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{{Short description|Organization dedicated to atheist Satanism}} | |||
]{{Not confuse|The Satanic Temple}} | |||
{{For|the book|The Church of Satan (book)}} | |||
{{Distinguish|The Satanic Temple}} | |||
{{third-party|date=March 2022}} | |||
{{use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} | |||
{{Infobox religion | {{Infobox religion | ||
|name = Church of Satan | |name = Church of Satan | ||
|image = ] | |image = ] | ||
|imagewidth = | |imagewidth = | ||
|caption = ], an official symbol of LaVeyan Satanism<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gilmore|first1=Magus Peter H.|title=F.A.Q. Symbols and Symbolism|url=http://www.churchofsatan.com/faq-symbols-and-symbolism.php|publisher=Church of Satan|access-date=4 April 2017|archive-date=7 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107025854/https://www.churchofsatan.com/faq-symbols-and-symbolism|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|abbreviation = CoS | |abbreviation = CoS | ||
|main_classification = ] | |||
|caption = Sigil of Baphomet, an official symbol of LaVeyan Satanism<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gilmore|first1=Magus Peter H.|title=F.A.Q. Symbols and Symbolism|url=http://www.churchofsatan.com/faq-symbols-and-symbolism.php|publisher=Church of Satan|accessdate=4 April 2017}}</ref> | |||
| |
|type = ] | ||
|orientation = ] | |orientation = ] | ||
|governance = Council of Nine | |||
|type = ] (]) | |||
|governance = ] | |||
|associations = Non-ecumenical | |associations = Non-ecumenical | ||
|structure = ] | |structure = ] | ||
Line 15: | Line 19: | ||
|founder = ] | |founder = ] | ||
|founded_date = April 30, 1966 | |founded_date = April 30, 1966 | ||
|founded_place = ], |
|founded_place = ] | ||
|separations = ] ( |
|separations = ] (1975), ] (1999) | ||
|members = Not disclosed | |members = Not disclosed | ||
|leader_title = High Priest | |leader_title = High Priest | ||
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|footnotes = | |footnotes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{LaVeyan Satanism box}} | |||
The '''Church of Satan''' is a ] dedicated to ] as codified in '']''. The Church of Satan was established at the ] in ], ], on ], April 30, 1966, by ], who was the church's ] until his death in 1997. In 2001, ] was appointed to the position of high priest, and the church's headquarters were moved to ], ].{{sfn|Popular Witchcraft: Straight from the Witch's Mouth|Jack Fritscher|2004|page=27}} | |||
{{LaVeyan Satanism box}} | |||
The church does not believe in the Devil, nor a ] or ].<ref name="wikinews">{{cite web|url=https://en.wikinews.org/Satanism:_An_interview_with_Church_of_Satan_High_Priest_Peter_Gilmore |title=Satanism: An interview with Church of Satan High Priest Peter H. Gilmore|publisher=Wikinews|date= |accessdate=2013-09-09}}</ref> High priest Peter H. Gilmore describes its members as "] ]", embracing the Hebrew root of the word "Satan" as "adversary". The church views Satan as a positive ] who represents ], ], and ], and as a symbol of defiance against the ] which LaVey criticized for what he saw as the suppression of humanity's natural instincts. | |||
The '''Church of Satan''' (CoS) is a ] dedicated to the religion of ]. Founded in San Francisco in 1966, by ], it is considered the "oldest satanic religion in continual existence", and more importantly the most influential, inspiring "numerous imitator and breakaway groups".<ref name=JPLS2023:sect.4/>{{#tag:ref|Religious studies scholar R. Van Luijk writes, “Genealogically speaking, every known Satanist group or organization in the world today derives directly or indirectly from LaVey’s 1966 Church of Satan, even if they are dismissive of LaVey or choose to emphasize other real or alleged forerunners of Satanism.”<ref name=Footnote9>R. van Luijk, Children of Lucifer: The Origins of Modern Religious Satanism (New York: Oxford University Press, 2016), p. 305.</ref>|group=Note}} According to the Church, Satanism has been "codified" as "a religion and philosophy" by LaVey and his church.<ref name="CoS-TST-FS">{{cite web |last1=Ethan |first1=Joel |title=The Satanic Temple Fact Sheet |url=https://www.churchofsatan.com/the-satanic-temple-fact-sheet/ |website=Church of Satan |access-date=11 January 2024}}</ref> Founded in an era when there was much public interest in the ], ] and ], the church enjoyed a heyday for several years after its founding. Celebrities attended LaVey's satanic parties and he was invited on talk shows. His '']'' sold nearly a million copies.<ref name="JPLS2023:sect.4">]: section 4. The Church of Satan</ref><ref>Owen Davies, ''Grimoires: A History of Magic Books'' (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009), p. 274.</ref> | |||
LaVey was the church's ] until his death in 1997.<ref name="CoS" /> In 2001, ] was appointed to the position of high priest, and the church's headquarters were moved to ], ]. Members do not believe that ] literally exists and do not worship him.<ref name="Satanism-Introduction">{{cite web |author-last=Abrams |author-first=Joe |editor-last=Wyman |editor-first=Kelly |date=Spring 2006 |title=The Religious Movements Homepage Project - Satanism: An Introduction |url=http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/satanism/intro.html#atheistic/theistic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829152745/http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/satanism/intro.html#atheistic/theistic |archive-date=29 August 2006 |website=virginia.edu |publisher=] |access-date=1 January 2021}}</ref> Instead, Satan is viewed as a positive ] embracing the Hebrew root of the word "Satan" as "adversary", who represents ], ], and ], humanity's natural instincts which ] have wrongly suppressed. According to High Priest Peter H. Gilmore, Satan is "a name for the reservoir of power inside each human to be tapped at will" | |||
The Church of Satan describes its structural basis as a ] that is "an underground cell-system of individuals who share the basis of philosophy".{{sfn|Handbook of Religion and the Authority of Science|James R. Lewis, Olav Hammer|2010|p=86}} Membership in the Church of Satan is available on two levels: registered membership and active membership. Registered members are those who choose to affiliate on a formal level by filing out the required information and sending a one time registration fee. Active membership is available for those who wish to take a more active role in the organization, and is subject to the completion of a more comprehensive application.{{sfn|Investigating Religious Terrorism and Ritualistic Crimes|Dawn Perlmutter|2004|page=128}} The organization does not disclose official membership numbers. The church provides ], ], and baptismal services to members. Such ceremonies are performed by a member of the church's priesthood. | |||
.<ref name="CoS">{{cite web |url=http://www.churchofsatan.com/home.html |title=Official Church of Satan Website |publisher=Churchofsatan.com |date= |access-date=2023-01-09 |archive-date=2012-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701104244/http://www.churchofsatan.com/home.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In LaVey's book, '']'', the Satanist's concept of a God is described as the Satanist's true "self"— a projection of his or her own personality, not an external deity.{{sfn|Wright|1993|p=143}} Satan is used as a representation of personal liberty and individualism.{{sfn|Cavaglion|Sela-Shayovitz|2005|p=255}} | |||
The Church |
The Church dismisses the idea of a “Satanic Community” and does not share membership lists with its members, arguing members are "radical individualists" who "may share very little in common beyond" being Satanists.<ref name="Gilmore-Myth">{{cite web |last1=Gilmore |first1=Peter H. |title=Myth of the 'Satanic Community' and other Virtual Delusions by Magus Peter H. Gilmore |url=https://www.churchofsatan.com/myth-of-satanic-community/ |website=Church of Satan |access-date=7 January 2024}}</ref> The Church rejects the legitimacy of any other organizations who claim to be Satanists.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ohlheiser |first=Abby |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/national/wp/2014/11/07/the-church-of-satan-wants-you-to-stop-calling-these-devil-worshipping-alleged-murderers-satanists/ |title=The Church of Satan wants you to stop calling these 'devil worshiping' alleged murderers Satanists |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2014-11-07 |access-date=2015-11-19}}</ref><ref>]</ref> Scholars agree that there is no reliably documented case of Satanic continuity prior to the founding of the Church of Satan.{{sfn|Asprem|Granholm|2014|p=75}} It was the first organized church in modern times to be devoted to the figure of Satan,{{sfn|Lewis|2002|p=5}} and according to Faxneld and Petersen, the Church represented "the first public, highly visible, and long-lasting organization which propounded a coherent satanic discourse".{{sfn|Faxneld|Petersen|2013|p=81}} | ||
==Beliefs== | ==Beliefs== | ||
{{main|LaVeyan Satanism}} | |||
LaVey described his religion as "just ]'s philosophy with ceremony and ritual added";{{sfn|Lewis|2002|p=9}} similarly, sociologist of religion ] described it as "a blend of ] and Ayn Rand's philosophy, flavored with a pinch of ]."{{sfn|Lewis|2002|p=2}} There is no belief in or worship of the Devil or a ].<ref name="wikinews">{{cite news |url=https://en.wikinews.org/Satanism:_An_interview_with_Church_of_Satan_High_Priest_Peter_Gilmore |title=Satanism: An interview with Church of Satan High Priest Peter Gilmore|newspaper=Wikinews|date= 5 November 2007|access-date=2013-09-09}}</ref> High priest Peter Gilmore describes its members as "skeptical atheists", indicating the Hebrew root of the word "Satan" as "adversary" or "opposer."<ref>{{Cite web |title=H7854 - śāṭān - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv) |url=https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/gen/1/1/s_1001 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Blue Letter Bible |language=en}}</ref> Gilmore rejects the legitimacy of ], who believe Satan to be a supernatural being or force that may be contacted or supplicated to, dubbing them "devil worshipers".<ref name="wikinews"/> In an interview with David Shankbone, High Priest Peter Gilmore stated "My real feeling is that anybody who believes in supernatural entities on some level is insane. Whether they believe in the Devil or God, they are abdicating reason." He added, "Satanism begins with atheism. We begin with the universe and say, 'It’s indifferent. There’s no God, there’s no Devil. No one cares!'"<ref name="gilmoreinterview">], David Shankbone, '']'', November 5, 2007.</ref> According to Gilmore, | |||
] | |||
{{blockquote|We do not believe in the supernatural. To the Satanist, he is his own God. Satan is a symbol of Man living as his prideful, carnal nature dictates. Some Satanists extend this symbol to encompass the evolutionary "force" of entropy that permeates all of nature and provides the drive for survival and propagation inherent in all living things. To the Satanist, Satan is not a conscious entity to be worshiped, rather it is a name for the reservoir of power inside each human to be tapped at will | |||
.<ref name="CoS"/>}} | |||
The church has stated its contention that they are the first formally organized religion to adopt the term "Satanism" and describes the term "Theistic Satanism" as "]ic".<ref>{{cite web|title=F.A.Q. Fundamental Beliefs|url=https://www.churchofsatan.com/faq-fundamental-beliefs/|publisher=Church of Satan|access-date=30 January 2023|archive-date=22 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222212500/https://www.churchofsatan.com/faq-fundamental-beliefs/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
LaVey's views on magic were ambiguous. He insisted Satanism was a "] philosophy" but also often talked of magic.<ref name=JPLS2023:sect.5>]: section 5. The Temple of Set and Esoteric Satanism. The Temple of Set</ref> | |||
He included this rule in his "Rules of the Earth":<ref name=JPLS2023:sect.5/> | |||
{{blockquote|Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained.”<ref name=Footnote132>LaVey, “Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth.”</ref>}} | |||
LaVey also often talked of a "Satanic magical formula" of "nine parts respectability to one part outrageousness",<ref name="JPLS2023:sect.4-LaVey’s">]: section 4. The Church of Satan. LaVey’s Satanism</ref> satanism requiring some element of sinisterness, but not so much as to put off potential congregants. The "Rules of the Earth" in LaVey's Satanic Bible specifically prohibited unwanted sexual advances and harming animals or children,<ref>{{cite web |author=A. S. LaVey|title=The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth |date= 1967 |website=Church of Satan |url= https://www.churchofsatan.com/eleven-rules-of-earth |access-date=8 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=A. S. LaVey|title=The Nine Satanic Sins |date= 1987|url= https://www.churchofsatan.com/nine-satanic-sins |website=Church of Satan}}</ref> but the Church also "often featured a nude woman serving as an altar" in its black masses.<ref name=JPLS2023:sect.4-Magic>]: section 4. The Church of Satan. From the Magic Circle to the Church of Satan</ref> | |||
