Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
New York : Avon, 1969
Description
Called "The Black Pope" by many of his followers, Anton La Vey began the road to High Priesthood of the Church of Satan when he was only 16 years old and an organ player in a carnival... "On Saturday night I would see men lusting after halfnaked girls dancing at the carnival, and on Sunday morning when I was playing the organ for tent-show evangelists at the other end of the carnival lot, I would see these same men sitting in the pews with their wives and children, asking God to forgive them and purge them of carnal desires. And the next Saturday night they'd be back at The carnival or some other place of indulgence. "I knew then that the Christian Church thrives on hypocrisy, and that man's carnal nature will out!" From that time early in his life his path was clear. Finally, on the last night of April, 1966--Walpurgisnacht, the most important festival of the believers in witchcraft--LaVey shaved his head in the tradition of Ancient executioners and announced the formation of The Church Of Satan. He had seen the need for a church that would recapture man's body and his carnal desires as objects of celebration. "Since worship of fleshly things produces pleasure," he said, "there would then be a temple of glorious indulgence . . ."… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member multifaceted
I’ve heard Satanism being described as “the religion for rebels”. Well, it seems more like “the religion for teenage ‘rebel’ caught up in being as stereotypically rebellious as they can while still trying to find their actual personality, which lies somewhere between their ‘hardcore
Ok, I understand that is a stereotype (and probably a run-on sentence, haha). I know there are people of every religion who are very respectful of others, very understanding, very intelligent, and very devoted. Unfortunately, Satanism seems to attract a lot of the teenage kids wanting to “rebel”. Maybe this is partly due to the religion’s notoriety after popular bands like Marilyn Manson and Cradle of Filth supposedly identified with “the church” (they now both deny ever following Satanism, of course).
I never quite fully understood this book. So if you don’t believe in God, then why don’t you call yourself a simple Atheist? (Tons of Atheists act like they’re their own god, too, after all!) The way the ideas are set out in this book, it seems mostly like glorified Atheism. Or rather, it seems like Atheism for the “rebel” who doesn’t want to believe in God, but can’t live without the ritualistic components of many religions (I believe even LaVey said that some people need a “ritual”-like component in their life). For example, there are parts about performing rituals and spells, invoking the name of the devil (or whomever) in order to make your life better. Well, if you don’t believe in God, then you don’t believe in the devil. So is the devil supposed to be some deep metaphor for your inner self? And if so, then why don’t you just learn to make yourself do something, not go through some kind of ritual?
I’ve also heard some say that the ideas in this book aren’t really very new or inventive, and it’s pretty true. You can find similar ideas in a lot of other books out there—even some of Mark Twain’s writing, of all things. BUT, Anton LaVey *was* noted as someone who could get many people riled up, and his writing is pretty sensationalistic; the writing’s not so bad, in and of itself. It is kind of funny, but I’m not always sure it’s supposed to be.
However, there are some books you don’t keep on your bookshelf, just so others don’t have the misfortune of seeing them. This is one of those books!
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Christian upbringing’ and their ‘hardcore rebellion’”. Ok, I understand that is a stereotype (and probably a run-on sentence, haha). I know there are people of every religion who are very respectful of others, very understanding, very intelligent, and very devoted. Unfortunately, Satanism seems to attract a lot of the teenage kids wanting to “rebel”. Maybe this is partly due to the religion’s notoriety after popular bands like Marilyn Manson and Cradle of Filth supposedly identified with “the church” (they now both deny ever following Satanism, of course).
I never quite fully understood this book. So if you don’t believe in God, then why don’t you call yourself a simple Atheist? (Tons of Atheists act like they’re their own god, too, after all!) The way the ideas are set out in this book, it seems mostly like glorified Atheism. Or rather, it seems like Atheism for the “rebel” who doesn’t want to believe in God, but can’t live without the ritualistic components of many religions (I believe even LaVey said that some people need a “ritual”-like component in their life). For example, there are parts about performing rituals and spells, invoking the name of the devil (or whomever) in order to make your life better. Well, if you don’t believe in God, then you don’t believe in the devil. So is the devil supposed to be some deep metaphor for your inner self? And if so, then why don’t you just learn to make yourself do something, not go through some kind of ritual?
I’ve also heard some say that the ideas in this book aren’t really very new or inventive, and it’s pretty true. You can find similar ideas in a lot of other books out there—even some of Mark Twain’s writing, of all things. BUT, Anton LaVey *was* noted as someone who could get many people riled up, and his writing is pretty sensationalistic; the writing’s not so bad, in and of itself. It is kind of funny, but I’m not always sure it’s supposed to be.
