The Church of Satan is a philosophy of the self, not evil.
In short: Despite its name, the Church of Satan does not worship a literal devil or promote traditional 'evil.' Founded in 1966 as a counterculture movement, it serves as a vehicle for humanistic values like self-assertion and rebellion against unjust authority. It is less about theology and more about the ego.
Founded by Anton Szandor LaVey on Walpurgisnacht in 1966, the Church of Satan was born from a blend of occult teachings and humanistic philosophy. LaVey, who had spent years absorbing ritual-magic traditions as a carnival worker, codified these beliefs in 'The Satanic Bible' (1969). While many assume the church is theistic, it is actually materialistic and atheistic. It rejects the Christian concept of Satan as an entity; instead, 'His Infernal Majesty' serves as a symbol for personal liberty, individualism, and what LaVey called 'undefiled wisdom.'
The religion functions as a structured psychodrama designed to help members shed their roles as submissive weaklings. Rituals were intended to develop the ego, often featuring high-drama elements like black masses that included a nude female used as an altar. Sociologists have described the movement as a mixture of Epicureanism and Ayn Rand's philosophy, enhanced with ritual magic. LaVey notably defined his faith as merely incorporating ritual and ceremony into Ayn Rand's philosophy.
The church has faced significant internal friction since its inception. A significant split happened during the 1970s when Michael Aquino, a primary lieutenant, left to establish the competing Temple of Set; consequently, LaVey dissolved his 'grottoes.' Although membership peaked at only several thousand people, its sacred book reached sales of almost one million units during its initial period. Today, it remains a loose affiliation of individuals associated with a national headquarters, maintaining a strict rejection of 'theistic' Satanism, which they dismiss as mere devil worship.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Church of Satan | Anton LaVey, Founder, Rituals, Beliefs, & Leader | Britannica
- Also: Church of Satan
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