I have seen the Satanic bible recommended in threads here several times. I am curious about people's opinion of LeVay and his beliefs.
I personally appreciate some satanic philosophy, but find LeVay to be more interested in stroking his own ego than teaching anyone anything.
Opinions?
LaVey , not LeVay , was a good man and a good satanist .
Aye, sorry...still half asleep.
I was hoping for more though. What about him do you like/respect?
I know enough about him to have formed an opinion, but not enough that its written in stone.
i had the satanic bible used against me once so its not particularly my favourite book lol
There are a lot satanic editions.I agree in most things he wrote but not all of it.
Also I have to know what people mean by satanic life style...cause if that means to be an asshole with everyone they're just fooling themselves.
Also sometimes I feel I know more than those kids who claim to be satanists!
a true satanist does NOT worship the devil but THEMSELVES..to a satanist, man is god. i think it's a bigoted and sort of egotistical way of viewing religion, but who am i to judge.
vampiro, what do you mean "used against you"? the satanic bible is alot of things, but NOT a spellbook. even had it been, i highly doubt that holds any true knowledge and certainly no power.
very interesting point..also to consider when the Satanic Bible was written...and for whom
LaVey was a good man , a true satanist and the founder of the church of satan- no one even comes close
queenoftheoccult, I appreciate your sentiments, but again, why do you feel that way? What about him makes him a "good man"?
I'm not arguing the point, I was just hoping for some details. Like I said, I know a lot of facts about him, but not many details.
Magus Peter H Gilmore has alot of informative things to say about the man himself... Try looking into his stuff online.
the santanic bible is a big ego trip for thoughs that dont know what there reading but it all leys in the reader
He did his best to counter act an era of "theological sheep" by creating "philosophical lions" Therefore i have respect for his efforts. As well i have read much on him being an outstanding family man. He appears to have been a very humorous character indeed... He was the serious joke, proving how easy it was to get under the publics skin... Further proving the establishments fear of independent thought and free will.
The 9 satanic sins written by LeVay.
This should in a nut shell give you an idea on his ideas.
1. Stupidity—The top of the list for Satanic Sins. The Cardinal Sin of Satanism. It’s too bad that stupidity isn’t painful. Ignorance is one thing, but our society thrives increasingly on stupidity. It depends on people going along with whatever they are told. 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. On equal footing with stupidity for what keeps the money in circulation these days. Everyone’s made to feel like a big shot, whether they can come up with the goods or not.
3. Solipsism—Can be very dangerous for Satanists. 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.” It’s work for most of us and requires constant vigilance lest you slip into a comfortable illusion of everyone being like you. As has been said, certain utopias would be ideal in a nation of philosophers, but unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately, from a Machiavellian standpoint) we are far from that point.
4. Self-deceit—It’s in the “Nine Satanic Statements” but deserves to be repeated here. Another cardinal sin. We must not pay homage to any of the sacred cows presented to us, including the roles we are expected to play ourselves. The only time self-deceit should be entered into is when it’s fun, and with awareness. But then, it’s not self-deceit!
5. Herd Conformity—That’s obvious from a Satanic stance. It’s all right to conform to a person’s wishes, if it ultimately benefits you. But only fools follow along with the herd, letting an impersonal entity dictate to you. The key is to choose a master wisely instead of being enslaved by the whims of the many.
6. Lack of Perspective—Again, this one can lead to a lot of pain for a Satanist. You must never lose sight of who and what you are, and what a threat you can be, by your very existence. We are making history right now, every day. 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—Be aware that this is one 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—That first word is important. 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—This is the physical application of the Balance Factor. Aesthetics is important in Lesser Magic and should be cultivated. It is obvious that no one can collect any money off classical standards of beauty and form most of the time so they are discouraged in a consumer society, but 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.
I personally think that people are saddly mistaken on LeVay's way of thinking. He may have been a bit egotistical but if you really think about it who isnt, and as some have said the Satanic faith is a faith based souly on the human race and not so to speak higher beings and gods or goddess whatever you may believe. If you read his work you will find that it isnt about being an asshole its more about not being ignorant. I agree with his way of thinking when it comes to a social standpoint but I dont think that I am a god, that is the only difference.