However, there are some books you don’t keep on your bookshelf, just so others don’t have the misfortune of seeing them. This is one of those books!
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LibraryThing member badgenome
When he wasn't busy fabricating his biography, LaVey managed to write some essays explaining his philosophy- basically Objectivism in a black mask, spiced up by his love of camp and pedantry. He compiled about a dozen of these, stuck a spellbook in the back for you to laugh at (or, provided you're
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lame enough, attempt to make use of), and called it The Satanic Bible. Show Less
LibraryThing member JorgeCarvajal
One of the best bibles I've read. It is fun and rich in irony, not unlike life itself. Satanism is indeed the religion of irony, the religion of life. It is the religion of the here and now, not the afterlife, and feeds on criticism rather than fighting it. Truly an amazing work.
The Book of Satan
The Book of Lucifer (air) contains the wisdom and logic that characterizes a Satanist: the theory. How a Satanist thinks.
The Book of Belial (earth) outlines the actions, rituals, and ceremonies. What a Satanist does.
The Book of Leviathan (water) contains the Word. The verbal component of the rituals. What a Satanist says.
The Satanic Bible is not perfect (but what bible is, anyway), the Book of Leviathan has mistakes and omissions on the list of infernal names, for instance. Also, the wisdom and philosophy detailed in the Book of Lucifer, while powerful and in the right direction, is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Nonetheless, the Satanic Bible is a good starting point for Satanism. Clearly, it can be improved upon (and has been, by the Church of Satan) and Satanism can and should go further than what these unholy pages describe.
Ultimately, Satanism is not a religion of stories but a religion of symbols. Satanism is not religion of the spirit but a religion of the body.
The Book of Satan
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(fire) sets the tone and essence of the religion: the resulting phenomenon from the elements that compose it. What a Satanist is.The Book of Lucifer (air) contains the wisdom and logic that characterizes a Satanist: the theory. How a Satanist thinks.
The Book of Belial (earth) outlines the actions, rituals, and ceremonies. What a Satanist does.
The Book of Leviathan (water) contains the Word. The verbal component of the rituals. What a Satanist says.
The Satanic Bible is not perfect (but what bible is, anyway), the Book of Leviathan has mistakes and omissions on the list of infernal names, for instance. Also, the wisdom and philosophy detailed in the Book of Lucifer, while powerful and in the right direction, is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Nonetheless, the Satanic Bible is a good starting point for Satanism. Clearly, it can be improved upon (and has been, by the Church of Satan) and Satanism can and should go further than what these unholy pages describe.
Ultimately, Satanism is not a religion of stories but a religion of symbols. Satanism is not religion of the spirit but a religion of the body.
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LibraryThing member dakobstah
The most original, intelligent, and thought-provoking modern treatise on occult practice. It is not for the close-minded, regardless of background (a close-minded Wiccan would be as likely to be offended as a close-minded Christian). Granted, there are parts that do not have the force that I feel
It has had criticisms too numerous to address specifically here but my own opinion is that the system created is a work of genius that can be used to great effect ONLY if one has the ability to see its worth and employ it properly. Its critics are those who can't or don't understand it. For those wishing to master the occult this book should act as their primer, their base for all further occult study.
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they should (I feel the Nine Satanic Statements for instance were, for the most part, too specific and forthright) but overall it is an excellent resource for those with a Satanic bent. It has had criticisms too numerous to address specifically here but my own opinion is that the system created is a work of genius that can be used to great effect ONLY if one has the ability to see its worth and employ it properly. Its critics are those who can't or don't understand it. For those wishing to master the occult this book should act as their primer, their base for all further occult study.
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LibraryThing member craigim
Anton Szandor LaVey found religion when, as a carnival organist, he encountered the same people whooping it up and partying on Saturday night, and then filing into the tent the next morning for the revival meeting, praising god. The first half of the book reads like a self-help book, with ideas
I enjoyed it mostly because I'm a huge fan of The Illuminatus Trilogy by Robert Anton Wilson, which borrowed from LaVey, Crowley, and other underground popular occult and conspiracy theories floating around in the late 70's and brought them to life. I've been slowly reading up on the source materials, and the Satanic Bible and the rituals contained therein feature prominently.
Overall, a fun read, but I'll stick to atheism, thank you very much.