The Church does not espouse a belief in ] as an entity who literally exists,{{sfn|Harvey|1995|p=290}} and LaVey did not encourage the worship of Satan as a deity.{{sfn|La Fontaine|1999|p=97}} In an interview with ], High Priest Peter H. Gilmore stated "My real feeling is that anybody who believes in supernatural entities on some level is insane. Whether they believe in the Devil or God, they are abdicating reason".<ref name="gilmoreinterview"/> Gilmore defines the word "Satan" as "a model or a mode of behavior", noting that in Hebrew the word means "adversary" or "opposer", which can be regarded as "one who questions".<ref name="gilmoreinterview"/> Gilmore describes Satanism as beginning with atheism, and taking the view that the universe is indifferent: "There’s no God, there’s no Devil. No one cares!"<ref name="gilmoreinterview">], David Shankbone, '']'', November 5, 2007.</ref> LaVey sought to cement his belief system within the ] world-view that derived from ], thus providing him with an atheistic basis with which to criticize ] and other supernaturalist beliefs.{{sfnm|1a1=Lewis|1y=2002|1p=4|2a1=Petersen|2y=2005|2p=434}} He legitimized his religion by highlighting what he claimed was its rational nature, contrasting this with what he saw as the supernaturalist irrationality of established religions.{{sfn|Lewis|2002|p=4}} | |||
Though not emphasizing social or political causes, like ], LaVey explicitly opposed ] and supported ], calling for the end of the “myth of ‘equality’”, which only “supports the weak at the expense of the strong”.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pentagonal Revisionism: A Five-Point Program |website=Church of Satan |url=https://www.churchofsatan.com/pentagonal-revisionism/ |date=1988 |last1=LaVey |first1=Anton |access-date=8 January 2023}}</ref> But he also suggested that in loving themselves, ] developed the ability to love others. He was quoted as saying, “If Satanists didn’t care, they wouldn’t be so dark and pessimistic.”<ref name=Footnote-88>B. Barton, The Secret Life of a Satanist: The Authorized Biography of Anton LaVey (Los Angeles, CA: Feral House, 1990), p. 213.</ref><ref name="JPLS2023:sect.4-LaVey’s"/> | |||
Church members may also participate in a system of magic which LaVey defined as ].{{sfnm|1a1=Gardell|1y=2003|1p=289|2a1=Petersen|2y=2012|2pp=95–96|3a1=Lap|3y=2013|3p=97}} Greater magic is a form of ] practice and is meant as ] ] to focus one's emotional energy for a specific purpose; lesser magic is the practice of ] by means of ] and ] (or ]) to bend an individual or situation to one's will.{{sfn|The Command to Look: A Master Photographer's Method for Controlling the Human Gaze|George Dunham|2014|page=203}} Although many of LaVey's ideas are shaped around a secular and scientific world-view, others express the belief that there are various magical forces in existence; rather than characterising these as ], LaVey expressed the view that they were part of the natural world yet thus far undiscovered by science.{{sfn|Lewis|2002|pp=3–4}} He believed that the successful use of magic involved the magician manipulating these natural forces using the force of their own willpower,{{sfn|Lewis|2002|p=4}} a trait of the religion that has been compared with ] and ].{{sfn|Lewis|2002|p=4}} Outlined in ''The Satanic Bible'', LaVey defined magic as "the change in situations or events in accordance with one's will, which would, using normally accepted methods, be unchangeable."{{sfnm|1a1=Gardell|1y=2003|1pp=288–289|2a1=Petersen|2y=2012|2p=95|3a1=Lap|3y=2013|3p=96}} | |||
The term "Theistic Satanism" has been described as "]ic" by the church and its High Priest.<ref name="churchofsatan.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.churchofsatan.com/faq-fundamental-beliefs.php|title=F.A.Q. Fundamental Beliefs|author1=High Priest |author2=Magus Peter H. Gilmore |work=churchofsatan.com}}</ref> The Church of Satan rejects the legitimacy of any other organizations who claim to be Satanists, atheistic or otherwise,<ref name=Stop>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/national/wp/2014/11/07/the-church-of-satan-wants-you-to-stop-calling-these-devil-worshipping-alleged-murderers-satanists/|title=The Church of Satan wants you to stop calling these 'devil worshiping' alleged murderers Satanists |date=7 November 2014 |website=The Washington Post |last=Ohlheiser |first=Abby |accessdate=2015-11-19}}</ref> dubbing them reverse-Christians, pseudo-Satanists or Devil worshipers.<ref name=Stop/> | |||
Prominent Church leader ] described Satanism as "an alignment, a lifestyle".{{sfn|La Fontaine|1999|p=99}} LaVey and the Church espoused the view that "Satanists are born, not made";{{sfn|Contemporary Religious Satanism: A Critical Anthology|Petersen|2009|p=9}} that they are outsiders by their nature, living as they see fit,{{sfn|The Devil's Party: Satanism in Modernity|Faxneld, Petersen|2013|p=129}} who are self-realized in a religion which appeals to the would-be Satanist's nature, leading them to realize they are Satanists through finding a belief system that is in line with their own perspective and lifestyle.{{sfn|Satanism Today|Lewis|2001|p=330}} Adherents to the philosophy have described Satanism as a ] religion of the ], or "...the world's first ] religion".{{sfn|Who's? Right: Mankind, Religions & The End Times|Warman-Stallings|2012||p=35}} The "central convictions" of the Church are formulated in the ], ], ], and ], which are regularly reproduced within the Church of Satan's written material.{{sfn|Petersen|2005|p=431}} | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Early years=== | |||
===Pre-establishment (1950s–1965)=== | |||
<!-- Commented out: ] --> | |||
In the 1960s Anton Szandor LaVey formed a group called the Order of the Trapezoid, which later became the governing body of the Church of Satan. The group included: "The Baroness" Carin de Plessen, Dr. Cecil Nixon, ], San Francisco ] Russell Wolden, and Donald Werby.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lacey|first=Michael|title=Pieces of the Action: What's worse? A venture capitalist or a guy who smokes cunderage hookers?|url=http://www.sfweekly.com/2007-06-20/news/pieces-of-the-action/|publisher=SF Weekly Jun 20 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title="Satan's Den in Great Disrepair" Lattin, Don (January 25, 1999) |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=%2Fchronicle%2Farchive%2F1999%2F01%2F25%2FMN77329.DTL |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |url-status=dead |date=January 25, 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720054934/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=%2Fchronicle%2Farchive%2F1999%2F01%2F25%2FMN77329.DTL |archive-date=July 20, 2014 |access-date=May 29, 2012 }}</ref> According to the Church of Satan historiography, other LaVey associates from this time include noted ] and ] writers ], ], Robert Barbour Johnson, ], ], ], ], ],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/has-the-church-of-satan-gone-to-hell/Content?oid=2135375|title=Has the Church of Satan Gone to Hell?|first=Jack|last=Boulware|newspaper=SF Weekly|location=San Francisco|access-date=March 15, 2015|date=June 17, 1998|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402160647/http://www.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/has-the-church-of-satan-gone-to-hell/Content?oid=2135375|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.churchofsatan.com/cos-order-of-trapezoid.php |title=A Brief History of the Church of Satan 2. The Magic Circle |publisher=Churchofsatan.com |date= |access-date=2011-01-20}}</ref> | |||
The Church of Satan was established at the ] in San Francisco, California, on ], April 30, 1966, by LaVey, who was the church's High Priest until his death in 1997.<ref name="CoS"/> | |||
In 1956, LaVey purchased a Victorian house in the Richmond District of San Francisco, which he painted black.{{sfn|Satanism Today|James R. Lewis|2016|p=145}} During the late 1950s, LaVey hosted Friday night lectures on occult subjects at his house. The process of writing his lectures led him to distill his philosophy based on his earlier research into topics considered bizarre and arcane, and experiences as a psychic investigator and hypnotist, as well as work in the carnivals.{{sfn|Satanism Today|James R. Lewis|2016|p=146}} He gradually gathered regular visitors who became known as the “Magic Circle”.{{sfn|The Invention of Satanism|2016|p=52}} During this time, LaVey also held “witches workshops”, classes to instruct women on the art of seduction and manipulation through glamour and feminine wiles.{{sfn|Satanism Today|James R. Lewis|2001|p=146}} According to sociologist and early group affiliate, Randall Alfred, these “workshops” included “various aspects of Satanism” and were part of the Friday night lectures.{{sfn|The Invention of Satanism|2016|p=54}} Though actual numbers are unknown, it has been suggested that the group comprised around twenty people. Accounts suggest that the “circle” included authors, artists, doctors, policemen, and academics among other professions.{{sfn|The Invention of Satanism|2016|p=52}} | |||
In the first year of its foundation, LaVey and the Church of Satan publicly performed a Satanic marriage of Judith Case and journalist John Raymond. The ceremony was attended by ]. LaVey performed the first publicly recorded Satanic baptism in history for his youngest daughter ], which garnered worldwide publicity and was originally recorded on ''The Satanic Mass'' LP.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Satanic Mass/Zeena's Baptism Track A9 go to 3:42| website=] |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=s_M09vuLQAc&NR=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Satanic Mass, Track A9 (Zeena's Baptism)|date=1968 |url=http://www.discogs.com/Anton-LaVey-The-Satanic-Mass/release/1166426|publisher=Murgenstrumm, 1968 Vinly LP}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Satanist Anton LaVey Baptising Daughter|url=http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/U1556387/satanist-anton-lavey-baptising-daughter|publisher=Bettmann/CORBIS|location=San Francisco, California, USA|date=May 23, 1967|quote=LaVey said the mystic ceremony was the first such baptism in history.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=clippings of Zeena's baptism world wide|url=http://zeena.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=109%3Apress-coverage-of-zeenas-baptism-1967-1968&catid=41&Itemid=57}}</ref> A Satanic funeral for naval machinist-repairman, third-class Edward Olsen, was performed at the request of his wife, complete with an ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Navy Machinist's Mate Third Class Edward D. Olsen, 26 |url=https://www.alamy.com/navy-machinists-mate-third-class-edward-d-olsen-26-who-was-killed-in-an-automobile-accident-is-buried-with-a-navy-honor-guard-and-the-rites-of-the-satanic-church-which-consigned-his-soul-to-the-devil-dec-11-1967-high-priest-anton-lavey-wearing-cape-at-right-and-holding-the-book-of-black-magic-presided-over-the-service-while-a-navy-bugler-blew-taps-ap-photorobert-w-klein-image521599288.html |website=Almy |access-date=6 January 2024}}</ref> | |||
In the early 1960s ] formed a group called the Order of the Trapezoid, which later became the governing body of the Church of Satan. The group included: "The Baroness" Carin de Plessen, Dr. Cecil Nixon, ], City Assessor Russell Wolden, and Donald Werby.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lacey|first=Michael|title=Pieces of the Action: What's worse? A venture capitalist or a guy who smokes cunderage hookers?|url=http://www.sfweekly.com/2007-06-20/news/pieces-of-the-action/|publisher=SF Weekly Jun 20 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title="Satan's Den in Great Disrepair" Lattin, Don (January 25, 1999) |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=%2Fchronicle%2Farchive%2F1999%2F01%2F25%2FMN77329.DTL |publisher=San Francisco Chronicle |deadurl=yes |date=January 25, 1999 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920172825/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=%2Fchronicle%2Farchive%2F1999%2F01%2F25%2FMN77329.DTL |archivedate=September 20, 2011 |df= }}</ref> According to the Church of Satan historiography, other LaVey associates from this time include noted ] and ] writers ], ], Robert Barbour Johnson, ], ], ], ], ],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/has-the-church-of-satan-gone-to-hell/Content?oid=2135375|title=Has the Church of Satan Gone to Hell?|first=Jack|last=Boulware|newspaper=SF Weekly|location=San Francisco|access-date=March 15, 2015|date=June 17, 1998}}</ref> and ] | |||
The Church of Satan was the subject of a number of books, magazine and newspaper articles during the 1960s and 1970s. It is also the subject of a documentary, '']'' (1970). LaVey appeared in ]'s film '']'', acted as technical adviser on '']'', which starred ], ], and introduced ]. The Church of Satan was also featured in a segment of ]'s film ''Angeli Bianchi, Angeli Neri'', released in the United States as ''Witchcraft '70''.<ref name="IMDb-W70">{{cite web |title=Witchcraft '70 Original title: Angeli bianchi... angeli neri |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066577/ |website=IMDb |access-date=7 January 2024 |quote=A mondo style report of satanic rites from around the world. Includes devil worshipping, voodoo cults, church of satan, black magic, naked exorcism and pagan rituals.}}</ref> | |||
In the mid-60's, prior to the publishing of '']'', LaVey's writings were disseminated among his circle in the form of a series of papers known as the “rainbow sheets”, an assortment of essays describing the philosophy, presented as “an introduction to Satanism”. These essays were later featured in ''The Book of Lucifer''. In addition was a paper describing magic and containing instructions for the practice or ritual.{{sfn|Contemporary Religious Satanism: A Critical Anthology|Jesper Aagaard Petersen|2009|p=48}}{{sfn|Handbook of Religion and the Authority of Science|Lewis, Hammer|2010|p=78}} | |||