I read very little of his work, but I can tell you this, I bet Anton LaVey loved Nietzsche. And I have to agree with some of the so called "satanic sins" (I don't believe in the concept of sin). I think that the way he stated that god is Man, was a somewhat realistic aproach concerning Man's condition in this world, with incredible similarities with Nietzsche had already said many years before him.
And you were right Oblyvia. His birth name was Howard Stanton Levey
the guy basically took the Holy Bible and changed some shit around, added a few things and either way hes still a fuckin Christian
I have read the Satanic Bible twice and what I get out of it is do what you want and not feel bad which is the opposite of Christians and their idea of asking for forgiveness. As far as the book being used against someone my best friend's car window got busted when her boyfriend left his copy laying in site, go figure.
LaVey did have a lot of great ideas. As to whether he was a great person, well, I didn't know him. And yes, Nietzsche was one of his major influences.
The thing I find interesting about the basic ideas of LaVeyan Satanism is that it isn't really a moral guidline, the way many religions are. Yes, he does outline certain sins, but these are mainly against stupidity. It's basically preaching to be true to yourself. Do as you wish, but do it right. Be smart about it. This doesn't say be a good person, etc. Listing stupidity as the most grevious sin implies this to a certain degree, but also allows for circumstance. I like this idea. A lot. But at the same time, it suffers from some of the same flaws as Marxism. Humanity as a whole cannot function like this.
And the Satanic Bible does incorporate magick and ritual, as well as invocations. I'm far less familiar with these sections of the book however. And I'll leave my personal beliefs towards magick out of this.
judging from this thread I already know I am going to be unpopular here but I am going to say it anyways. I , in my humble opinion, believe that the world arond me is better off when I work towards the betterment of all the people in my little circle of life. Me being self centered is not necissarily contrary to that issue. When I see people growing and becoming happier and stronger people it makes me a happier and stronger. I do not believe that hate ever produced anything positive and I do believe in right and wrong.
At the end of the day, you have to make this decision for yourself but Levey had no truth in him only the desire to be known for something anything.. he is and it is not for anything good.
Cadamia, your opinion is much closer to my first impression of him than anyone elses thus far.
i have a simler story to danzig , i left the necronomicon, ( i relize this isnt the same book as LaVey, an yeah i prolly spelled it wrong to) in a friends car an wile he was merging on to the high way he got hit after his car stallid out, he is fine tho...now. I didnt get past the testimony of the mad arabe
Odd....I think you guys are looking way to into the effects of owning LeVay's work or the Necronomicon for that matter. I own some of LeVay's writing even though I dont follow it, plus I also own the Necronomicon. Nothing bad has ever happened to me and I've own them for a while.
Even had both of the books for a while but it never happened anything to me 0_0.
And I agree with who said that to be a satanist means you are your own god.But a lot think it's just by being mean to people and say you're evil,which it has nothing to do with it at all!
Being a modern satanist means being your own god .
The Church Of Satan is still quite an amazing movement in terms of religion and self-perspective. I dotn agree with everything it says, but it makes a stand against christianity, which I think it necessary.
Atleast he was real ...you could see him unlike the often written about Jesus Christ....
just a man but he made his words known as in everything what works for some dosent work for all. my beliefs r different than his but i judge no one lest i be judged
It's Lavey..
And Personally I think that His theories made sense from his point of view even though They don't fit in my lifestyle or my beliefs...
He was an interesting being and a smart one indeed...A good man!
The Necronomicon is a bad joke.
I think a few of you misunderstood my question. I know what Satanism is, I know the different types (I've studied all religions my whole life) and I know what is contained in the Satanic bible.
My question was not regarding Satanism, but Anton Lavey as a PERSON.
Think about Satinism and what they believe....Now when you pratice your faith do you pretty much have the same ideas as your faith? Now think about LeVay a man who is one of the most known Santinist he believes that he is a God that should say it all, does he have an ego yes prolly does, but that is because of his faith and his ideas, does that make him a bad person, no i dont think so.
generally every satanist believe they are "god". not just LaVey. myself included.
I find nothing wrong with the belief systems that Lavey has disseminated, but keep in mind that it mostly in revolt towards Christianity--not that that's a bad thing. Many religions have been crafted to fly in the face of an established religion. In the east, this is true of Confucianism and Taoism. In any case, Lavey's satanism is not so much a worship of Satan, but more of reverance towards the flaws and abilities of humanity--which, not incidentally, are the very things that Christianity tends to dismiss or demonize.