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borrowed liberally from Alistair Crowley and Ayn Rand, and should appeal mostly to disaffected teenagers and college freshmen, although he does state that pure selfishness is not necessarily in one's best interest, a notion that Rand would disagree with. The rest is a description of various satanic rituals and incantations intended to release magic and bring about the desires of the participants. I imagine that when it was written, these rituals were shocking and highly blasphemous, but they sound like a bunch of LARPers getting together in their parent's basement. Again, mostly appealing to disaffected teenagers and college freshmen.I enjoyed it mostly because I'm a huge fan of The Illuminatus Trilogy by Robert Anton Wilson, which borrowed from LaVey, Crowley, and other underground popular occult and conspiracy theories floating around in the late 70's and brought them to life. I've been slowly reading up on the source materials, and the Satanic Bible and the rituals contained therein feature prominently.
Overall, a fun read, but I'll stick to atheism, thank you very much.
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LibraryThing member petcarbocation
Most of this book is pure common sense. What has became of the world that we would all accept it being named satanic? The few rituals in it are much less weird, grotesque, whatever than the ones of the most worldwidespread religions.
LibraryThing member IrishHolger
When I saw this book in a second hand book store I bought it thinking I could have a laugh, but was then amazed how much practical common sense is in it. In actual fact if this book is one thing, then it is the precursor of all those self help books that are now stocked up in every bookstore. When
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you read paragraphs about psychic vampires, visualisation etc it appears as if all those self help advocates just ripped from this work. Now there's a thought! Show Less
LibraryThing member heradas
1/3 general atheism, 1/3 reactionary to Christianity, and 1/3 random "occult" gibberish for shock value. The problem is, it's not shocking. Instead it just comes across as juvenile, and reactionary. I understand the appeal for those who see the problems with Christianity, but LaVeyan Satanism is
I agree with the atheistic bits, roll my eyes at the self absorbed anti-Christian bits, and don't understand the point of the mythological occult bits as they are self defeating, not to mention author admittedly total rubbish. Anton states several times that the mythical and occult elements are not real, so why emphasize them so much? I have a hard time understanding the point of ritual for ritual sake. If you are aware of the effects of ritual, how can partaking in an admittedly fake ritual be of any use? I don't really think it can.
From reading this book, it seems to me that LaVayan Satanists may just be atheists who enjoy ritual, and are particularly not fond of Christianity to the level that they still allow it to define them; subscribing to precisely inverted teachings.
There may have been a time that Satanism was edgy or shocking, but that time has long since passed and I don't think that it has any more value than that.
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something that literally would not exist if it weren't for Christianity. It's a complete 180 to Christianity. I agree with the atheistic bits, roll my eyes at the self absorbed anti-Christian bits, and don't understand the point of the mythological occult bits as they are self defeating, not to mention author admittedly total rubbish. Anton states several times that the mythical and occult elements are not real, so why emphasize them so much? I have a hard time understanding the point of ritual for ritual sake. If you are aware of the effects of ritual, how can partaking in an admittedly fake ritual be of any use? I don't really think it can.
From reading this book, it seems to me that LaVayan Satanists may just be atheists who enjoy ritual, and are particularly not fond of Christianity to the level that they still allow it to define them; subscribing to precisely inverted teachings.
There may have been a time that Satanism was edgy or shocking, but that time has long since passed and I don't think that it has any more value than that.
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LibraryThing member wrongwayhome
It is interesting and acceptable view about way of living for me until it comes to rituals and abracadabra stuff which i find a little bit childish.
LibraryThing member Diwanna
This book, if nothing else, opened me up to new ways of looking at the world. Since reading this book in 2008 my life as completely changed, for the positive.I read this book because I was at a turning point if my life. I was struggling with some of the truths that I'd been fed since birth and this
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was something I could read that was definitely outside of that thought process. At first I hated the first chapter, which is basically just a blasphemous tirade. The second chapter is the meat of the book and philosophy. I instantly fell in love with this idea of morality and carnality. Chapters three and four are about practical magic, which can be taken one of three ways. Either you look at from the perspective of a skeptic and say "this is stupid crap", you look at it from the perspective of a right-hand religious believer and say "this is evil" or you take the third perspective of someone who understands what Anton is saying in the first two chapters "this is a psychodrama; a bit of fantasy to fulfill the emotional outlet that we might need from time to time and a way to focus on a problem to achieve a solution through an out of the ordinary way". #3 is how I see it. Show Less
LibraryThing member CarlaR
I tend to think that most people take this book too seriously. If someone has read enough Lavey then they would know that most of this he does not really take seriously himself. I like this book simply because it does make you think about a lot of things as long as you keep it in context.