One attempt to establish the church abroad was done in connection with Maarten Lamers of the Netherlands who read The Satanic Bible and in 1971 flew to San Francisco to meet LaVey. Back in Amsterdam, Lamers established the first CoS grotto outside the U.S. -- the Magistralis Grotto or the ''Kerk van Satan''. The "Kerk" was in the ] and connected to club called Walpurga Abbey where customers could paid by the minute to observe “monastic sisters” of the Abbey masturbate on stage. Lamers insisted that since the sisters were "performing religious acts of sexual magic", Walpurga Abbey was tax-exempt. The Dutch government disagreed and in 1987, "after a decade of police raids and legal battles", Lamers was compelled to pay 10 million guilders in back taxes.<ref name=JPLS2023:sect.4-Rise/> | |||
===Formation, rituals and publicity (1966–1978)=== | |||
In 1972, LaVey stopped holding weekly rituals at the Black House and announced these would be done at the local grottos. Then on September 27, 1974, he declared the end of all regional organizations and that individual members and grottos should report to the Church's Central Grotto in San Francisco. LaVey called this move “Phase IV of his master plan”<ref name=JPLS2023:sect.4-Rise>]: section 4. The Church of Satan. The Rise and Fall of Anton LaVey</ref> | |||
LaVey founded the Church of Satan on ] of 1966, which he proclaimed to be "the Year One", ''Anno Satanas''—the first year of the "Age of Satan".{{sfn|The Invention of Satanism|2006|page=52}} LaVey began performing weekly Satanic rituals with followers at his house in ], which was known as "the ]".{{sfn|Baddeley|2010|pp=66, 71}} In February 1967, LaVey and the Church performed a much publicized Satanic marriage of Judith Case and journalist John Raymond. The ceremony was attended by ]. LaVey performed the first publicly recorded Satanic baptism in history for his youngest daughter ], which garnered worldwide publicity and was originally recorded on ''The Satanic Mass'' LP.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Satanic Mass/Zeena's Baptism Track A9 go to 3:42|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_M09vuLQAc&NR=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Satanic Mass, Track A9 (Zeena's Baptism)|url=http://www.discogs.com/Anton-LaVey-The-Satanic-Mass/release/1166426|publisher=Murgenstrumm, 1968 Vinly LP}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Satanist Anton LaVey Baptising Daughter|url=http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/U1556387/satanist-anton-lavey-baptising-daughter|publisher=Bettmann/CORBIS|location=San Francisco, California, USA|date=May 23, 1967|quote=LaVey said the mystic ceremony was the first such baptism in history.|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525095013/http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/U1556387/satanist-anton-lavey-baptising-daughter|archivedate=May 25, 2013|df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=clippings of Zeena's baptism world wide|url=http://zeena.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=109%3Apress-coverage-of-zeenas-baptism-1967-1968&catid=41&Itemid=57}}</ref> | |||
=== Schisms === | |||
LaVey attracted a number of celebrities to join his Church, most notably ] and ].{{sfn|Baddeley|2010|p=72}} LaVey also established branches of the Church, known as ''grottos'', in various parts of the United States; these included the Babylon Grotto in ], the Stygian Grotto in ], and the Lilith Grotto in ].{{sfn|Baddeley|2010|p=74}} The Church of Satan was the subject of a number of books, magazine and newspaper articles during the 1960s and 1970s. It is also the subject of a documentary, '']'' (1970). LaVey appeared in ]'s film '']'', acted as technical adviser on '']'', which starred ], ], and introduced ]. | |||
Starting in the early 1970s, the Church faced internal ] and a series of ]s. The first breakaway was by the Babylonian Grotto and its leader Wayne West, who LaVey ]. A bigger schism happened with the excommunication of the Stygian Grotto, whose leader established the Church of Satanic Brotherhood in 1973 with units in Dayton, Indianapolis, Louisville, New York City, and St. Petersburg (FL). From the Church's Belphegor Grotto, another splinter group created the Order of the Black Goat, which was allegedly ] in orientation, led by Michael Grumbowski. A later, more resilient offshoot was the World Church of Satanic Liberation, which ran from 1986 to 2011.<ref>Foertsch, Steven. "An organizational analysis of the schismatic Church of Satan." ''Review of Religious Research'' 64, no. 1 (2022): 55-76, pp. 61-62</ref> | |||
In 1975, the Church of Satan underwent a significant fracture. ], the editor of the church newsletter and a fairly high level leader in the church, who disagreed with LaVey's changes, left to found the ], taking a significant portion of the CoS leadership with him. This schism involved the largest Church branch, the Nineveh Grotto in NJ, and the Lilith Grotto in NY, among others. The Temple of Set reportedly had more than 500 members at its founding, although Anton LaVey claimed that only 29 people left.<ref>Foertsch, Steven. "An organizational analysis of the schismatic Church of Satan." ''Review of Religious Research'' 64, no. 1 (2022): 55-76, pp. 63-4</ref> | |||
LaVey ceased conducting group rituals and workshops in his home in 1972.{{sfn|Lap|2013|p=84}} In 1973, church leaders in Michigan, Ohio, and Florida split to form their own Church of Satanic Brotherhood, however this disbanded in 1974 when one of its founders publicly converted to ].{{sfn|Lewis|2002|p=7}} Subsequently, members of the Church of Satan based in Kentucky and Indiana left to found the Ordo Templi Satanis.{{sfn|Lewis|2002|p=7}} In 1975, LaVey phased out the Church's "Grotto" system and eliminated people he thought were using the Church as a substitute for accomplishment in the outside world. Thereafter, conventional achievement in society would be the criterion for advancement within the Church of Satan. | |||
LaVey announced that the Temple of Set schism was not a setback but "Phase V" of his master plan,<ref name="JPLS2023:sect.4-Rise" /> however, according to author Amina Lap, from this point on Satanism became a "splintered and disorganized movement".{{sfn|Lap|2013|p=84}} | |||
===1980s and early 1990s and "Satanic Panic"=== | |||
Schisms from the Church were caused by several factors, according to sociologist Foertsch. He focused on differences in costliness or ] for members, disputes over authority and ], and opportunities for ] in the American ] world of ]ism, and persecution of alleged Satanists during the ] (described below) of the 1980s.<ref>Foertsch, Steven. "An organizational analysis of the schismatic Church of Satan." ''Review of Religious Research'' 64, no. 1 (2022): 55-76.</ref> | |||
In the 1980s the media reported concerns of criminal conspiracies within the Church of Satan. The FBI would later issue an official report refuting the criminal conspiracy theories of this time. This phenomenon became known as the "]". LaVey's daughter ] was the spokesperson and High Priestess in the Church of Satan during the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zeena Schreck Interview in Vice Magazine, Beelzebub's Daughter, by Annette Lamothe-Ramos|url=https://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/beelzebubs-daughter-0000175-v19n4}}</ref> During this period, she appeared on television and radio broadcasts, in part to educate about the Church, and in part to debunk the mythology surrounding the Satanic Panic — a period of time in the same era in which Satanism was blamed for the actions of ]. | |||
The same year LaVey painted the Black House beige to lessen unwanted attention and "largely retired from public life".<ref>R. van Luijk, ''Children of Lucifer: The Origins of Modern Religious Satanism'' (New York: Oxford University Press, 2016), p. 363</ref> (In 1986, the Black House was repainted black.) According to at least one critic, James R. Lewis, LaVey was not instituting "a Master Plan" but demonstrating that he “was not up to making the necessary personal sacrifices that being a founding prophet and leader required" because his motives for founding the Church were personal enrichment and self-aggrandizement, not spreading some religious truth.<ref name="Footnote-118">R. Lewis, ''Legitimating New Religions'' (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2003), p.111.</ref> | |||
From then until her renunciation of the Church of Satan in 1990, Zeena appeared in such nationally syndicated programs as '']'', ''] with ]'', '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']''. The appearances were made at the behest of the Church of Satan as its spokesperson. She did this on behalf of her father ], who was no longer interested in making media appearances, as she stated while being interviewed alongside her husband by televangelist ].<ref name="The First Family of Satanism">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WcKrdFHTds | |||
| title = | |||
| location = Denver Colorado | |||
| airdate = 1989 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
===1980s, early 1990s, and "Satanic Panic"=== | |||
In the 1980s and 1990s remaining members of the Church of Satan became active in media appearances to refute allegations of criminal activity. The Church of Satan and its members were very active in producing movies, music, films, and magazines devoted to Satanism. Most notably ]'s ] publishing, the music of ], musician ], and the films of ] (a.k.a. A. Wyatt Mann),<ref>{{cite web|title=Nick Bougas, a.k.a. A Wyatt Mann|url=http://garrisongraphics.blogspot.de/2015/02/racist-and-anti-semtic-cartoonist-wyatt.html|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219122857/http://garrisongraphics.blogspot.de/2015/02/racist-and-anti-semtic-cartoonist-wyatt.html|archivedate=2015-02-19|df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Buzzfeed article by Joseph Bernstein "History Of The Internet’s Favorite Anti-Semitic Image"|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/josephbernstein/the-surprisingly-mainstream-history-of-the-internets-favorit#.xfzZKwrNG}}</ref> including his documentary '']''.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} The Church of Satan and Anton LaVey were also the subject of numerous magazine and news articles during this time.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} | |||
In the 1980s a phenomenon that became known as the "]" arose and the media reported concerns of criminal conspiracies by the Church of Satan. According to a report released in 2020, LaVey indicated to FBI agents who interviewed him on October 31, 1980 that he had lost interest in the Church. | |||
{{blockquote|“LAVEY STATED THAT HE IS WELL AWARE THAT MOST PEOPLE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHURCH OF SATAN ARE IN FACT ‘FANATICS, CULTISTS, AND WEIRDOES.’ HE STATED HIS INTEREST IN THE CHURCH OF SATAN IS STRICTLY FROM A MONETARY POINT OF VIEW AND SPENDS HIS TIME FURNISHING INTERVIEWS, WRITING MATERIALS, AND LATELY HAS BECOME INTERESTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY.”<ref name=Footnote119>Federal Bureau of Investigation, “Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Acts Release – Subject: Anton LaVey,” capitalization as in original. quoted in Joseph Laycock, ''Satanism'', 2023</ref><ref name=JPLS2023:sect.4-Rise/>}} (Kenneth Lanning, an ] expert in investigating child sexual abuse,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress02/heimbach050102.htm |title=Testimony of Michael J. Heimbach, Crimes Against Children Unit |last=Heimbach |first=MJ |date=2002-05-01 |publisher=United States Congress |access-date=2008-04-30 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061230100851/http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress02/heimbach050102.htm | archive-date = 2006-12-30}}</ref> produced a report on Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA) in 1994 aimed at child protection authorities, in which wrote that despite hundreds of investigations, no corroboration of SRA had been found. Following this report, several convictions based on SRA allegations were overturned and the defendants released.)<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nathan |first=Debbie |title=Satan's Silence: Ritual Abuse and the Making of a Modern American Witch Hunt |year=1995 |isbn=9780595189557 |publication-date=January 1, 1995 |pages=230|publisher=iUniverse }}</ref> | |||
During the 1980s and 90s, LaVey was no longer interested in making media appearances, and began a "long period of silence", becoming "increasingly reclusive",<ref name=JPLS2023:sect.4-Rise/> he began sending his daughter Zeena to represent the CoS. She appeared on television and radio broadcasts, (including '']'', ''] with ]'', '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']''), {{#tag:ref|She explained that she did this on behalf of her father while being interviewed alongside her husband by televangelist ].<ref name="The First Family of Satanism">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WcKrdFHTds | title = The First Family of Satanism | website = ] | place = Denver Colorado | date = 1989}}</ref>|group=Note}} | |||
in part to educate about the Church, and in part to debunk Satanic ritual abuse and any connection between it and true Satanism, and specifically the Church of Satan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDNwdcKdboQ | title = KJTV Interviews Zeena LaVey | website = ] | place = Los Angeles | date = 1987}}</ref> She also became a High Priestess in the Church during this time<ref>{{cite web|title=Zeena Schreck Interview in Vice Magazine, Beelzebub's Daughter, by Annette Lamothe-Ramos|date=26 September 2012 |url=http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/beelzebubs-daughter-0000175-v19n4}}</ref> and in 1988, married ], a prominent CoS member and changed her name to Zeena Schreck.<ref name=JPLS2023:sect.4-Rise/> | |||
