and it is very interesting. He identifys some shortfalls of 'humanism' and of course the numerous wrongs of religion. His section on magic is far better than all the other esoteric nonsense wrote on the subject. He makes a huge amount of sense.
However,i dont see the need to ally myself to a creeed of nine statements or an 'ism'. And the rituals though good self transformative psychodrama for some are not my cup of tea. Some good insights but ultimately the only 'ism' i really have time for is possibly pragmatism.

[JuniperWoolf]

1. Overindulgence is worse than abstinence by a long shot. It has more potential to create unnecessary exclusiveness, and from that, enemies. It takes moderation (not indulgence or abstinence) to live rationally.

Satanists see excessive overindulgance as another path to enlightenment. Think about it - how many people have sex with whoever they want, eat whatever they want, drink whatever they want and pump whatever they want into their systems? It's a different set of experiences than the average person lives through, and they think that under the most extreme conditions that they can put their bodies through they'll achieve their spiritual peak (or something). It kind of reminds me of Siddhartha.

2. Reality represents itself fairly well without Satan.

Yeah, he means that physical reality is what Satan stands for. To people who study kabbalism and Satanism and all that jazz, God represents spirit, Satan represents the material. It's just a symbolism thing.

I don't know why he didn't bring up rebellion and an unwillingness to bow before authority, as far as I know that's Satanism's main selling point. It's the only thing that I like about it. That part of religion has always struck me as kind of poetic, the useless struggle against a force which is clearly more powerful than you, the impotent rage that you feel when you're forced to be a sycophant, ect. I think it's time for me to read Milton again.

[MattG]

Satanists see excessive overindulgance as another path to enlightenment.

Sort of. Over indulgence has a negative connotation. Wise indulgence with a clear understanding of consequence is key. In general, the thought is that as in nature, man has built in balance controls. If one were to overindulge in food, for example, and become slovenly because of it, then natural pride (also a sin) might begin to intervene to balance the situation. If not, then perhaps being over weight isn't particularly bothersome to the person in question. Also, in general, the thought is that this life is all that we have so the preservation and enjoyment of it is paramount.

The practice of over indulgence can become life threatening which is seen as anathema.

I don't know why he didn't bring up rebellion and an unwillingness to bow before authority, as far as I know that's Satanism's main selling point.

That pretty much gets its own chapter in The Satanic Bible. More germane to the discussion though is the question of what one rebels against and who or what comprises actual tangible authority.

However,i dont see the need to ally myself to a creeed of nine statements or an 'ism'.

That's not the point. Authentic Satanism isn't about marching in lockstep... it's about locating and nurturing the individual self (that which makes each one different). The Satanic Bible is a polemical work meant to awaken a curiosity (and perhaps deeper study to those inspired by the work).

[JuniperWoolf]

pretty much gets its own chapter in The Satanic Bible. More germane to the discussion though is the question of what one rebels against and who or what comprises actual tangible authority.

In the case of Satanism, the "authority" would just be church-driven Western notions of virtue and sin, correct?

[Theunderground]

'Authentic satanism'. Much as i think Laveys book very useful for open minded ex religionists,i dont then need someone to 'define' and clarify for me what is authentic or not. All movements which have at there heart indivdualism are good,but when they start trying to enclose your identity with definitions they become 'isms' and 'dogmas' once again. (recognise the pattern,what start as free-thought becomes a straitjacket over time.)
Existentialism suffers from this as well. Man can be shown the way by a few insightful words and examples of behaviour,but he doesnt need to be hemmed in by the idiosyncratic defintions of what is right,wrong or authentic,The point with individualism is that you can think and define for yorself,no? Once you have read the 'bible' i suggest you chuck it away metaphorically speaking,or else you havent really progressed to trusting your own personal insight .

[MattG]

All movements which have at there heart indivdualism are good,but when they start trying to enclose your identity with definitions they become 'isms' and 'dogmas' once again.

Yes, this is why I identified The Satanic Bible as a polemical work. It's not a rule book and is not written as such. It's a gateway for those who find value in it. Most do not (and that is perfect).

i dont then need someone to 'define' and clarify for me what is authentic or not.

I'm not here to proselytize. Please do and believe as you wish.

[MattG]

In the case of Satanism, the "authority" would just be church-driven Western notions of virtue and sin, correct?

Initially perhaps this is true, though people do find their way to Satanism who have no experience whatsoever with organized religion.

Once the adversarial current is engaged to meet external conflict (laws of church, state, relationships... basic rebellion, etc) a practitioner may realize that the most valuable target to point his weapons against is the self. This is where true iconoclasm is met, in the battle against one's own beliefs.

[krymsonkyng]

Satanists see excessive overindulgance as another path to enlightenment. Think about it - how many people have sex with whoever they want, eat whatever they want, drink whatever they want and pump whatever they want into their systems? It's a different set of experiences than the average person lives through, and they think that under the most extreme conditions that they can put their bodies through they'll achieve their spiritual peak (or something). It kind of reminds

I thought of hedonism at first blush. The Buddha had his youth and the excesses it came with but still felt suffering was an issue. Then he went on his yogi tour and lost all that baby weight. The thing is he came to the same conclusion as the hedons: happiness is the measure of life and moderation is key for happiness. Think middle path. I'll agree it takes experimentation find that sweet spot, but to preach excess without end seems shortsighted and doomed.

[country doctor]

Roar!

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I've noticed that the tome I hold dearest as representative of what I would call religion is largely non represented here at Online Lit.

I thought I would post a set of basic tenets in Satanic philosophy and see what you all think of them.


The Nine Satanic Statements

from The Satanic Bible, ©1969

by Anton Szandor LaVey


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, 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!

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!

Satan also represents unnecessary exclamation points, apparently.

Satanism is good for one thing, and one thing only: Heavy Metal Schtick.

[Jack of Hearts]

This is actually immensely interesting. If only we could do away with this theological nonsense about Satan- but then, 'Satan' is a powerful concept to a lot of people, and maybe just that power alone is enough to rouse some from their Christian ethic and come toward the 'virtues' this 'bible' seems to extol. So eventually the symbolism gets shed and one learns to perhaps generate their own values.

Just a theory. If this implies anything literal, like there actually is a Satan to worship... well, personally, this reader would prefer to worship the giant spaghetti monster or Clapton.





J



EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX5USg8_1gA

[KCurtis]

satan also represents unnecessary exclamation points, apparently.

lollll !!!

[cafolini]

I think this thread is distracting. Satan has always preferred more universal institutions.