LibraryThing member scorpiocurse
The Satanic Bible may look menacing with its black cover and inverted pentagram but in fact it is a great piece of literature packed with common sense and good philosophy.
LibraryThing member scottcholstad
I remember way back to my first day at college, eager to "get back" at my fundie parents for the years of brainwashing, I went out and bought this book. Only to find with first shock and then amusement that there's virtually nothing "Satanic" about it! It actually read like a freshman's guide to
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college party life. Man, that was so funny! You have to consider not only the author, but the decade/era in which it was written and maybe then you'll understand why sex, partying, yah, yah, yah make up the content. It chose to treat it as a joke, moreso than I originally intended, because one can't possibly choose to "worship" the mythological Lucifer while using this book as a basis for doing so. Two stars instead of one for amusement value. Indeed, cautiously recommended for laughs! Show Less
LibraryThing member Katrinkadink
I thought this would be a scary book, but the author's too ignorant and juvenile to be taken seriously as anything but a nut. I don't know how he ever got a following, much less any press. Clearly a disgruntled Catholic who never got beyond third grade catechism.
LibraryThing member Anagarika-Sean
This book was okay. It's basically a rant by LaVey against Christian morals, which is the basis of the Church of Satan.
LibraryThing member DVerdecia
I had read this book years ago. Although I can not presume to know the author's true motives for writing such a book, I do know that it is very easily mis-understood. I do agree with many of the observations he has against the church. To a certain degree, some of what the author has described has
What I do not agree with is the authors needs to create rituals. Why did he do this? Is it that he knew it would be controversial and sell many copies of the book? Did he really want to start a cult following?
I would recommend this book be read by everyone, just as I recommend the Bible be read by everyone. It is good to get the other perspective.
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come true (a.k.a. the church sex scandals that are going on today).What I do not agree with is the authors needs to create rituals. Why did he do this? Is it that he knew it would be controversial and sell many copies of the book? Did he really want to start a cult following?
I would recommend this book be read by everyone, just as I recommend the Bible be read by everyone. It is good to get the other perspective.
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LibraryThing member ethanlu121
Much better than Christian dogma. This is well written, and makes sense.
LibraryThing member slaveofOne
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. The handbook of philosophical Humanism and psuedo-spiritualism dressed in mock-religious ceremony and words. I only gave it 1 star because while something like "The Chants of Maldoror" is nonsense by virtue of it not trying to make much sense at all,
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this is nonsense by virtue of Lavey's ignorance and failing to argue intelligently (it also comes across in places like a teenager's immature rant). Show Less
LibraryThing member EvilCreature
I have always been interested in the occult/witchcraft so I wanted to read this book to understand atheistic Satanism, Anton LaVey didn't believe that Satan was a real interdimensional entity.
There are different types of Satanism, that have different ideologies, beliefs or spiritual practices,
LeVayan Satanists are atheistic, they do not believe that Satan or Lucifer are real interdimensional demonic entities/celestial beings.
Some Satanists might not believe demons are real either, they don't believe in human & animal sacrifice, or rape, the people that do that a devil-worshipper (they are only interested in Satanism because they think it is aesthetically cool or edgy & they want to scare people by being different but in a negative way that makes genuine Satanists look bad due to committing horrific, disturbing crimes these people are delusional/mentally ill)
I'm not a satanist/not religious but I still want to learn about Satanism & all forms of witchcraft, spiritual beliefs, customs and practices since I open-minded & a spiritual person, I have spiritual beliefs.
I respect the Greek, Norse Gods & Goddesses, Goetia demons.
There are different types of Satanism, that have different ideologies, beliefs or spiritual practices,
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some Satanists are a witch that practice black magick, necromancy, baneful magick, chaos magick. LeVayan Satanists are atheistic, they do not believe that Satan or Lucifer are real interdimensional demonic entities/celestial beings.
Some Satanists might not believe demons are real either, they don't believe in human & animal sacrifice, or rape, the people that do that a devil-worshipper (they are only interested in Satanism because they think it is aesthetically cool or edgy & they want to scare people by being different but in a negative way that makes genuine Satanists look bad due to committing horrific, disturbing crimes these people are delusional/mentally ill)
I'm not a satanist/not religious but I still want to learn about Satanism & all forms of witchcraft, spiritual beliefs, customs and practices since I open-minded & a spiritual person, I have spiritual beliefs.
I respect the Greek, Norse Gods & Goddesses, Goetia demons.
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Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1969
Physical description
272 p.; 18 cm
ISBN
0380015390 / 9780380015399
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