The Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey: The Ultimate Resource for Satanists

What is the Satanic Bible by Anton Lavey?

If you are interested in learning more about Satanism, one of the most influential and controversial books on this topic is The Satanic Bible by Anton Szandor LaVey. This book is considered to be the foundational text of LaVeyan Satanism, a form of religious philosophy that rejects conventional morality and embraces individualism, rationality, and hedonism. But what exactly is this book about? Who wrote it and why? How can you access and read it online? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, as we explore the history, content, significance, and impact of The Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey.

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The history and context of the Satanic Bible

The Satanic Bible was first published in 1969 by Anton Szandor LaVey (1930-1997), an American occultist, musician, and founder of the Church of Satan. LaVey was fascinated by various aspects of dark culture, such as horror movies, circus freaks, carnivals, magic, and occultism. He also studied various philosophical and religious traditions, such as Nietzscheanism, Social Darwinism, Humanism, Paganism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Gnosticism. He synthesized his eclectic interests and experiences into a new worldview that he called Satanism.

LaVey claimed that he wrote The Satanic Bible as a response to the hypocrisy and corruption that he saw in mainstream religions, especially Christianity. He wanted to create a new religion that would celebrate human nature instead of condemning it. He also wanted to challenge the prevailing notions of good and evil, God and Satan, heaven and hell. He argued that Satan was not a literal being, but a symbol of rebellion, freedom, wisdom, and power. He also argued that humans were not created in God's image, but were animals who should follow their natural instincts and desires.

However, LaVey did not write The Satanic Bible entirely from scratch. He borrowed heavily from earlier sources and movements that influenced his thinking. For example, he used parts of Might Is Right by Ragnar Redbeard (a pseudonym for Arthur Desmond), a 19th-century anarchist manifesto that advocated social Darwinism and survival of the fittest. He also used parts of The Enochian Keys by John Dee and Edward Kelley, 16th-century occultists who claimed to communicate with angels through a magical language. He also drew inspiration from Aleister Crowley, a 20th-century occultist who founded Thelema, a religion based on the motto "Do what thou wilt".

The Satanic Bible was published by Avon Books, a popular publisher of paperback fiction. The book was marketed as a sensational and provocative work that would appeal to the counterculture and youth of the 1960s. The book sold well and became a cult classic, but it also generated a lot of controversy and criticism. Many religious groups, especially Christians, denounced the book as blasphemous, immoral, and dangerous. They accused LaVey of promoting evil, violence, and hedonism. They also claimed that the book was responsible for the rise of Satanism and occultism among young people, and for the occurrence of crimes and atrocities committed by Satanists.

The structure and content of the Satanic Bible

The Satanic Bible consists of four books: The Book of Satan, The Book of Lucifer, The Book of Belial, and The Book of Leviathan. Each book contains a number of chapters that cover different aspects of LaVeyan Satanism. Here is a brief overview of each book and its main themes and teachings.

The Book of Satan

This book contains four chapters that are based on Might Is Right by Ragnar Redbeard. The chapters are written in a poetic and rhetorical style, and they present Satan as a voice of defiance and liberation. The main message of this book is that humans should reject the weak and false values of Christianity, such as humility, compassion, and forgiveness, and embrace the strong and true values of Satanism, such as pride, selfishness, and vengeance. The book also asserts that humans should pursue their own happiness and pleasure, without regard for the consequences or the opinions of others.

The Book of Lucifer

This book contains twelve chapters that are based on LaVey's own writings. The chapters are written in a more logical and explanatory style, and they present Lucifer as a symbol of enlightenment and reason. The main message of this book is that humans should use their intellect and will to master their own lives and the world around them. The book also explains the core principles and beliefs of LaVeyan Satanism, such as the Nine Satanic Statements, the Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth, and the Nine Satanic Sins. The book also discusses various topics related to Satanism, such as magic, sex, love, hate, death, and psychic vampires.

The Book of Belial

This book contains four chapters that are based on LaVey's own writings. The chapters are written in a more practical and instructional style, and they present Belial as a symbol of mastery and power. The main message of this book is that humans should use magic to manipulate reality and achieve their goals. The book also describes the theory and practice of LaVeyan magic, which is divided into two types: greater magic and lesser magic. Greater magic is the performance of rituals and ceremonies that involve the use of symbols, objects, words, gestures, emotions, and imagination to create a desired change in oneself or in others. Lesser magic is the use of wile and guile to influence people or situations through appearance, charm, charisma, or deception.

The Book of Leviathan

This book contains one chapter that is based on The Enochian Keys by John Dee and Edward Kelley. The chapter is written in a mystical and cryptic style, and it presents Leviathan as a symbol of chaos and emotion. The main message of this book is that humans should tap into their subconscious mind and unleash their primal instincts. The book also contains the nineteen Enochian Keys, which are invocations that are supposed to summon various forces or entities related to Satanism. The book also provides instructions on how to use the keys in ritual settings.

The significance and impact of the Satanic Bible

The Satanic Bible has played a crucial role in the formation and development of the Church of Satan, which was founded by LaVey in 1966. The Church of Satan is an organization that promotes LaVeyan Satanism as a religion and philosophy. It has members from various countries and backgrounds who share a common interest in Satanism. The Church of Satan does not have a central authority or hierarchy, but rather operates as a network of autonomous groups or individuals who follow their own interpretation of LaVeyan Satanism. The Church of Satan also does not have any official rituals or ceremonies, but rather encourages its members to create their own rituals or ceremonies based on their personal preferences.