In the 1980s and 1990s remaining members of the Church of Satan became active in media appearances to refute allegations of criminal activity. Members of the Church who were active in producing movies, music, films, and magazines devoted to Satanism include ]'s ] publishing, the musician ], musician ], and the filmmaker Nick Bougas (a.k.a. A. Wyatt Mann).<ref>{{cite web|title=Nick Bougas, a.k.a. A Wyatt Mann|url=http://garrisongraphics.blogspot.de/2015/02/racist-and-anti-semtic-cartoonist-wyatt.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Buzzfeed article by Joseph Bernstein "History Of The Internet's Favorite Anti-Semitic Image"|website=] |date=5 February 2015 |url=http://www.buzzfeed.com/josephbernstein/the-surprisingly-mainstream-history-of-the-internets-favorit#.xfzZKwrNG}}</ref> | |||
On Walpurgisnacht 30 April 1990, Zeena formally renounced any association with the Church or LaVey, whom she now called her “unfather.” She and her husband joined the Temple of Set for a time but in 2002 formed the ], their own occult left-hand path group. Not long after, Zeena testified against LaVey on behalf of her mother, Diane Hegarty. The court awarded Hegarty half of LaVey’s property, bankrupting him.<ref name=JPLS2023:sect.4-Rise/> | |||
===After LaVey=== | ===After LaVey=== | ||
After Anton Szandor LaVey's death on October 29, 1997, the role of High Priest was empty for some time. On November 7, 1997<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oocities.org/athens/olympus/6666/obit5.html |title='Black Pope' of Satanic Church dies aged 67 |agency=Reuters |location=San Francisco |date=November 7, 1997 |first=Andrew |last=Quinn}}</ref> ] made a press release about continuing the church with fellow high priestess ]. Barton eventually received ownership of the organization, which she held for 4 years. Karla LaVey ultimately left the Church of Satan and founded ]. On October 16, 2001, the Black House, the original home of the Church, was demolished after a fundraising effort failed to raise enough to buy it.<ref name=ft.135>{{cite web |last1= Gilmore |first1=Peter H. |title="Yes, We Have No Occultism." |url=https://www.churchofsatan.com/yes-we-have-no-occultism/ |accessdate=8 January 2024}}</ref> (In 1992, LaVey had sold the house to a real estate developer to raise money to settle a divorce but the developer allowed LaVey to continue to live in the house for free.)<ref name=JPLS2023:sect.4-Rise/> | |||
].]] | |||
]]] | |||
{{Wikinews|Satanism: An interview with Church of Satan High Priest Peter Gilmore}} | {{Wikinews|Satanism: An interview with Church of Satan High Priest Peter Gilmore}} | ||
In 2001, Blanche ceded her position to longtime members Peter H. Gilmore and ], the current High Priest and High Priestess and publishers of '']'', the official magazine of The Church of Satan, who managed an active CoS group in New York. The Central Office of the Church of Satan has also moved from San Francisco to New York City's ] neighborhood, where the couple resides. The Church of Satan does not recognize any other organizations as holding legitimate claim to Satanism and its practice, though it does recognize that one need not be a member of the Church of Satan to be a Satanist. | |||
In October 2004, the ] officially recognised its first registered Satanist, 24-year-old Chris Cranmer, as a technician aboard {{HMS|Cumberland|F85|6}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3948329.stm |title=UK | Navy approves first ever Satanist |publisher=BBC News |date=2004-10-24 |access-date=2009-06-07}}</ref> | |||
After LaVey's death, conflict over the nature of Satanism intensified within the Satanic community.{{sfn|Petersen|2013|p=139}} The Church of Satan became increasingly doctrinally-rigid and focused on maintaining the purity of LaVeyan Satanism.{{sfn|Lewis|2002|p=5}} The Church's increased emphasis on their role as the bearer of his legacy was partly a response to the growth in non-LaVeyan Satanists.{{sfn|Lewis|2002|p=5}} Some Church members – including Gilmore{{sfn|Petersen|2013|p=140}} – claimed that only they were the "real" Satanists and that those belonging to different Satanic traditions were "pseudo" Satanists.{{sfn|Lewis|2002|p=5}} After examining many of these claims on the Church's website, Lewis concluded that it was "''obsessed'' with shoring up its own legitimacy by attacking the heretics, especially those who criticize LaVey".{{sfn|Lewis|2002|p=7}} Meanwhile, the Church experienced an exodus of its membership in the 2000s, with many of these individuals establishing new groups online.{{sfn|Petersen|2013|p=139}} | |||
===6/6/06 High Mass=== | |||
In October 2004 the ] officially recognised its first registered Satanist, 24-year-old Chris Cranmer, as a technician on {{HMS|Cumberland|F85|6}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3948329.stm |title=UK | Navy approves first ever Satanist |publisher=BBC News |date=2004-10-24 |accessdate=2009-06-07}}</ref> | |||
On June 6, 2006 the Church of Satan held the first public ritual Satanic Mass in 40 years at the ] in the ] in |
On June 6, 2006, the Church of Satan held the first public ritual Satanic Mass in 40 years at the ] in the ] in Los Angeles. The date corresponds to the ], 666, from the biblical Book of Revelation. The ritual, based on the rites outlined in ''The Satanic Bible'' and ''The Satanic Rituals'', was conducted by Reverend Bryan Moore and Priestess Heather Saenz.<ref name="Lacitybeat.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.lacitybeat.com/article.php?id=3916&IssueNum=158 |title=Los Angeles CityBeat — The Devil's Advocates |publisher=Lacitybeat.com |date= |access-date=2009-06-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223231729/http://www.lacitybeat.com/article.php?id=3916&IssueNum=158 |archive-date=2008-12-23 }}</ref> | ||
The event was by invitation only, and over one hundred members of the Church of Satan from around the world filled the theatre to capacity. Many members of the Church of Satan were interviewed by the ] with permission.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/5051540.stm | work=BBC News | title=The Nick of time | date=2006-06-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/church-of-satan-high-priest-6-6-06-is-just-a-day-like-any-other/|title=Church Of Satan High Priest: 6/6/06 Is 'Just A Day, Like Any Other'|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|date=24 April 2006 }}</ref> The music for the mass was created and performed by ] and was subsequently released on his album ''Rising''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lustmord.com/albums/ |title=Albums |publisher=Lustmord |date= |access-date=2015-11-19}}</ref> | |||
In December 2007 the ] reported on a story concerning the Church of Satan, in which a teenager had sent an email to High Priest Gilmore stating he wanted to "kill in the name of our unholy lord ]". Gilmore then reported the message to the ], who informed local police, who arrested the teenager.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,316967,00.html |title=Teen Held After E-Mailing Satanic Group Threat to Kill Grandparents|publisher=FoxNews.com |date=2007-12-15 |accessdate=2009-06-07}}</ref> | |||
===Example of law abidingness=== | |||
In December 2007 the ] reported on a story concerning the Church of Satan, in which a teenager had sent an email to High Priest Gilmore stating he wanted to "kill in the name of our unholy lord Satan". Gilmore then reported the message to the ], who informed local police, who arrested the teenager.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/teen-held-after-e-mailing-satanic-group-threat-to-kill-grandparents |title=Teen Held After E-Mailing Satanic Group Threat to Kill Grandparents|publisher=FoxNews.com |date=2007-12-15 |access-date=2009-06-07|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217165333/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,316967,00.html|archive-date=2007-12-17}}</ref> | |||
=== ''Realm of Satan'' documentary === | |||
In January 2024, the film ''Realm of Satan'' was shown at the ]. The film is similar to a ], though it consists primarily of scenes staged with members of the Church of Satan. One reviewer described it as "an 80-minute art installation in which Satanists are rendered—and deliberately render themselves—performative characters in a diabolical play of their own making."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schager |first=Nick |date=Jan 22, 2024 |title='Realm of Satan': Meet the Church's Magicians, Porn Stars, and Broomstick Makers |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/realm-of-satan-meet-the-churchs-magicians-porn-stars-and-members |work=Daily Beast}}</ref> The film is directed by Scott Cummings and it shows a variety of satanic ]s, which may have been performed for the film alone.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eddy |first=Cheryl |date=January 25, 2024 |title=Realm of Satan Brings Dark Glamour to a Misunderstood Culture |url=https://gizmodo.com/realm-of-satan-sundance-review-satanic-church-documenta-1851193817 |work=Gizmodo}}</ref> | |||
==Membership== | ==Membership== | ||
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] --> | |||
The Church of Satan claims they do not solicit memberships nor proselytize. Individuals seeking membership must be legally defined as adults in their nation of residence. As of at least January 2023, no one "under the legal age of consent" may join the Church of Satan, with the exception those whose "parents or legal guardians are already members in good standing".<ref name="CoS Youth Communiqué">{{cite web |title=Church of Satan Youth Communiqué |url=https://www.churchofsatan.com/satanic-youth-communique/ |website=Church of Satan |access-date=7 January 2024 |quote=So, we simply cannot allow anyone under the legal age of consent to join the Church of Satan. The only exception to this rule would be if your parents or legal guardians are already members in good standing.}}</ref> | |||
Membership to the Church is gained by paying $225 and filling out a registration statement,{{sfn|Petersen|2005|p=430}} and thus initiates are bestowed with lifetime memberships and not charged annual fees.{{sfn|Gardell|2003|p=287}} The church emphasizes that one does not have to join the organization to consider oneself a Satanist, and that one only needs to recognize himself in The Satanic Bible and live according to the tenets outlined therein. The Church states they do not solicit memberships nor proselytize. | |||
Active Members begin at the First Degree. One must apply and be approved for an Active Membership, and this is subject to one's answers to a lengthy series of questions. One cannot apply for higher Degrees, and the requirements for each degree are not open to the public. Promotion to a higher degree is by invitation only. Members of the Third through Fifth degrees constitute the Priesthood and may be addressed as "Reverend" (although the titles of "Magister/Magistra" and "Magus/Maga" are more often used when referring to members of the Fourth and Fifth Degrees, respectively). Members of the Fifth degree may also be known as "Doctor", although "The Doctor" usually refers to LaVey. Memberships may be terminated at the discretion of the ruling body of the Church of Satan consisting of the High Priest, the High Priestess and the Council of Nine.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}} | |||
As the Church does not publicly release membership information, it is not publicly known how many members belong to the Church.{{sfn|Controversial New Religions|Lewis|2014||p=407}} The 1973 US Army Chaplain's Handbook written by Cecil D Lewis stated that once memberships reached ten thousand the figures were no longer made public.<ref name="The Church Of Satan – Lewis">{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/churchofsatan00lewi|title=The Church Of Satan|author=Cecil D Lewis}}</ref> The 2000 edition of the Chaplain's handbook edited by J. Gordon Melton, removed this observation and simply stated the Church does not publish membership information.<ref></ref> According to the Church of Satan web page, memberships are for a lifetime and membership has "always grown as the years pass".<ref name="CoSFAQ">{{cite web|url=http://www.churchofsatan.com/faq-about-the-organization.php|title=The Church Of Satan FAQ}}</ref> Despite no official published membership number, the issue of membership size continues to be debated. According to Maxwell Davies, estimates have placed membership from 300 to 20,000.<ref name="crsi">{{cite book |title= Contemporary Religious Satanism: A Critical Anthology |year= 2009 |publisher= Ashgate Publishing |isbn= 978-0-7546-5286-1 |author= Maxwell Davies |chapter= Self-Conscious Routinization and the Post-Charismatic Fate of the Church Satan from 1997 to the Present|quote=}}</ref> Sociologist ] placed membership at 1,000 in 1997, and in his 2016 book ''Satanism: A Social History'' stated that Church membership probably "never exceeded one or two thousand".<ref name="crsi"/><ref name="Introvigne2016">{{cite book|author=Massimo Introvigne|title=Satanism: A Social History|url=|year=2016|publisher=Brill|isbn=9004244964|page=320|quote=Probably the members of the Church of Satan, even in the period of its greatest expansion, never exceeded one or two thousand.}}</ref> In a 1988 TV appearance, then Church of Satan spokesperson ] answered ]'s question about membership numbers by stating "hundreds of thousands? I can't say, thousands easily." <ref name="GeraldoZeena">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE0p_IZ6jNw|title=Geraldo special. Devil Worship: Exposing Satan's Underground, 1988}}</ref> According to scholar of religion and ordained minister in the United Methodist Church ], Church of Satan "always counted its active membership in the hundreds"<ref name="Melton2014">{{cite book|author=J. Gordon Melton|title=Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OtihAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA320|date=22 May 2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-53998-6|pages=113}}</ref>."Active membership" is an application dependent subset of the total membership.<ref name="active">{{cite web|url=http://www.churchofsatan.com/active-membership.php|title=Active Membership}}</ref> According to an interview with the Church of Satan, "interest in the Church of Satan and Satanism is growing all the time if our mailboxes, answering and fax machines, and e-mail is any indication."<ref name="The Church Of Satan – Interview">{{cite web|url=http://wormgearzine.com/2009/01/04/the-church-of-satan-interview/|title=The Church Of Satan – Interview - Worm Gear|work=Worm Gear}}</ref> While not indicative of active membership, the organization's social media accounts have hundreds of thousands of followers.<ref name="Twitter">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/churchofsatan/|title=The Church Of Satan on Twitter}}</ref><ref name="Facebook">{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ChurchOfSatanOfficial|title=The Church Of Satan on Facebook}}</ref><ref name="Tumblr">{{cite web|url=http://news.churchofsatan.com/|title=The Church Of Satan on Tumblr}}</ref> | |||
