Perhaps the best defense of Anton LaVey I have ever read. Nicely done! And I think it is telling that most of the people pointing out how LaVey was a "fraud" are those associated with other "satanic" organizations, who I will not name here because frankly, they get too much attention as it is.

Equally annoying are those who say "LaVey did a good job attacking Christianity, but then he thought up an equally silly religion. What a hypocrite!". While LaVey's Satanism has a healthy dose of anti-Christianity in it (pretty self evident I think!) it is not what its against that makes it so original: its what it promotes and the positive values it brought to the table. The framework of Satanism wouldn't be half as original as it is if all LaVey's writings did was criticise Christianity.

And on a somewhat related note, a lot of the above alluded to pseudo-Satanic groups criticise LaVey for turning into a fascist towards the end of his life. I'm not sure exactly what they mean. I assume that they think a philosophy based on individualism that was born in the 1960's should be some kind of hippy "We're all Okay" ideology. Satanism's elitism turns them off it seems, and the views LaVey expressed in interviews and in writing are not up to their egalitarian standards. Therefore, he is a fascist and a nutcase! While the individualism of Satanism is important, I think its concept of justice and Lex Talionis is good in that it sets it apart from these mushy self help groups.

Excellent post. Very well stated.

As usual, you cut through the mustard with the best of them.

Well done!

One thing I'd like to highlight and compliment you on is the fact that you recognize the most important issue; it doesn't matter if any of this is true.

What Dr. LaVey codified is absolutely brilliant, practical, knowledgeable, economical, judicious, sagacious, cosmopolitan and any other adjective you care to apply. His real name, height, weight and sexcapades will never detract from that, no matter the nay-saying.

Quote:

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The fact is, Dr. LaVey was a monolith; a Satanic archetype that ripped into Christian apathy and showed it for the ridiculous sham that it is. He brought magic to an audience that had a life outside a ritual chamber and encouraged the talented to make their mark however they wanted to make it.

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Outstanding, just outstanding!

All of the detractors of Dr. LaVey seem to base their opinions on misinformation and stupidity. I have read all of the man's books, and when you step back and take a look at the whole picture, well, it's simply stunning.

But to get that, you've got to read it.

Again, great post!

Great post.

I always say that even if every one of the lies they say about Doctor LaVey were true… I would still be a Satanist. I identify with the religion he codified, not the tabloid trivia he may have inspired. My admiration for his work doesn’t depend on how many lions he domesticated or how many lovers he had.

Another great post.

It's always a sign of someone's insecurity that when they hear they may have been duped they must "help" others not be duped as they were. They will crusade to save themselves, and become frustrated when they realize they're the only ones who care whether or not it was true. These individuals jump on personality cults fairly easy from what I've seen. Jumping on to the next personality as you stated another LaVey or some coat-tail rider, when said personality "shows them the truth," of course this informant is surely the 100% real deal and wouldn't dare lie to them.