The Satanic Bible by Anton Szandor Lavey
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Book Reviews of The Satanic Bible
Book Review: The Foundation of Modern Satanism
Summary: 5 Stars
Before Anton LaVey, "Satanist" was not a label which people applied to themselves: it was a club with which you beat your opponents. "Satanism" was something for horror films and pulp novels, featuring nubile young ladies menaced by robe-clad knife-wielding psychopaths. LaVey was the first to synthesize a philosophy which he called Satanism ... and the first to self-identify as a Satanist. (Before him -- and after him -- most people who were called Satanists bent over backward to deny it).Before LaVey, nobody identified Friedrich Nietzsche, Ayn Rand or Jack London as "Satanic" philosophers. Indeed, a cursory view would suggest these three thinkers have little or nothing in common: Rand considered Nietzsche a syphilitic madman and despised Jack London's ardent socialism. Yet LaVey found common elements within their writing -- a rejection of herd mentality and consensus morality, a philosophy which placed Self-Aggrandization above Self-Sacrifice, and a militant atheism. These, and other writers, were the inspiration for LaVey's "Satanic Bible" ... which, in turn, was the inspiration for many who have followed in LaVey's footsteps.
LaVey's book is *not* an occult text: he is openly contemptuous of "occultniks." Rather, it is a bitter yet ultimately life-affirming rant, in the tradition of Great American Misanthropes like Mark Twain and Ambrose Bierce. If you read it the way you might read *Huckleberry Finn* or "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge," you'll Get the Point... and the Joke. (LaVey was also a humorist who frequently wrote with tongue-in-cheek... something which many of the Deadly Serious Death Metal Types all too often forget).
If you want to understand modern Satanism -- or if you want to receive a refreshing blast of bitterness and misanthropy from one of the last great cynics -- this book is a must for your collection.
Book Review: Pop Culture Satanists and Marilyn Manson fans, Beware!
Summary: 5 Stars
Hmm...basically I think this is a good book because it summarizes all the beliefs of the Church of Satan--not intended to be a word-for-word guide to living, but a book that allows *individuals* to realize that they are not necessarily alone.I, as many others, feel that there are some flaws to this philosophy, but it does have a strong immediate effect upon many people. Also, like others, the first time I read it I thought to myself, "I agree with a lot of these statements..."
To be a Satanist under the Church of Satan I do not think it is necessary to subscribe to all the statements put forth by LaVey, because it is an philosophy for *individuals*.
The first time I read this book it opened my mind even more to all types of religion/philosophy. I recommend this as good reading for *any* person questioning their own beliefs, or the beliefs of others...
The only main problem, I think, is the influence it has on pop culture Satanists--namely, those who listen to what they consider "evil" music. *Many* people seeking purpose, and therefore, rebellious "evil" in their young lives will try to attach theirselves to Satanism...
Church of Satan's form of Satanism is an *individual* philosophy for *strong-minded* *self-thinking* individuals, *not* those who wish to appear sinister or follow the others--such people are only following the herd mentality which is in complete opposition to Satanic beliefs!
In fact, much of what the Manson crew, and historically, most people claiming allegiance with Satan, do, is quite misleading from what the Church Of Satan believes in.
If you are one of these people, go ahead and buy the book if thou wilt, but realize no matter how much you try you will not become Satanic by the nature of your appearance, but only by your behavior and achievements.
Book Review: You know you like it!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're interested in Satanic philosophy, then this is the place to find it. Regardless of what you've heard on the media, you're not going to read about virgin sacrifices, black cats, bloody alters, et al, or any of the other silly crap the media loves to purport in its everlasting campaign of subjugation as to the true content of this highly controversial book.So, here's what you will find: essays about social darwinism, indulging in the happiness of love, self-improvement, independance. Doesn't sound very Satanic to me, you say?
It is.
As far as I can see, this is one of the most misunderstood books ever written, maybe even more misunderstood than the "Holy Bible" itself (and that's saying a lot).
Today, LaVey's Satanic philosophy of hedanism and self-discipline (admittedly a curious combination) is more prevelant than ever before, which is good for Satanists, bad for Christians.
Contrary to popular (i.e. false) belief, the Satanic religion, or, philosophy, is not about worshipping some idiot with horns and cloven feet....
What is"Satan" to a Satanist? For most, he's simply a symbol ofpower, lust, and genteel romanticism. The reason their philosophy iscalled Satanism, when they don't even recognise any supernaturaldeities, such as god or the devil, is because Satan is a representation of the powerful concept of stratification and elitism- hence, the "productive outcast".
Just read this book if you have not. Whether you are Satanist or not, it is enlightening and always interesting.
PS: keep an eye out for LaVey's outrageously comical humor- this guy could have done standup!...
Book Review: A damnably good laugh
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm often accused of being a Satanist just because I've read this book and like to annoy Christians by the occasional quote from it. As it is I neither believe in God nor Satan but after getting a lifelong earful from the woolly-minded sheep of God I was curious as to what their official opposition had to say.And it's quite interesting. Christianity gets the predictable (but no less well-deserved) pasting that's long overdue from an author who seems remarkably level-headed and dispenses common sense and reason in amounts that make the real Bible look quite miserly. I love his description of Jesus as "pallid incompetence hanging on a tree" and "thou art not and thou never wert" the saviour of mankind. All true, after all we're still waiting and this after Jesus promised to come back within the lifetime of those present who followed Him.
To all those Christians who say that their faith is beyond empirical proof I say we should put it to the test and conjure up a few demons to inflict some misery on them. Let me know, anyone who's contested me, if something terrible has happened to you because I might have to reconsider my position vis-a-vis this God thing. Also Sons of Adam, do yourselves a favour and read this you might find Satan more worthy of your affection than Jehovah who in the Old Testament has inflicted more misery on mankind for no good reason. Satan by comparison in the Bible has done virtually nothing. Christians are down on him for what he's supposed to do (Revelations) but you wouldn't get a conviction in court for a crime not yet committed now would you ?
Book Review: My Views
Summary: 5 Stars
I really enjoy the insight Anton delivers to the reader through the SB.
Here are a couple of comments of what else I feel.
The terms: "great-person approach, historical development approach, and Zeitgeist" apply to Anton Lavey. An Introduction to the History of Psychology by: B. R. Hergenhahn talks about these terms, and goes on to state: "New ideas are always judged within the context of existing ideas" (pg 4, sixth ed). Anton Lavey gave a new form of philosophy that others failed to do.
Vladimir Lenin once said, "A lie told often enough becomes the truth." When a Christian states that non-Christian's are being deceived by the devil, what they do not know is that the story of Jesus was told many times before the man Emanuel was even born. For example Horus, an Egyptian God, and Jesus, stories are almost word for word. However, when the Christians stole the tale they changed numbers, and some words to make it look as if it was original.
But what repulses me is when people criticize Anton lavey, then take it upon themselves and use Anton's ideas, books, and name to draw attention to themselves through YouTube, and other Internet websites.
One last thing, people say that the book only tells individuals to live a selfish life. Open your eyes, every Religion including Christians are selfish and greedy. Look at the pope or other leaders of a church, and see how they are surrounded with gold, chalices, crosses and other religious objects while the children around the world are starving.