The influence of the Satanic Bible on popular culture and media

The Satanic Bible has also had a significant impact on popular culture and media, especially in the genres of horror, fantasy, and metal music. Many artists, writers, filmmakers, musicians, and celebrities have been inspired by or associated with The Satanic Bible and LaVeyan Satanism. Some examples are:

• Marilyn Manson, a shock rock musician who was ordained as a priest of the Church of Satan by LaVey in 1994. Manson has used Satanic imagery and themes in his music and performances, such as the inverted cross, the pentagram, and the Sigil of Baphomet. He has also expressed admiration for LaVey and his philosophy.

• Stephen King, a horror novelist who has referenced The Satanic Bible and LaVeyan Satanism in some of his works, such as The Stand, Needful Things, and The Dark Tower. King has also acknowledged that he owns a copy of The Satanic Bible and that he has read it several times.

• Rosemary's Baby, a 1968 horror film directed by Roman Polanski and based on the novel by Ira Levin. The film depicts a young woman who is impregnated by Satan through a Satanic cult. The film features a cameo appearance by LaVey as the Devil.

• The Sandman, a comic book series created by Neil Gaiman that ran from 1989 to 1996. The series follows the adventures of Dream, one of the seven Endless who are powerful beings that embody aspects of existence. The series features various characters and concepts related to Satanism, such as Lucifer, Hell, demons, witches, and magic.

• QAnon, a far-right conspiracy theory that emerged in 2017 and spread online through social media platforms. The theory claims that there is a secret cabal of Satan-worshipping pedophiles who control the world and are plotting against Donald Trump and his supporters. The theory also accuses various celebrities, politicians, and institutions of being part of the cabal or its victims.

These are just some of the examples of how The Satanic Bible has influenced popular culture and media over the years. The book has also inspired many other works of art, literature, film, music, and games that explore themes of Satanism, occultism, magic, and rebellion.

How to access and read the Satanic Bible online

If you are curious about The Satanic Bible and want to read it online, you have several options to choose from. However, you should also be aware of some issues and challenges that come with reading the book online.

One option is to download or stream the PDF versions of the book that are available on various websites. Some of these websites are official sources affiliated with the Church of Satan or its members, such as www.churchofsatan.com or www.satanicbible.info. Other websites are unofficial sources that may or may not have permission from the publisher or the author's estate to distribute the book online.

The advantage of reading the PDF versions of the book online is that they are free and easy to access. You can read them on any device that supports PDF files, such as computers, tablets, or smartphones. You can also print them out if you prefer to read them on paper.

The disadvantage of reading the PDF versions of the book online is that they may not be accurate or complete. Some PDF versions may have errors or omissions in the text or formatting. Some PDF versions may also be missing parts of the book, such as the introduction by Peter H. Gilmore or the dedication page by Anton LaVey. Some PDF versions may also be infected with malware or viruses that could harm your device or compromise your privacy.

Another option is to buy or borrow the ebook versions of the book that are available on various platforms. Some of these platforms are official sources affiliated with the publisher or the author's estate, such as Amazon Kindle or Barnes & Noble Nook. Other platforms are unofficial sources that may or may not have permission from the publisher or the author's estate to sell or lend the book online.

The advantage of reading the ebook versions of the book online is that they are more accurate and complete. They have the same text and formatting as the print versions of the book, and they include all the parts of the book, such as the introduction by Peter H. Gilmore and the dedication page by Anton LaVey. They also have features that enhance the reading experience, such as bookmarks, highlights, notes, and search functions.

The disadvantage of reading the ebook versions of the book online is that they are not free and may not be easy to access. You have to pay a fee or subscribe to a service to buy or borrow them. You also have to use a specific device or app that supports the ebook format, such as Kindle, Nook, or Adobe Digital Editions. You may also encounter issues with compatibility, availability, or legality depending on your location and device.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey is a fascinating and influential book that presents a unique perspective on Satanism, religion, and life. The book has a rich history and context that reflect the author's personal experiences and interests. The book has a clear structure and content that explain the core principles and practices of LaVeyan Satanism. The book has a significant impact on popular culture and media that inspire and challenge many artists and audiences. The book has various options for accessing and reading it online that have advantages and disadvantages.

If you want to learn more about The Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey, you can visit the official website of the Church of Satan at www.churchofsatan.com. You can also check out some of the other works by or about LaVey, such as The Satanic Rituals, The Satanic Witch, The Devil's Notebook, Satan Speaks!, The Secret Life of a Satanist, or The Church of Satan. You can also explore some of the works of art, literature, film, music, and games that are influenced by or related to The Satanic Bible and LaVeyan Satanism.

We hope you enjoyed this article and found it informative and interesting. Thank you for reading!

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about The Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey:

Is The Satanic Bible a real bible?

• No, The Satanic Bible is not a real bible in the sense that it is not a sacred scripture that reveals the word of God or a divine authority. It is rather a human-made book that expresses the personal opinions and views of Anton LaVey on Satanism, religion, and life.

Do Satanists worship Satan?

• No, Satanists do not worship Satan as a literal being or a supernatural entity. They rather view Satan as a symbol of rebellion, freedom, wisdom, and power. They also view themselves as their own gods who follow their own rules and values.

Is The Satanic Bible evil?

• No, The Satanic Bible is not evil in the sense that it does not promote harm or destruction to others or oneself. It rather promotes self-respect, self-reliance, self-indulgence, self-preservation, and self-expression. It also encourages rationality, realism, creativity, and curiosity.

Is The Satanic Bible illegal?

• No, The Satanic Bible is not illegal in most countries and regions where freedom of speech and religion are respected and protected. However, there may be some places where The Satanic Bible is banned or restricted due to censorship or discrimination.

Is The Satanic Bible worth reading?

• Yes, The Satanic Bible is worth reading if you are interested in learning more about Satanism, religion, or life from a different perspective. You may agree or disagree with what LaVey says in the book, but you will certainly find it stimulating and challenging.

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