The church emphasizes that one does not have to join the organization to consider themselves a Satanist, and that one only needs to recognize themselves in The Satanic Bible and live according to the tenets outlined therein.<ref name="CoS-membership">{{cite web |title=Join the Church of Satan |url=https://www.churchofsatan.com/join-the-cos/ |website=Church of Satan |access-date=7 January 2024 |quote=ABOUT THE MEMBERSHIP FEE. We must emphasize that you don’t have to join our organization to consider yourself a Satanist, you only need to recognize yourself in The Satanic Bible and live according to the tenets outlined therein. We don’t proselytize, or otherwise campaign for people to join—that is your prerogative.}}</ref> | |||
Memberships may be terminated on written request of the member, at the discretion of the ruling body of the Church of Satan consisting of the High Priest, the High Priestess, and the Council of Nine. | |||
As the Church of Satan does not publicly release membership information, it is not known how many members belong to the Church. However, according to an interview with the Church of Satan, "interest in the Church of Satan and Satanism is growing all the time if our mailboxes, answering and fax machines, and e-mail is any indication."<ref name="The Church Of Satan – Interview">{{cite web|url=http://wormgearzine.com/2009/01/04/the-church-of-satan-interview/|title=The Church Of Satan – Interview - Worm Gear|work=Worm Gear|date=5 January 2009 }}</ref> Another source (''The Washington Post'') states the church claimed to have "hundreds of thousands" of members.<ref name="Boulware-WaPo-1998"/> | |||
Church membership operates on a system of degrees, with ''active membership'' being the first degree. One must apply and be approved for an active membership, and this is subject to one's answers to a lengthy series of questions. Promotion to a higher degree is by invitation only, and the requirements for each degree are not open to the public. Members of the third through fifth degrees constitute the Priesthood.{{sfn|Controversial New Religions|Lewis|2014||p=407}} LaVey implemented a system of five initiatory levels that the Satanist could advance through by demonstrating knowledge of Satanic philosophy and personal accomplishments in life.{{sfn|Gardell|2003|p=287}} These were known as Apprentice (Satanist I°), Brother/Sister of the Cauldron (Witch or Warlock II°), Priest/ Priestess of Mendes (Wizard or Enchantress III°), Magister Cavemi/Magister Templi/Magister Magnus (Magister IV°), and Magister Satanas (Magus V°).{{sfn|Drury|2003|p=197}} | |||
However, according to Joseph Laycock, the Church grew rapidly in its first five years before declining, and had an estimated 250 members (according to one source). According to ''The Washington Post'', up until at least 1998, Church membership was never totaled "more than 300".<ref name="Boulware-WaPo-1998">{{cite news |last1=Boulware |first1=Jack |title=A DEVIL OF A TIME |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1998/08/30/a-devil-of-a-time/da3eea5a-1b17-46db-a8f1-3cd5821247e2/ |access-date=7 January 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=30 August 1998}}</ref> | |||
===Hierarchy=== | ===Hierarchy=== | ||
The church follows a formulated system of degrees based on ]. These degrees are not open to application or to request and are only awarded to those who demonstrate excellence in the understanding and communication of Satanic Theory coupled with personal achievements in the outside world.<ref name="hierarchy">{{cite web|url=http://www.churchofsatan.com/hierarchy.php|title=Hierarchy - churchofsatan.com|first=Peter H.|last=Gilmore|work=churchofsatan.com}}</ref> | |||
These degrees are: | |||
* Registered Member (no degree) | * Registered Member (no degree) | ||
* Active Member (first degree) | * Active Member/Satanist (first degree) | ||
* Witch/Warlock (second degree) | * Witch/Warlock (second degree) | ||
* Priestess/Priest (third degree) | * Priestess/Priest (third degree) | ||
* Magistra/Magister (fourth degree) | * Magistra/Magister (fourth degree) | ||
* Maga/Magus (fifth degree) |
* Maga/Magus (fifth degree) | ||
Agents of the Church of Satan are individuals who have been trained to serve as contacts for local media and other interested parties.<ref name="hierarchy" /> | |||
===Priesthood of Mendes & Council of Nine=== | |||
Members of the Priesthood make up the ], which is the ruling body of the Church of Satan, of which Magistra Templi Rex ] is the chairmistress.{{sfn|Controversial New Religions|Lewis|2014||p=407}} Individuals who are part of the priesthood are those who act as spokespersons of the Church of Satan. The priesthood is exclusive to third, fourth, and fifth degree members. Members of the priesthood may be referred to as "reverend". The ] and Priestess act as administrative chiefs and primary public representatives; each position (High Priest and High Priestess) is held by a single individual at a time. The current High Priest is ], the current High Priestess is ]. | |||
===Priesthood of Mendes and Council of Nine=== | |||
===The Grotto System=== | |||
Members of the Priesthood make up the Council of Nine, which is the ruling body of the Church of Satan, of which Magistra Templi Rex ] is the chair-mistress. Individuals who are part of the priesthood are those who act as spokespersons of the Church of Satan. The priesthood is exclusive to third-, fourth-, and fifth-degree members. Members of the priesthood may be referred to as "reverend".<ref name="hierarchy" /> The ] and Priestess act as administrative chiefs and primary public representatives; each position (High Priest and High Priestess) is held by a single individual at a time. The current High Priest is ],<ref name="PeterG">{{cite web|url=http://www.churchofsatan.com/history-peter-h-gilmore.php|title=Peter H. Gilmore|website=Church of Satan|access-date=16 April 2014}}</ref> the current High Priestess is ].<ref name="PeggyN">{{cite web|url=http://www.churchofsatan.com/history-peggy-nadramia.php|title=Peggy Nadramia|website=Church of Satan|access-date=16 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
The Church of Satan evaluates active members for the Priesthood by their accomplishment in society—mastered skills and peer recognition within a profession—rather than by mastery of irrelevant occult trivia. While expected to be experts in communicating the Satanic philosophy, members of the Priesthood are not required to speak on behalf of the Church of Satan and may even choose to keep their affiliation and rank secret in order to better serve their personal goals, as well as those of the organization. Membership in the Priesthood is by invitation only. | |||
Within the Church, a '''Grotto''' (from Italian '']'', a type of cave) is a ] association or gathering of Satanists within geographical proximity for means of social, ritual, and special interest activities.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701104244/http://www.churchofsatan.com/home.html |date=2012-07-01 }}, under Affiliation: The Grotto System Retrieved December 3, 2010</ref> The ], the founding place and headquarters of the Church of Satan from 1966 to 1997, was effectively the first grotto, and was for a time referred to as the "Central Grotto".{{sfn|Religious Requirements and Practices: A Handbook for Chaplains|U. S. Department of the Army|1978}}{{sfn|World Religions|Warren Matthews|2007|page=380}} Grottos existed for a time in various parts of the United States; these included the Babylon Grotto in ], the Stygian Grotto in ], and the Lilith Grotto in ].{{sfn|Baddeley|2010|p=74}} In 1975, LaVey disbanded all ''grottos'',{{sfnm|1a1=Lewis|1y=2002|1p=7|2a1=Lap|2y=2013|2p=84}} then reinstated them in the 1980s.{{sfnm|Walter Martin, Jill Martin Rische, Van Gorden Kurt|The Kingdom of the Occult|2013|p=421}} The Church of Satan no longer formally recognizes or charters grottos.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.churchofsatan.com/the-grotto-system.php|title=The Grotto System|author1=High Priest |author2=Magus Peter H. Gilmore |work=churchofsatan.com}}</ref> | |||
===The Grotto System=== | |||
==Formal gatherings== | |||
===6/6/06 High Mass=== | |||
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] --> | |||
On June 6, 2006 the Church of Satan conducted a Satanic High Mass at the ] West's ] in ]. The event was by invitation only, and over one hundred members of the Church of Satan from around the world filled the theatre to capacity. The event was documented, and many members of the Church of Satan were interviewed, by the ] with permission.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/5051540.stm | work=BBC News | title=The Nick of time | date=2006-06-06}}</ref> The main ritual, based on the rites outlined in '']'' and '']'', was conducted by Reverend Bryan Moore and Priestess Heather Saenz.<ref name="Lacitybeat.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/church-of-satan-high-priest-6-6-06-is-just-a-day-like-any-other/|title=Church Of Satan High Priest: 6/6/06 Is 'Just A Day, Like Any Other'|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref> The music for the mass was created and performed by ] and was subsequently released on his album ''Rising''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lustmord.com/albums/ |title=Albums |publisher=Lustmord |date= |accessdate=2015-11-19}}</ref> | |||
Within Satanism, a ] is a ] association or gathering of Satanists within geographical proximity for means of social, ritual, and special interest activities.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701104244/http://www.churchofsatan.com/home.html |date=2012-07-01 }}, under Affiliation: The Grotto System Retrieved December 3, 2010</ref> The Church of Satan no longer formally recognizes or charters grottos.<ref name=grotto/> The primary reason for the end of the Grotto system is that only a small minority of members ever participated. This was further compounded by the fact that a publicly listed Grotto defeated the ability to remain secret and unknown to the larger populace. The Grotto system was in practice replaced by social media, private online forums, and other methods for members to interact with one another outside of the need for a so-called Grotto Master and annual reports to the central office of the Church of Satan.<ref name=grotto>{{cite web|title = The Grotto System {{!}} churchofsatan.com|url = http://www.churchofsatan.com/the-grotto-system.php|website= www.churchofsatan.com|access-date= 2015-08-23|first = Peter H.|last = Gilmore}}</ref> | |||
==Legacy== | |||
LaVey is thought to be directly responsible for the genesis of Satanism as a serious religious movement.{{sfn|Dyrendal|Lewis|Petersen|2010|p=116}} Scholars agree that there is no reliably documented case of Satanic continuity prior to the founding of the Church of Satan.{{sfn|Contemporary Esotericism|Asprem|Granholm|2014|p=75}} It was the first organized church in modern times to be devoted to the figure of Satan,{{sfn|Lewis|2002|p=5}} and according to Faxneld and Petersen, the Church represented "the first public, highly visible, and long-lasting organization which propounded a coherent satanic discourse".{{sfn|Faxneld|Petersen|2013|p=81}} | |||
==See also== | |||
* '']'' | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
===Notes=== | |||
{{reflist|group=Note}} | |||
===Citations=== | |||
{{reflist|33em}} | {{reflist|33em}} | ||
== |
===Works cited=== | ||
* {{cite book|title=]|first=Blanche|last=Barton|publisher=Hell's Kitchen Productions|date=1990|isbn=0-9623286-2-6}} | |||
* {{cite book|title=]|authorlink=Gavin Baddeley|first1=Gavin|last1=Baddeley|first2=Paul|last2=Woods|publisher=]|location=UK|date=2000|isbn=0-85965-280-7}} | |||
* {{cite book|url=http://www.xeper.org/maquino/nm/COS.pdf|title=The Church of Satan|edition=5th|year=2002|first=Michael A.|last=Aquino|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070712000522/http://www.xeper.org/maquino/nm/COS.pdf|archivedate=2007-07-12|df=}}: A documentary history of the 1966–75 Church of Satan | |||
* {{cite book|title=Modern Satanism: Anatomy of a Radical Subculture|first=Chris|last=Mathews|publisher=]|year=2009|isbn=0-313-36639-X}} | |||
*{{Cite book|last1=Asprem |first1=Egil |last2=Granholm |first2=Kennet |title=Contemporary Esotericism |publisher=Routledge|location=London|year=2014|isbn=978-1-317-54357-2}} | |||