Sorry. I meant to say *LaVey* and not *Lavey*. I thought I had pressed the shift key, but apparently I didn't do so hard enough. Please forgive the mistake.
Sorry to be the downer here, but i find any bible satanic or not is quite silly to say the least, it normally is left for one to decide what it means and written by those that wish to control others of a weeker mind set...There are examples of many types of writtings that tell stories, of "the rules" ... well i say Hogwash...If I write a book and start a good cult then perhaps my written word in 1,000 years may set the minds and life practices of those that are not able to think for themselves.... Regards Pharaoh
Considering his life story he was a very adaptable & intelligent person who wrote some interesting stuff who whether one likes it or not made a difference to the world around him long-term.
very charismatic and intelligent man....highly misunderstood....sometimes by choice...
and did seem to have a few of his very own cardinal sins in spades....but then again...don't we all
*shrug*
the guy was totally mis-read. basically by morons.
shame really. he had some good ideas.
although he did sound a little fake from the description of him and his house in mansons book
he had a good idea but when I read the satanic bible it contradicted it self just like the reg. bible but not as much. that just what I think
yes...often I wonder if those who wrote all these different books have ever actually read what they wrote...since they never seem to see these obvious contradictions
Perhaps because they focused to write as much as they can so convinced they had it all sorted up perfectly up their heads...
LaVey did stroke his own ego, but just know he was a great philosopher and had his mind in the right place. If you are concidering joining the church of satan, dont. Research and worship on your own, you find the meaning much more personal and not have to pay some god awful fee just to say you belong to the church. And to make sure we are on the same page, LaVey Satanism has absolutely nothing to do with worshiping the devil and making sacrifices, if you wish nothing of that sort. Simply, do what satisfies your own personal intrests and live life to the fullest how ever you shall desire.
I recommend anyone with an open mind to give Satanism a chance.
You won't regret it.
Why do you recommend Satanism, and for the post before it, why do you not?
Details people, details!
I've researched Satanism enough to know its not for me. Of all the religions I've studied, and there have been many, the only ones I can apply to myself at all are Taoism (more philosophy than religion), Paganism (eclectic, with a Druidic slant) and parts of Hinduism. The common thread, which explains why Satanism is not for me, is that they focus on a greater whole. Our individual beings are relevant, but far from being the most important thing. Satanism tends to go in the opposite direction, and while a lot of the philosophical path is useful and intriguing, the religion itself is fairly destructive to the greater whole.
I recommend Satanism because it's the religion that most lets you be who you are as human. God tells you sins are evil. Satanism tells you that sins are human.
OK, good point. What about seeing sins as non-existant though?
I am a witch, but I am not Wiccan. Gods/Godesses are worshiped here. What makes me a Satanist, is that I believe in the "God" to be man. Everyone has thier own beliefs and a mixture of certain religions, and there are several forms of Satanism. I would be a Religious Satanist with an open mind for information. ;)
I consider myself a witch as well, also not Wiccan. I don't believe Man to be God though. I believe in Nature and Energy....
oblyvia-
Good point. Sins are in the eye of the beholder most certainly, since most wrongs can be justified to rights, but we all know that there will always be dark after light, and the other side of the fence as long as there are opinions and choices..
Sins are just something that generations have taught us to keep order with these "rules" we call sins.
I also believe in man to be energy. That is why I believe that man is God.
Satan may not even exist, but I believe in the rules that Satanism provides. Just be human.
ok this was just brought to my attention today and it kind of sickens me if it is true. Although a lot of LeVay ideas work socially and I agree with them hummmm if the stuff I have read is true I'm not sure I'd agree with the way he lived his life.
check this out...
http://www.churchofsatan.org/aslv.html
I am beginning to realize that religion is another thing that generations have taught us to provide order, rules, and regulations, with information that forms in our mind thier view of reality.
[Yes I have been listening to too much Salival. (Tool) Thanks Maynard James Keenan for believing in the freedom of thought and free will.]
**blank looks** Know of him, know about him.. Dun really fallow up on him.. Can't be of too much help here...
*realizes hes in the wrong section and walks out room quietly*