4 Cheers for Satanism

Time to emphasize agreement.

(Photo credit: GTRus)

April 11, 2022, marks the 92 anniversary of Anton LaVey's birth. LaVey, who passed on in 1997, founded contemporary Satanism and the Church of Satan in 1966.

As a philosophy, Lavey's Satanism has nothing to do with the worship of demons. Conspiracy theories involving Satanic rituals involving animal or human sacrices and pedophilia are entirely disconnected with LaVey's Satanism, which is rigorously atheistic and which protects the rights of all, including children.

What Lavey's Satanism seems to me is a philosophy of individualism that may use rituals as a form of emotional clearing and the focusing of intention (the same with many religions and "spiritual" practices), but also might use ceremonies as parody. As I wrote last summer, Satanism is a catch-all term for evil, but I don't think any member of the Church of Satan would have proposed and implemented something as grotesque as the ritual abuse at TSA checkpoints. 

The ugliness of Satanism is that its individualism is ruthless. It seems to have no taste for empathy or compassion at all. That's not necessarily bad: no one can force or persuade another to be more empathetic or compassionate than they want to be. But "Death to the weakling, wealth to the strong!" doesn't sound conducive to building lasting relationships. I believe wealth is possible for everyone if we encourage each other where we are strong, and assist each other where we are weak.

Anton LeVay, however, was quite right on some things. If he wasn't his Church would have folded with his passing. Here are four quotes I found valuable (all of them at Wikiquote, where they are properly sourced.

1. "Definition of Good and Evil: Good is what you like. Evil is what you don't like."

LaVey is correct. Good and evil are not objective truths. They can't be. Anything that is right, must feel right. Anything that is good, must feel good, and the feeling comes from the pit of the stomach. How am I supposed to know how your pit feels, and how can I persuade it that it's "wrong" to feel that way? I can't.

2. "The best place to meditate is on the pot. If you have a comfortable toilet seat and a stout lock on the door, there's no telling what great thoughts might emerge."

I hadn't thought of this before, but the bathroom is probably the last remaining place where privacy is (mostly) respected. If the house isn't crowded or there are enough toilets to go around, the bathroom is probably the best getaway to relax and meditate.

3. "White magic is supposedly utilized only for good or unselfish purposes, and black magic, we are told, is used only for selfish or 'evil' reasons. Satanism draws no such dividing line. Magic is magic, be it used to help or hinder. The Satanist, being the magician, should have the ability to decide what is just, and then apply the powers of magic to attain his goals." 

(Check the Church of Satan's FAQ on magic and how it's in accord with atheism.)

News flash: everyone always does what is right in their own eyes. If it is "just" in the eye of the beholder, then it is good and right in their eyes. The tool, even if it is a form of magic, is itself morally neutral.

I'll confess, however, that this paragraph is incomplete. LaVey concludes with: "Nature, in her ineffable wisdom, wastes nothing. Seemingly useless but parasitic or destructive persons should be used like clay pigeons: for target practice."

I'd suggest it's healthier and more efficient to just walk away from such people than to use magical rituals as a means to direct negative intentions at them.

4. "To the Satanist, martyrdom and non-personalized heroism is to be associated not with integrity, but with stupidity. This, of course, does not apply to the situations which involve the safety of a loved one. But to give one's own life for something as impersonal as a political or religious issue is the ultimate in masochism."

I'd like to think I would give my life for a friend. I can't imagine giving my life for the opinions or popularity of a politician.

Conclusion

I believe LaVey's Satanism falls short if we are to live together happily and in harmony. LaVey would rather have people he thinks are inferior, or that he dislikes, be crushed. At the same time, his version of Satanism allows each of us to do as we want provided we allow others the equal freedom to do the same. 

Satanists seem to be on the side of equal rights for all, and that's the right side.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!