===Books by Anton LaVey=== | |||
*{{cite journal|last1=Cavaglion|first1=Gabriel|last2=Sela-Shayovitz|first2=Revital|title=The Cultural Construction of Contemporary Satanic Legends in Israel|journal=Folklore|date=December 2005|volume=116 |issue=3|pages=255–271 |doi=10.1080/00155870500282701|s2cid=161360139}} | |||
#{{Cite book |author1=Wolfe, Burton H. |author2=LaVey, Anton Szandor |title=] |publisher=Avon |location=New York, N.Y |year=1969 |pages= |isbn=0-380-01539-0 |oclc= |doi=}} | |||
*{{cite book |editor1-last=Faxneld |editor1-first=Per|editor2-last=Petersen |editor2-first=Jesper Aagaard |title=The Devil's Party: Satanism in Modernity |publisher=] |location=Oxford |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-19-977924-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QQJlf729qUMC}} | |||
*{{Cite book |first1=Peter H. |last1=Gilmore |author1-link=Peter H. Gilmore |last2=Barton |first2=Blanche |first3=Timothy Patrick |last3=Butler |title=] |publisher=Scapegoat Publishing |location= |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-9764035-9-3}} | |||
* {{cite encyclopedia |last=Lap |first=Amina Olander |contribution=Categorizing Modern Satanism: An Analysis of LaVey's Early Writings |title=The Devil's Party: Satanism in Modernity |editor=Per Faxneld |editor2=Jesper Aagaard Petersen|publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-19-977924-6 |pages=83–102 }} | |||
#{{Cite book |author1=LaVey, Anton Szandor |author2=Anton Szandor LA Vey |title=] |publisher=Feral House |location=Venice, Calif |year=1992 |pages= |isbn=0-922915-11-3 |oclc= |doi=}} | |||
* {{cite book|first1=Joseph P. |last1=Laycock |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/elements/satanism/4150D0B522022169485FCD56FA7FE2BE |title=Satanism|year=2023 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |series=Elements in New Religious Movements |isbn=9781009057349 |edition=online |ref=JPLS2023}} | |||
#{{Cite book |author1=Anton Szandor La Vey |author2=LaVey, Anton Szandor |title=] |publisher=Feral House |location=Venice, Calif |year=1997 |pages= |isbn=0-922915-66-0 |oclc= |doi=}} | |||
*{{cite journal|last=Lewis|first=James R. |title=Diabolical Authority: Anton LaVey, The Satanic Bible and the Satanist "Tradition"|journal=Marburg Journal of Religion|date=September 2002|volume=7 |issue=1|pages=1–16 |url=http://archiv.ub.uni-marburg.de/mjr/lewis3.html}} | |||
*{{cite book |last=Petersen |first=Jesper Aa. |title=Controversial New Religions |title-link=Controversial New Religions |publisher=] |year=2014 |isbn=978-0-19-515682-9 |editor-last=Lewis |editor-first=James R. |editor-link=James R. Lewis (scholar) |edition=2nd |location=New York |language=en |chapter=Carnal, Chthonian, Complicated: The Matter of Modern Satanism |editor-last2=Petersen |editor-first2=Jesper Aa.}} | |||
*{{cite book|last=Wright|first=Lawrence|title=Saints & Sinners|year=1993|publisher=Alfred A. Knopf |location=New York|isbn=0-394-57924-0|author-link=Lawrence Wright |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1bwDrFdnNcsC}} | |||
==Further reading== | |||
===Books by Peter H. Gilmore=== | |||
*{{cite book |url=http://www.xeper.org/maquino/nm/COS.pdf |title=The Church of Satan |edition=5th |year=2002 |first=Michael A. |last=Aquino}} | |||
*{{Cite book |author=Butler, Timothy; ]; Barton, Blanche; Peggy Nadramia |title=] |publisher=Scapegoat Publishing |location= |year=2007 |pages= |isbn=0-9764035-9-5 |oclc= |doi=}} | |||
*{{cite book |title=] |author-link=Gavin Baddeley |first1=Gavin |last1=Baddeley |first2=Paul |last2=Woods |publisher=] |location=UK |date=2000 |isbn=0-85965-280-7}} | |||
*{{cite book |title=] |first=Blanche |last=Barton |publisher=Hell's Kitchen Productions |date=1990 |isbn=0-9623286-2-6}} | |||
*Barton, Blanche. 2021. We Are Satanists: The History and Future of the Church of Satan. La Quinta, CA: Aperient Press. | |||
*Dyrendal, Asbjørn, James R. Lewis, and L. Petersen. 2015. ''The Invention of Satanism''. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. | |||
*Foertsch, Steven. "An Organizational Analysis of the Schismatic Church of Satan." Review of Religious Research 64: 55–76. https://philpapers.org/archive/FOEAOA.pdf | |||
*Foertsch, Steven. "A Field Study Update on Organizational Satanism and Setianism in the United States." ''Review of Religious Research'' 64, no. 4 (2022): 981-996. https://philpapers.org/go.pl?aid=FOEAFS | |||
*Introvigne, Massimo. 2016. ''Satanism: A Social History''. Leiden, NL: Koninklijke Brill. | |||
*{{Cite book |last1=LaVey |first1=Anton Szandor |author1-link=Anton LaVey |last2=Wolfe |first2=Burton H. |title=] |publisher=Avon |location=New York |year=1969 |isbn=0-380-01539-0}} | |||
*{{Cite book |last=LaVey |first=Anton Szandor |title=] |publisher=Feral House |location=Venice, Calif |year=1971 |isbn=0-922915-84-9}} | |||
*{{Cite book |first=Anton Szandor |last=LaVey |title=] |publisher=Avon |location=New York |year=1972 |isbn=0-380-01392-4}} | |||
*{{Cite book |last=LaVey |first=Anton Szandor |title=] |publisher=Feral House |location=Venice, Calif |year=1992 |isbn=0-922915-11-3}} | |||
*{{Cite book |first=Anton Szandor |last=LaVey |title=] |publisher=Feral House |location=Venice, Calif |year=1997 |isbn=0-922915-66-0}} | |||
*Lewis, James R. "Diabolical Authority: Anton LaVey, The Satanic Bible and the Satanist Tradition." ''Marburg Journal of Religion'' 7, no. 1 (2002): 1-16. | |||
*{{cite book |title=Modern Satanism: Anatomy of a Radical Subculture |first=Chris |last=Mathews |publisher=] |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-313-36639-0}} | |||
* {{cite book |last1=Nathan |first1=D. |author-link1=Debbie Nathan |last2=Snedeker |first2=M. |title=Satan's Silence: Ritual Abuse and the Making of a Modern American Witch Hunt |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JVVsAAAAIAAJ |year=1995 |publisher=] |isbn=978-0-87975-809-7 }} | |||
*Petersen, J. 2009. "Satanists and Nuts: The Role of Schisms in Modern Satanism." In Sacred Schisms: How Religions Divide, ed. J. Lewis and S. Lewis, 218–247. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{ |
{{Commons category}} | ||
*{{Official website| |
* {{Official website|https://www.churchofsatan.com/}} | ||
* by Michelle Carr and Elvia Lahman for Velvet Hammer souvenir programme, September 1997. | |||
* by ] program ''The Hour''. | |||
* by Annette Lamothe-Ramos at ], April 2012 | |||
{{LaVeyan Satanism}} | {{LaVeyan Satanism}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 21:18, 14 December 2024
Organization dedicated to atheist Satanism For the book, see The Church of Satan (book). Not to be confused with The Satanic Temple.This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. Please help improve it by replacing them with more appropriate citations to reliable, independent, third-party sources. (March 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Church of Satan | |
---|---|
Sigil of Baphomet, an official symbol of LaVeyan Satanism | |
Abbreviation | CoS |
Type | Satanism |
Classification | New religious movement |
Orientation | LaVeyan Satanism |
Scripture | The Satanic Bible |
Theology | Egotheism |
Governance | Council of Nine |
Structure | Cabal |
High Priest | Peter H. Gilmore |
Associations | Non-ecumenical |
Region | International |
Headquarters | Poughkeepsie, New York |
Founder | Anton Szandor LaVey |
Origin | April 30, 1966 The Black House, San Francisco, California |
Separations | Temple of Set (1975), First Satanic Church (1999) |
Members | Not disclosed |
Other name(s) | The Satanic Church |
Publications | The Black Flame, The Cloven Hoof |
Official website | www |
Part of a series on |
LaVeyan Satanism |
---|
The Sigil of Baphomet is the official symbol of LaVeyan Satanism and the Church of Satan. |
Organizations |
Notable people |
Texts |
Media |
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The Church of Satan (CoS) is a religious organization dedicated to the religion of Satanism as defined by Anton Szandor LaVey. Founded in San Francisco in 1966, by LaVey, it is considered the "oldest satanic religion in continual existence", and more importantly the most influential, inspiring "numerous imitator and breakaway groups". According to the Church, Satanism has been "codified" as "a religion and philosophy" by LaVey and his church. Founded in an era when there was much public interest in the occult, witchcraft and Satanism, the church enjoyed a heyday for several years after its founding. Celebrities attended LaVey's satanic parties and he was invited on talk shows. His Satanic Bible sold nearly a million copies.
LaVey was the church's High Priest until his death in 1997. In 2001, Peter H. Gilmore was appointed to the position of high priest, and the church's headquarters were moved to Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, New York City. Members do not believe that Satan literally exists and do not worship him. Instead, Satan is viewed as a positive archetype embracing the Hebrew root of the word "Satan" as "adversary", who represents pride, carnality, and enlightenment, humanity's natural instincts which Abrahamic faiths have wrongly suppressed. According to High Priest Peter H. Gilmore, Satan is "a name for the reservoir of power inside each human to be tapped at will" . In LaVey's book, The Satanic Bible, the Satanist's concept of a God is described as the Satanist's true "self"— a projection of his or her own personality, not an external deity. Satan is used as a representation of personal liberty and individualism.
The Church dismisses the idea of a “Satanic Community” and does not share membership lists with its members, arguing members are "radical individualists" who "may share very little in common beyond" being Satanists. The Church rejects the legitimacy of any other organizations who claim to be Satanists. Scholars agree that there is no reliably documented case of Satanic continuity prior to the founding of the Church of Satan. It was the first organized church in modern times to be devoted to the figure of Satan, and according to Faxneld and Petersen, the Church represented "the first public, highly visible, and long-lasting organization which propounded a coherent satanic discourse".
Beliefs
LaVey described his religion as "just Ayn Rand's philosophy with ceremony and ritual added"; similarly, sociologist of religion James R. Lewis described it as "a blend of Epicureanism and Ayn Rand's philosophy, flavored with a pinch of ritual magic." There is no belief in or worship of the Devil or a Christian notion of Satan. High priest Peter Gilmore describes its members as "skeptical atheists", indicating the Hebrew root of the word "Satan" as "adversary" or "opposer." Gilmore rejects the legitimacy of theistic Satanists, who believe Satan to be a supernatural being or force that may be contacted or supplicated to, dubbing them "devil worshipers". In an interview with David Shankbone, High Priest Peter Gilmore stated "My real feeling is that anybody who believes in supernatural entities on some level is insane. Whether they believe in the Devil or God, they are abdicating reason." He added, "Satanism begins with atheism. We begin with the universe and say, 'It’s indifferent. There’s no God, there’s no Devil. No one cares!'" According to Gilmore,
We do not believe in the supernatural. To the Satanist, he is his own God. Satan is a symbol of Man living as his prideful, carnal nature dictates. Some Satanists extend this symbol to encompass the evolutionary "force" of entropy that permeates all of nature and provides the drive for survival and propagation inherent in all living things. To the Satanist, Satan is not a conscious entity to be worshiped, rather it is a name for the reservoir of power inside each human to be tapped at will .
The church has stated its contention that they are the first formally organized religion to adopt the term "Satanism" and describes the term "Theistic Satanism" as "oxymoronic".
LaVey's views on magic were ambiguous. He insisted Satanism was a "materialist philosophy" but also often talked of magic. He included this rule in his "Rules of the Earth":
Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained.”
LaVey also often talked of a "Satanic magical formula" of "nine parts respectability to one part outrageousness", satanism requiring some element of sinisterness, but not so much as to put off potential congregants. The "Rules of the Earth" in LaVey's Satanic Bible specifically prohibited unwanted sexual advances and harming animals or children, but the Church also "often featured a nude woman serving as an altar" in its black masses.
Though not emphasizing social or political causes, like Ayn Rand, LaVey explicitly opposed egalitarianism and supported social stratification, calling for the end of the “myth of ‘equality’”, which only “supports the weak at the expense of the strong”. But he also suggested that in loving themselves, hedonists developed the ability to love others. He was quoted as saying, “If Satanists didn’t care, they wouldn’t be so dark and pessimistic.”
History
Early years
In the 1960s Anton Szandor LaVey formed a group called the Order of the Trapezoid, which later became the governing body of the Church of Satan. The group included: "The Baroness" Carin de Plessen, Dr. Cecil Nixon, Kenneth Anger, San Francisco city assessor Russell Wolden, and Donald Werby. According to the Church of Satan historiography, other LaVey associates from this time include noted science fiction and horror writers Anthony Boucher, August Derleth, Robert Barbour Johnson, Reginald Bretnor, Emil Petaja, Stuart Palmer, Clark Ashton Smith, Forrest J. Ackerman, and Fritz Leiber Jr.
The Church of Satan was established at the Black House in San Francisco, California, on Walpurgisnacht, April 30, 1966, by LaVey, who was the church's High Priest until his death in 1997.
