Thank you, Michael, for this post. If I may add my two cents and briefly describe how, dare I say, we understand Satanism, I would add that, first and foremost, Satanism, and I am referring mainly to the version presented by Ecclesia Luciferi, is, from a psychological point of view, a very positive worldview or proposition. It is not a negative worldview that has nothing to offer but negation. It is not a simple, primitive reversal of Christianity, but in part it draws attention to the fact that what is considered a virtue in theistic religions, especially Abrahamic ones, (i.e. blind faith in religious authorities, with an imaginary anthropomorphic dictator god from outside time and space at the helm, slavish obedience to invented religious dogmas and fear of the wrath of the deity, which I personally consider to be the strongest reason for theistic faith, because it infects believers most often in childhood), is in fact evil and an emotional and mental defect. The ability to recognise the evil that lies at the heart of the Abrahamic religions (‘by their fruits ye shall know them,’ their Messiah is said to have said. Anyone who is even slightly interested in history knows perfectly well what fruits Judaism, Christianity and Islam have borne when put into practice. Their victims number in the millions) is one of the positives that Ecclesia Luciferi Satanism has to offer. But there are others. To simplify, one could say this:
From a philosophical point of view, Satanism contains a properly understood nihilism, according to which the meaning of life should not be sought in illusions and false hopes, but in life itself.
From a psychological point of view, it offers an almost religious worship of ‘sinful’ nature and the life that comes from it. Because nature is all that exists, because nature created us and nourishes us, and because it is completely godless and amoral according to Judeo-Christian theistic standards. And because science knows of no entities outside the natural world.
Finally, from a theological point of view, Satanism offers recognition and dealing with the evil and error of theism, mainly Abrahamic religions. And from my point of view, this last aspect is one of the most important because I see a growing trend in the world of religious rhetoric being used by leaders who are either religious lunatics themselves or have been installed as rulers by a mob stupefied by religious rhetoric and propaganda. (For example, since the beginning of its invasion of independent Ukraine, Russia has been using religious rhetoric to justify its crimes. Russian propagandists have declared Russia to be a country chosen by God, and Ukraine and the entire West to be Satanists. The rockets and bombs that kill civilians in Ukraine are consecrated by Orthodox priests. Similarly, the United States is being run as if it were headed by a madman who constantly repeats that he will fight the persecution of Christianity and does so, for example, by fighting science in his own country, while supporting the pseudoscience promoted by religious fanatics. In addition, he has recently begun to physically threaten entire countries that he will attack them if they do not stop persecuting Christians. He is also trying to resume nuclear testing, which I consider pure madness. The US also unconditionally supports Israel, which, using religious, biblical rhetoric, is massacring civilians in Gaza.
Theists who believe in life after death will not hesitate to bring about the destruction of the world because, as they believe, they will finally be freed from suffering in this evil and sinful world, which is supposedly ruled by Satan, but which looks the way it does mainly because of them.
Satanists who believe in life before death and worship Mother Nature will do everything to make this only real world a godless paradise, and knowing that we only live once, they will consider life a priceless gift and will respect themselves and other living beings.
In view of the above, I consider Satanism to be light, and the theism of the Abrahamic religions to be darkness. And only in this way can Satanism be considered a reversal of theism at all.
When I first began reading your work, I was concerned about the inversion of certain words, the emphasis on theology. It took a bit of processing to really understand. It has served to deepen my understanding and relationship with my own philosophy and perspective. For that I am eternally grateful.
The theistic fascination with life after death is truly sad, and a bit terrifying. I agree that they would willingly burn it all down to satisfy their delusions.
Those of us who understand that our one true life is finite find it all the more precious and worthwhile because of it. We experience a joy of life unknown to the death-cultists.
This new wave of Christian Nationalism we are seeing is disturbingly loud and successful. Other Christians cry “No True Scotsman” in response, but I disagree. It’s built-in, a feature not a bug. The last time the Church was allowed to rule, we called it the Dark Ages for a reason. We are headed in that same direction once again.
I am glad to encounter more people who are deconstructing their religious indoctrination, able to see the light of reality. Pan-Satanism might well be the spiritual path to help them on their journey. Or something else entirely, even some spiritual pagan tradition, something that honors nature, reveres life. The Christians lump them in with us anyway, I suppose I should support them as well.