In the first year of its foundation, LaVey and the Church of Satan publicly performed a Satanic marriage of Judith Case and journalist John Raymond. The ceremony was attended by Joe Rosenthal. LaVey performed the first publicly recorded Satanic baptism in history for his youngest daughter Zeena, which garnered worldwide publicity and was originally recorded on The Satanic Mass LP. A Satanic funeral for naval machinist-repairman, third-class Edward Olsen, was performed at the request of his wife, complete with an honor guard.
The Church of Satan was the subject of a number of books, magazine and newspaper articles during the 1960s and 1970s. It is also the subject of a documentary, Satanis (1970). LaVey appeared in Kenneth Anger's film Invocation of My Demon Brother, acted as technical adviser on The Devil's Rain, which starred Ernest Borgnine, William Shatner, and introduced John Travolta. The Church of Satan was also featured in a segment of Luigi Scattini's film Angeli Bianchi, Angeli Neri, released in the United States as Witchcraft '70.
One attempt to establish the church abroad was done in connection with Maarten Lamers of the Netherlands who read The Satanic Bible and in 1971 flew to San Francisco to meet LaVey. Back in Amsterdam, Lamers established the first CoS grotto outside the U.S. -- the Magistralis Grotto or the Kerk van Satan. The "Kerk" was in the Red Light District and connected to club called Walpurga Abbey where customers could paid by the minute to observe “monastic sisters” of the Abbey masturbate on stage. Lamers insisted that since the sisters were "performing religious acts of sexual magic", Walpurga Abbey was tax-exempt. The Dutch government disagreed and in 1987, "after a decade of police raids and legal battles", Lamers was compelled to pay 10 million guilders in back taxes.
In 1972, LaVey stopped holding weekly rituals at the Black House and announced these would be done at the local grottos. Then on September 27, 1974, he declared the end of all regional organizations and that individual members and grottos should report to the Church's Central Grotto in San Francisco. LaVey called this move “Phase IV of his master plan”
Schisms
Starting in the early 1970s, the Church faced internal dissent and a series of schisms. The first breakaway was by the Babylonian Grotto and its leader Wayne West, who LaVey excommunicated. A bigger schism happened with the excommunication of the Stygian Grotto, whose leader established the Church of Satanic Brotherhood in 1973 with units in Dayton, Indianapolis, Louisville, New York City, and St. Petersburg (FL). From the Church's Belphegor Grotto, another splinter group created the Order of the Black Goat, which was allegedly neo-Nazi in orientation, led by Michael Grumbowski. A later, more resilient offshoot was the World Church of Satanic Liberation, which ran from 1986 to 2011.
In 1975, the Church of Satan underwent a significant fracture. Michael Angelo Aquino, the editor of the church newsletter and a fairly high level leader in the church, who disagreed with LaVey's changes, left to found the Temple of Set, taking a significant portion of the CoS leadership with him. This schism involved the largest Church branch, the Nineveh Grotto in NJ, and the Lilith Grotto in NY, among others. The Temple of Set reportedly had more than 500 members at its founding, although Anton LaVey claimed that only 29 people left.
LaVey announced that the Temple of Set schism was not a setback but "Phase V" of his master plan, however, according to author Amina Lap, from this point on Satanism became a "splintered and disorganized movement".
Schisms from the Church were caused by several factors, according to sociologist Foertsch. He focused on differences in costliness or barriers to entry for members, disputes over authority and doctrine, and opportunities for niche development in the American counter-culture world of occultism, and persecution of alleged Satanists during the moral panic (described below) of the 1980s.
The same year LaVey painted the Black House beige to lessen unwanted attention and "largely retired from public life". (In 1986, the Black House was repainted black.) According to at least one critic, James R. Lewis, LaVey was not instituting "a Master Plan" but demonstrating that he “was not up to making the necessary personal sacrifices that being a founding prophet and leader required" because his motives for founding the Church were personal enrichment and self-aggrandizement, not spreading some religious truth.
1980s, early 1990s, and "Satanic Panic"
In the 1980s a phenomenon that became known as the "Satanic Panic" arose and the media reported concerns of criminal conspiracies by the Church of Satan. According to a report released in 2020, LaVey indicated to FBI agents who interviewed him on October 31, 1980 that he had lost interest in the Church.
“LAVEY STATED THAT HE IS WELL AWARE THAT MOST PEOPLE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHURCH OF SATAN ARE IN FACT ‘FANATICS, CULTISTS, AND WEIRDOES.’ HE STATED HIS INTEREST IN THE CHURCH OF SATAN IS STRICTLY FROM A MONETARY POINT OF VIEW AND SPENDS HIS TIME FURNISHING INTERVIEWS, WRITING MATERIALS, AND LATELY HAS BECOME INTERESTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY.”
(Kenneth Lanning, an FBI expert in investigating child sexual abuse, produced a report on Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA) in 1994 aimed at child protection authorities, in which wrote that despite hundreds of investigations, no corroboration of SRA had been found. Following this report, several convictions based on SRA allegations were overturned and the defendants released.)
During the 1980s and 90s, LaVey was no longer interested in making media appearances, and began a "long period of silence", becoming "increasingly reclusive", he began sending his daughter Zeena to represent the CoS. She appeared on television and radio broadcasts, (including The Phil Donahue Show, Nightline with Ted Koppel, Entertainment Tonight, The Late Show, Secrets & Mysteries and the Sally Jesse Raphael Show), in part to educate about the Church, and in part to debunk Satanic ritual abuse and any connection between it and true Satanism, and specifically the Church of Satan. She also became a High Priestess in the Church during this time and in 1988, married Nikolas Schreck, a prominent CoS member and changed her name to Zeena Schreck.
In the 1980s and 1990s remaining members of the Church of Satan became active in media appearances to refute allegations of criminal activity. Members of the Church who were active in producing movies, music, films, and magazines devoted to Satanism include Adam Parfrey's Feral House publishing, the musician Boyd Rice, musician King Diamond, and the filmmaker Nick Bougas (a.k.a. A. Wyatt Mann).
On Walpurgisnacht 30 April 1990, Zeena formally renounced any association with the Church or LaVey, whom she now called her “unfather.” She and her husband joined the Temple of Set for a time but in 2002 formed the Sethian Liberation Movement, their own occult left-hand path group. Not long after, Zeena testified against LaVey on behalf of her mother, Diane Hegarty. The court awarded Hegarty half of LaVey’s property, bankrupting him.
After LaVey
After Anton Szandor LaVey's death on October 29, 1997, the role of High Priest was empty for some time. On November 7, 1997 Karla LaVey made a press release about continuing the church with fellow high priestess Blanche Barton. Barton eventually received ownership of the organization, which she held for 4 years. Karla LaVey ultimately left the Church of Satan and founded First Satanic Church. On October 16, 2001, the Black House, the original home of the Church, was demolished after a fundraising effort failed to raise enough to buy it. (In 1992, LaVey had sold the house to a real estate developer to raise money to settle a divorce but the developer allowed LaVey to continue to live in the house for free.)
In 2001, Blanche ceded her position to longtime members Peter H. Gilmore and Peggy Nadramia, the current High Priest and High Priestess and publishers of The Black Flame, the official magazine of The Church of Satan, who managed an active CoS group in New York. The Central Office of the Church of Satan has also moved from San Francisco to New York City's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, where the couple resides. The Church of Satan does not recognize any other organizations as holding legitimate claim to Satanism and its practice, though it does recognize that one need not be a member of the Church of Satan to be a Satanist.
In October 2004, the Royal Navy officially recognised its first registered Satanist, 24-year-old Chris Cranmer, as a technician aboard HMS Cumberland.
6/6/06 High Mass
On June 6, 2006, the Church of Satan held the first public ritual Satanic Mass in 40 years at the Steve Allen Theater in the Center for Inquiry in Los Angeles. The date corresponds to the number of the Beast, 666, from the biblical Book of Revelation. The ritual, based on the rites outlined in The Satanic Bible and The Satanic Rituals, was conducted by Reverend Bryan Moore and Priestess Heather Saenz.
The event was by invitation only, and over one hundred members of the Church of Satan from around the world filled the theatre to capacity. Many members of the Church of Satan were interviewed by the BBC with permission. The music for the mass was created and performed by Lustmord and was subsequently released on his album Rising.
Example of law abidingness
In December 2007 the Associated Press reported on a story concerning the Church of Satan, in which a teenager had sent an email to High Priest Gilmore stating he wanted to "kill in the name of our unholy lord Satan". Gilmore then reported the message to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who informed local police, who arrested the teenager.
Realm of Satan documentary
In January 2024, the film Realm of Satan was shown at the Sundance Film Festival. The film is similar to a documentary, though it consists primarily of scenes staged with members of the Church of Satan. One reviewer described it as "an 80-minute art installation in which Satanists are rendered—and deliberately render themselves—performative characters in a diabolical play of their own making." The film is directed by Scott Cummings and it shows a variety of satanic rituals, which may have been performed for the film alone.
Membership
The Church of Satan claims they do not solicit memberships nor proselytize. Individuals seeking membership must be legally defined as adults in their nation of residence. As of at least January 2023, no one "under the legal age of consent" may join the Church of Satan, with the exception those whose "parents or legal guardians are already members in good standing".
Active Members begin at the First Degree. One must apply and be approved for an Active Membership, and this is subject to one's answers to a lengthy series of questions. One cannot apply for higher Degrees, and the requirements for each degree are not open to the public. Promotion to a higher degree is by invitation only. Members of the Third through Fifth degrees constitute the Priesthood and may be addressed as "Reverend" (although the titles of "Magister/Magistra" and "Magus/Maga" are more often used when referring to members of the Fourth and Fifth Degrees, respectively). Members of the Fifth degree may also be known as "Doctor", although "The Doctor" usually refers to LaVey. Memberships may be terminated at the discretion of the ruling body of the Church of Satan consisting of the High Priest, the High Priestess and the Council of Nine.
The church emphasizes that one does not have to join the organization to consider themselves a Satanist, and that one only needs to recognize themselves in The Satanic Bible and live according to the tenets outlined therein.
As the Church of Satan does not publicly release membership information, it is not known how many members belong to the Church. However, according to an interview with the Church of Satan, "interest in the Church of Satan and Satanism is growing all the time if our mailboxes, answering and fax machines, and e-mail is any indication." Another source (The Washington Post) states the church claimed to have "hundreds of thousands" of members. However, according to Joseph Laycock, the Church grew rapidly in its first five years before declining, and had an estimated 250 members (according to one source). According to The Washington Post, up until at least 1998, Church membership was never totaled "more than 300".
Hierarchy
The church follows a formulated system of degrees based on meritocracy. These degrees are not open to application or to request and are only awarded to those who demonstrate excellence in the understanding and communication of Satanic Theory coupled with personal achievements in the outside world.
These degrees are:
- Registered Member (no degree)
- Active Member/Satanist (first degree)
- Witch/Warlock (second degree)
- Priestess/Priest (third degree)
- Magistra/Magister (fourth degree)
- Maga/Magus (fifth degree)
Agents of the Church of Satan are individuals who have been trained to serve as contacts for local media and other interested parties.
Priesthood of Mendes and Council of Nine
Members of the Priesthood make up the Council of Nine, which is the ruling body of the Church of Satan, of which Magistra Templi Rex Blanche Barton is the chair-mistress. Individuals who are part of the priesthood are those who act as spokespersons of the Church of Satan. The priesthood is exclusive to third-, fourth-, and fifth-degree members. Members of the priesthood may be referred to as "reverend". The High Priest and Priestess act as administrative chiefs and primary public representatives; each position (High Priest and High Priestess) is held by a single individual at a time. The current High Priest is Peter H. Gilmore, the current High Priestess is Peggy Nadramia.
The Church of Satan evaluates active members for the Priesthood by their accomplishment in society—mastered skills and peer recognition within a profession—rather than by mastery of irrelevant occult trivia. While expected to be experts in communicating the Satanic philosophy, members of the Priesthood are not required to speak on behalf of the Church of Satan and may even choose to keep their affiliation and rank secret in order to better serve their personal goals, as well as those of the organization. Membership in the Priesthood is by invitation only.
The Grotto System
Within Satanism, a Grotto is a clandestine association or gathering of Satanists within geographical proximity for means of social, ritual, and special interest activities. The Church of Satan no longer formally recognizes or charters grottos. The primary reason for the end of the Grotto system is that only a small minority of members ever participated. This was further compounded by the fact that a publicly listed Grotto defeated the ability to remain secret and unknown to the larger populace. The Grotto system was in practice replaced by social media, private online forums, and other methods for members to interact with one another outside of the need for a so-called Grotto Master and annual reports to the central office of the Church of Satan.
References
Notes
- Religious studies scholar R. Van Luijk writes, “Genealogically speaking, every known Satanist group or organization in the world today derives directly or indirectly from LaVey’s 1966 Church of Satan, even if they are dismissive of LaVey or choose to emphasize other real or alleged forerunners of Satanism.”
- She explained that she did this on behalf of her father while being interviewed alongside her husband by televangelist Bob Larson.
Citations
- Gilmore, Magus Peter H. "F.A.Q. Symbols and Symbolism". Church of Satan. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
- ^ Laycock, Satanism, 2023: section 4. The Church of Satan
- R. van Luijk, Children of Lucifer: The Origins of Modern Religious Satanism (New York: Oxford University Press, 2016), p. 305.
- Ethan, Joel. "The Satanic Temple Fact Sheet". Church of Satan. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- Owen Davies, Grimoires: A History of Magic Books (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009), p. 274.
- ^ "Official Church of Satan Website". Churchofsatan.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- Abrams, Joe (Spring 2006). Wyman, Kelly (ed.). "The Religious Movements Homepage Project - Satanism: An Introduction". virginia.edu. University of Virginia. Archived from the original on August 29, 2006. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- Wright 1993, p. 143.
- Cavaglion & Sela-Shayovitz 2005, p. 255.
- Gilmore, Peter H. "Myth of the 'Satanic Community' and other Virtual Delusions by Magus Peter H. Gilmore". Church of Satan. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- Ohlheiser, Abby (November 7, 2014). "The Church of Satan wants you to stop calling these 'devil worshiping' alleged murderers Satanists". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
- Wikinews:Satanism: An interview with Church of Satan High Priest Peter Gilmore
- Asprem & Granholm 2014, p. 75.
- Lewis 2002, p. 5.
- Faxneld & Petersen 2013, p. 81.
- Lewis 2002, p. 9.
- Lewis 2002, p. 2.
- ^ "Satanism: An interview with Church of Satan High Priest Peter Gilmore". Wikinews. November 5, 2007. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
- "H7854 - śāṭān - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv)". Blue Letter Bible. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- Interview with Peter H. Gilmore, David Shankbone, Wikinews, November 5, 2007.
- "F.A.Q. Fundamental Beliefs". Church of Satan. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- ^ Laycock, Satanism, 2023: section 5. The Temple of Set and Esoteric Satanism. The Temple of Set
- LaVey, “Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth.”
- ^ Laycock, Satanism, 2023: section 4. The Church of Satan. LaVey’s Satanism
- A. S. LaVey (1967). "The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth". Church of Satan. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- A. S. LaVey (1987). "The Nine Satanic Sins". Church of Satan.
- Laycock, Satanism, 2023: section 4. The Church of Satan. From the Magic Circle to the Church of Satan
- LaVey, Anton (1988). "Pentagonal Revisionism: A Five-Point Program". Church of Satan. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- B. Barton, The Secret Life of a Satanist: The Authorized Biography of Anton LaVey (Los Angeles, CA: Feral House, 1990), p. 213.
- Lacey, Michael. "Pieces of the Action: What's worse? A venture capitalist or a guy who smokes cunderage hookers?". SF Weekly Jun 20 2007.
- ""Satan's Den in Great Disrepair" Lattin, Don (January 25, 1999)". San Francisco Chronicle. January 25, 1999. Archived from the original on July 20, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- Boulware, Jack (June 17, 1998). "Has the Church of Satan Gone to Hell?". SF Weekly. San Francisco. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
- "A Brief History of the Church of Satan 2. The Magic Circle". Churchofsatan.com. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- "The Satanic Mass/Zeena's Baptism Track A9 go to 3:42". YouTube.
- "The Satanic Mass, Track A9 (Zeena's Baptism)". Murgenstrumm, 1968 Vinly LP. 1968.
- "Satanist Anton LaVey Baptising Daughter". San Francisco, California, USA: Bettmann/CORBIS. May 23, 1967.
LaVey said the mystic ceremony was the first such baptism in history.
- "clippings of Zeena's baptism world wide".
- "Navy Machinist's Mate Third Class Edward D. Olsen, 26". Almy. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- "Witchcraft '70 Original title: Angeli bianchi... angeli neri". IMDb. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
A mondo style report of satanic rites from around the world. Includes devil worshipping, voodoo cults, church of satan, black magic, naked exorcism and pagan rituals.
- ^ Laycock, Satanism, 2023: section 4. The Church of Satan. The Rise and Fall of Anton LaVey
- Foertsch, Steven. "An organizational analysis of the schismatic Church of Satan." Review of Religious Research 64, no. 1 (2022): 55-76, pp. 61-62
- Foertsch, Steven. "An organizational analysis of the schismatic Church of Satan." Review of Religious Research 64, no. 1 (2022): 55-76, pp. 63-4
- Lap 2013, p. 84.
- Foertsch, Steven. "An organizational analysis of the schismatic Church of Satan." Review of Religious Research 64, no. 1 (2022): 55-76.
- R. van Luijk, Children of Lucifer: The Origins of Modern Religious Satanism (New York: Oxford University Press, 2016), p. 363
- R. Lewis, Legitimating New Religions (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2003), p.111.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation, “Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Acts Release – Subject: Anton LaVey,” capitalization as in original. quoted in Joseph Laycock, Satanism, 2023
- Heimbach, MJ (May 1, 2002). "Testimony of Michael J. Heimbach, Crimes Against Children Unit". United States Congress. Archived from the original on December 30, 2006. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
- Nathan, Debbie (1995). Satan's Silence: Ritual Abuse and the Making of a Modern American Witch Hunt. iUniverse (published January 1, 1995). p. 230. ISBN 9780595189557.
- "The First Family of Satanism". YouTube. Denver Colorado. 1989.
- "KJTV Interviews Zeena LaVey". YouTube. Los Angeles. 1987.
- "Zeena Schreck Interview in Vice Magazine, Beelzebub's Daughter, by Annette Lamothe-Ramos". September 26, 2012.
- "Nick Bougas, a.k.a. A Wyatt Mann".
- "Buzzfeed article by Joseph Bernstein "History Of The Internet's Favorite Anti-Semitic Image"". BuzzFeed. February 5, 2015.
- Quinn, Andrew (November 7, 1997). "'Black Pope' of Satanic Church dies aged 67". San Francisco. Reuters.
- Gilmore, Peter H. ""Yes, We Have No Occultism."". Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- "UK | Navy approves first ever Satanist". BBC News. October 24, 2004. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- "Los Angeles CityBeat — The Devil's Advocates". Lacitybeat.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- "The Nick of time". BBC News. June 6, 2006.
- "Church Of Satan High Priest: 6/6/06 Is 'Just A Day, Like Any Other'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. April 24, 2006.
- "Albums". Lustmord. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
- "Teen Held After E-Mailing Satanic Group Threat to Kill Grandparents". FoxNews.com. December 15, 2007. Archived from the original on December 17, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
- Schager, Nick (January 22, 2024). "'Realm of Satan': Meet the Church's Magicians, Porn Stars, and Broomstick Makers". Daily Beast.
- Eddy, Cheryl (January 25, 2024). "Realm of Satan Brings Dark Glamour to a Misunderstood Culture". Gizmodo.
- "Church of Satan Youth Communiqué". Church of Satan. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
So, we simply cannot allow anyone under the legal age of consent to join the Church of Satan. The only exception to this rule would be if your parents or legal guardians are already members in good standing.
- "Join the Church of Satan". Church of Satan. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
ABOUT THE MEMBERSHIP FEE. We must emphasize that you don't have to join our organization to consider yourself a Satanist, you only need to recognize yourself in The Satanic Bible and live according to the tenets outlined therein. We don't proselytize, or otherwise campaign for people to join—that is your prerogative.
- "The Church Of Satan – Interview - Worm Gear". Worm Gear. January 5, 2009.
- ^ Boulware, Jack (August 30, 1998). "A DEVIL OF A TIME". Washington Post. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- ^ Gilmore, Peter H. "Hierarchy - churchofsatan.com". churchofsatan.com.
- "Peter H. Gilmore". Church of Satan. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- "Peggy Nadramia". Church of Satan. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- The Church of Satan Website Archived 2012-07-01 at the Wayback Machine, under Affiliation: The Grotto System Retrieved December 3, 2010
- ^ Gilmore, Peter H. "The Grotto System | churchofsatan.com". www.churchofsatan.com. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
Works cited
- Asprem, Egil; Granholm, Kennet (2014). Contemporary Esotericism. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-54357-2.
- Cavaglion, Gabriel; Sela-Shayovitz, Revital (December 2005). "The Cultural Construction of Contemporary Satanic Legends in Israel". Folklore. 116 (3): 255–271. doi:10.1080/00155870500282701. S2CID 161360139.
- Faxneld, Per; Petersen, Jesper Aagaard, eds. (2013). The Devil's Party: Satanism in Modernity. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-977924-6.
- Gilmore, Peter H.; Barton, Blanche; Butler, Timothy Patrick (2007). The Satanic Scriptures. Scapegoat Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9764035-9-3.
- Lap, Amina Olander (2013). "Categorizing Modern Satanism: An Analysis of LaVey's Early Writings". In Per Faxneld; Jesper Aagaard Petersen (eds.). The Devil's Party: Satanism in Modernity. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 83–102. ISBN 978-0-19-977924-6.
- Laycock, Joseph P. (2023). Satanism. Elements in New Religious Movements (online ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781009057349.
- Lewis, James R. (September 2002). "Diabolical Authority: Anton LaVey, The Satanic Bible and the Satanist "Tradition"". Marburg Journal of Religion. 7 (1): 1–16.
- Petersen, Jesper Aa. (2014). "Carnal, Chthonian, Complicated: The Matter of Modern Satanism". In Lewis, James R.; Petersen, Jesper Aa. (eds.). Controversial New Religions (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-515682-9.
- Wright, Lawrence (1993). Saints & Sinners. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0-394-57924-0.
Further reading
- Aquino, Michael A. (2002). The Church of Satan (PDF) (5th ed.).
- Baddeley, Gavin; Woods, Paul (2000). Lucifer Rising: A Book of Sin, Devil Worship and Rock 'n' Roll. UK: Plexus Publishing. ISBN 0-85965-280-7.
- Barton, Blanche (1990). The Church of Satan: A History of the World's Most Notorious Religion. Hell's Kitchen Productions. ISBN 0-9623286-2-6.
- Barton, Blanche. 2021. We Are Satanists: The History and Future of the Church of Satan. La Quinta, CA: Aperient Press.
- Dyrendal, Asbjørn, James R. Lewis, and L. Petersen. 2015. The Invention of Satanism. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
- Foertsch, Steven. "An Organizational Analysis of the Schismatic Church of Satan." Review of Religious Research 64: 55–76. https://philpapers.org/archive/FOEAOA.pdf
- Foertsch, Steven. "A Field Study Update on Organizational Satanism and Setianism in the United States." Review of Religious Research 64, no. 4 (2022): 981-996. https://philpapers.org/go.pl?aid=FOEAFS
- Introvigne, Massimo. 2016. Satanism: A Social History. Leiden, NL: Koninklijke Brill.
- LaVey, Anton Szandor; Wolfe, Burton H. (1969). The Satanic Bible. New York: Avon. ISBN 0-380-01539-0.
- LaVey, Anton Szandor (1971). The Satanic Witch. Venice, Calif: Feral House. ISBN 0-922915-84-9.
- LaVey, Anton Szandor (1972). The Satanic Rituals. New York: Avon. ISBN 0-380-01392-4.
- LaVey, Anton Szandor (1992). The Devil's Notebook. Venice, Calif: Feral House. ISBN 0-922915-11-3.
- LaVey, Anton Szandor (1997). Satan Speaks!. Venice, Calif: Feral House. ISBN 0-922915-66-0.
- Lewis, James R. "Diabolical Authority: Anton LaVey, The Satanic Bible and the Satanist Tradition." Marburg Journal of Religion 7, no. 1 (2002): 1-16.
- Mathews, Chris (2009). Modern Satanism: Anatomy of a Radical Subculture. Praeger Publishers. ISBN 978-0-313-36639-0.
- Nathan, D.; Snedeker, M. (1995). Satan's Silence: Ritual Abuse and the Making of a Modern American Witch Hunt. Basic Books. ISBN 978-0-87975-809-7.
- Petersen, J. 2009. "Satanists and Nuts: The Role of Schisms in Modern Satanism." In Sacred Schisms: How Religions Divide, ed. J. Lewis and S. Lewis, 218–247. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
External links
- Official website
- Interview with Anton LaVey by Michelle Carr and Elvia Lahman for Velvet Hammer souvenir programme, September 1997.
- Interview with Magus Peter H. Gilmore by CBC program The Hour.
- Interview with Zeena Schreck by Annette Lamothe-Ramos at Vice magazine, April 2012
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