I can't take the Church of Satan and LaVey Satansim serious. It was just an adversarial mock of Christianity (that was necessary 50-80 years ago). It lacks any uniqueness and is just contrarianism. I listened to a CoS podcast a few days ago with Gilmore. It was superficial, empty of meaning and pseudo-philosophical blabber. You get more depths watching a Netflix show. I consider myself an archetypal Luciferian but don't speak about this a lot or only through my work without calling it that way. It's not about labels. The real message is sovereignty and spreading the wisdom of the black flame. Any organisation or church will fail at the moment they put out rules - they undermine their very purpose. The LHP is best walked in solitude and silence.
I certainly understand your point about CoS. While I respect them, it feels like they have stagnated. If LaVey were still alive, he might actually agree with you to a degree. I don’t think his intention was just to mock Christianity, or that it was merely superficial. He lived his philosophy and that was enough for him. The 11 Satanic Rules of the Earth aren’t divine commandments, rather his own rules for how to conduct oneself in Society. They don’t appear in TSB.
The Church of Satan preserves LaVey’s specific teachings and fiercely upholds them as the only defining principles of Satanism. I think LaVey would be chagrined at such sticky dogmatism.
As for the mockery and adversarialism, I do think that Christianity is a cancerous weed that ought to be ripped out from its roots. Mockery is a fine tool, though it isn’t enough.
I listened to that Satansplain podcast, it was ok. Magister Bill is a decent guy, so is Gilmore. They lack depth in some areas, but I don’t really hold it against them. I am maybe too generous in my appraisal. LaVey would have done well to lead the CoS into deeper consideration of his ideas, especially into Apotheosis, what it really means to be one’s own god. I think he expected members to explore those ideas on their own. So many stop short of really delving into the shadow or developing a sense of purpose and meaning to their lives. They miss the point of walking the LHP.
I agree that it is a solitary path, and silence is advised in most situations. Perhaps that is what LaVey was practicing?
Thank you, Michael, for this post. If I may add my two cents and briefly describe how, dare I say, we understand Satanism, I would add that, first and foremost, Satanism, and I am referring mainly to the version presented by Ecclesia Luciferi, is, from a psychological point of view, a very positive worldview or proposition. It is not a negative worldview that has nothing to offer but negation. It is not a simple, primitive reversal of Christianity, but in part it draws attention to the fact that what is considered a virtue in theistic religions, especially Abrahamic ones, (i.e. blind faith in religious authorities, with an imaginary anthropomorphic dictator god from outside time and space at the helm, slavish obedience to invented religious dogmas and fear of the wrath of the deity, which I personally consider to be the strongest reason for theistic faith, because it infects believers most often in childhood), is in fact evil and an emotional and mental defect. The ability to recognise the evil that lies at the heart of the Abrahamic religions (‘by their fruits ye shall know them,’ their Messiah is said to have said. Anyone who is even slightly interested in history knows perfectly well what fruits Judaism, Christianity and Islam have borne when put into practice. Their victims number in the millions) is one of the positives that Ecclesia Luciferi Satanism has to offer. But there are others. To simplify, one could say this:
From a philosophical point of view, Satanism contains a properly understood nihilism, according to which the meaning of life should not be sought in illusions and false hopes, but in life itself.
From a psychological point of view, it offers an almost religious worship of ‘sinful’ nature and the life that comes from it. Because nature is all that exists, because nature created us and nourishes us, and because it is completely godless and amoral according to Judeo-Christian theistic standards. And because science knows of no entities outside the natural world.
Finally, from a theological point of view, Satanism offers recognition and dealing with the evil and error of theism, mainly Abrahamic religions. And from my point of view, this last aspect is one of the most important because I see a growing trend in the world of religious rhetoric being used by leaders who are either religious lunatics themselves or have been installed as rulers by a mob stupefied by religious rhetoric and propaganda. (For example, since the beginning of its invasion of independent Ukraine, Russia has been using religious rhetoric to justify its crimes. Russian propagandists have declared Russia to be a country chosen by God, and Ukraine and the entire West to be Satanists. The rockets and bombs that kill civilians in Ukraine are consecrated by Orthodox priests. Similarly, the United States is being run as if it were headed by a madman who constantly repeats that he will fight the persecution of Christianity and does so, for example, by fighting science in his own country, while supporting the pseudoscience promoted by religious fanatics. In addition, he has recently begun to physically threaten entire countries that he will attack them if they do not stop persecuting Christians. He is also trying to resume nuclear testing, which I consider pure madness. The US also unconditionally supports Israel, which, using religious, biblical rhetoric, is massacring civilians in Gaza.
Theists who believe in life after death will not hesitate to bring about the destruction of the world because, as they believe, they will finally be freed from suffering in this evil and sinful world, which is supposedly ruled by Satan, but which looks the way it does mainly because of them.
Satanists who believe in life before death and worship Mother Nature will do everything to make this only real world a godless paradise, and knowing that we only live once, they will consider life a priceless gift and will respect themselves and other living beings.
In view of the above, I consider Satanism to be light, and the theism of the Abrahamic religions to be darkness. And only in this way can Satanism be considered a reversal of theism at all.
Ave Satanas!
Ave Trinitati Impiae!
Thank you for this deep analysis. I love it when Russia calls us Satanists. It makes me proud. At least once they got it right!
Thank you for the feedback.
You have a way of cutting deep into the meat.
When I first began reading your work, I was concerned about the inversion of certain words, the emphasis on theology. It took a bit of processing to really understand. It has served to deepen my understanding and relationship with my own philosophy and perspective. For that I am eternally grateful.
The theistic fascination with life after death is truly sad, and a bit terrifying. I agree that they would willingly burn it all down to satisfy their delusions.
Those of us who understand that our one true life is finite find it all the more precious and worthwhile because of it. We experience a joy of life unknown to the death-cultists.
This new wave of Christian Nationalism we are seeing is disturbingly loud and successful. Other Christians cry “No True Scotsman” in response, but I disagree. It’s built-in, a feature not a bug. The last time the Church was allowed to rule, we called it the Dark Ages for a reason. We are headed in that same direction once again.
I am glad to encounter more people who are deconstructing their religious indoctrination, able to see the light of reality. Pan-Satanism might well be the spiritual path to help them on their journey. Or something else entirely, even some spiritual pagan tradition, something that honors nature, reveres life. The Christians lump them in with us anyway, I suppose I should support them as well.
Ave Satanas
I can't take the Church of Satan and LaVey Satansim serious. It was just an adversarial mock of Christianity (that was necessary 50-80 years ago). It lacks any uniqueness and is just contrarianism. I listened to a CoS podcast a few days ago with Gilmore. It was superficial, empty of meaning and pseudo-philosophical blabber. You get more depths watching a Netflix show. I consider myself an archetypal Luciferian but don't speak about this a lot or only through my work without calling it that way. It's not about labels. The real message is sovereignty and spreading the wisdom of the black flame. Any organisation or church will fail at the moment they put out rules - they undermine their very purpose. The LHP is best walked in solitude and silence.
I certainly understand your point about CoS. While I respect them, it feels like they have stagnated. If LaVey were still alive, he might actually agree with you to a degree. I don’t think his intention was just to mock Christianity, or that it was merely superficial. He lived his philosophy and that was enough for him. The 11 Satanic Rules of the Earth aren’t divine commandments, rather his own rules for how to conduct oneself in Society. They don’t appear in TSB.
The Church of Satan preserves LaVey’s specific teachings and fiercely upholds them as the only defining principles of Satanism. I think LaVey would be chagrined at such sticky dogmatism.
As for the mockery and adversarialism, I do think that Christianity is a cancerous weed that ought to be ripped out from its roots. Mockery is a fine tool, though it isn’t enough.
I listened to that Satansplain podcast, it was ok. Magister Bill is a decent guy, so is Gilmore. They lack depth in some areas, but I don’t really hold it against them. I am maybe too generous in my appraisal. LaVey would have done well to lead the CoS into deeper consideration of his ideas, especially into Apotheosis, what it really means to be one’s own god. I think he expected members to explore those ideas on their own. So many stop short of really delving into the shadow or developing a sense of purpose and meaning to their lives. They miss the point of walking the LHP.
I agree that it is a solitary path, and silence is advised in most situations. Perhaps that is what LaVey was practicing?
I love your teaching