DEEP SATANISM

Dr. LaVey was fond of saying Satanism demands STUDY – NOT worship.

I am appalled whenever I see or hear these crawling cretins who have barely “phonically” read THE SATANIC BIBLE, whose cultural literacy consists of whatever stuck from bad television, video games, movies, and trend-saturated peer-memes. Whose background knowledge consists of reading liner notes to a Danzig CD. Who, upon becoming barely capable of rephrasing some snippets from THE SATANIC BIBLE in their own words, immediately succumb to the idea that they “know it all.”

Without belittling THE SATANIC BIBLE in ANY way, it is ONE of FIVE books by Dr. LaVey – all of which cover a LOT of ground.

Once these are under your wing, it is advised to pursue the works listed in the bibliography of THE SATANIC WITCH.

This extensive list of books is a peek into Dr. LaVey’s private library, hand picked to provide Satanists with further research into the roots, scope, and spectrum of Satanism. (There are also the recommended reading lists in THE Church of Satan by Magistra Blanche Barton).

This is a lifetime project. I am almost forty years old, have studied Satanism since I was very young, and have been involved with the Church of Satan for well over a decade, and been a member of the Priesthood for nearly a decade. I have still not read all the books in that list. I’ve read most of them, and benefited greatly there from, but have not read all of them.

BUT this is not all.

Satanism does not exist in a vacuum.

Once you have the basic scope of Satanic theory and practice, you have to comprehend and apply it in the context of THE WHOLE WORLD.

Satanism is not called a WORLDLY PHILOSOPHY for nothing!

Satanism pertains to EVERYTHING and EVERYTHING pertains to Satanism.

A “third side” perspective bears insight into EVERYTHING a Satanist could conceivably turn their attention to: History, Politics, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, the numerous Arts and Sciences, Business, Technology, etc.

The World is Your Oyster.

EVERYTHING is of interest.

For this reason, Satanists may be the last Renaissance men and women – the last generalists – interested in EVERYTHING.

MORE ON THIS LATER……

Post like this that really brings to light the heart of the Satanist. I have noticed that most people seem to think that reading these books is enough to call ones self a Satanist. I have read a lot of books on raw food diets but a raw food guru I am not.

There is a large difference between an “armchair satanist (lowercase on purpose)” and a living embodiment of the philosophical and religious applications that make one a true living Satanist. Your post brings clarity to this separation of Hollywood’s brand of Satanism and the real life story of those who continue to walk the path of the Elite.

Perhaps if more individuals would put the total resources provided in all of the works available by the CoS and the authors whose work inspired its coming into being to use, we would have less so called satanists and more authentic Satanists.

Thank you for your words.

I see the truth in what you say Svengali.

Application is key, and I have been devoting a great deal of thought to these matters. One of the more interesting ones I have given focus to is about "total enviornments" and how they could benefit me.

Yet,is not an outwardly manipulated enviornment an expression of inner needs and prefferences? So yes,so many factors to be taken into account,and the human animal is complex. So the more one knows of it's workings and habits,the better armed one is in dealing with, and controlling it.

Thank you for the reminder,it seems I will need to be adding to my library soon!

It is said:

SPECIALISTS know more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing.

GENERALISTS know less and less about more and more until they know nothing about everything.

The ideal would be to know as much as possible about as much as possible – pursuing “specialized” depth in subject matter that deeply inspires us, or relates directly to our worldly endeavors.

The strongest argument for general cultural literacy is that knowledge begets knowledge, and studies have shown that information is more readily assimilated by association – this means that the more background you have to associate to new data, the more likely you are to comprehend and retain the new information.

The better and faster information is assimilated and comprehended, the better and faster it is APPLIED.

Also, there is no end to the unexpected interrelationship between unlikely subjects, and the light it sheds.

The Satanist is especially adept in mapping and exploiting “gray areas.” One of the outstanding aspects of Dr. LaVey’s genius to was to map the grey areas between psychology and religion – his reading lists hint at the raw material he worked with to connect the dots – not just in the ‘academic’ sense, but in the real-world pragmatic sense.

A broad general background is also the antidote to “forgetfulness of past orthodoxies.”

MORE TO COME.......

Nodding...the more varied the points of interest,the greater the permutations of the cross linkages.

The picture grows larger and larger........

Waits for the next installment.

None of this is about pretentiousness or “intellectual” snobbery.

The main thrust of this ties directly to Dr. LaVey’s essay “The Details Make the Difference,” in SATAN SPEAKS! p. 141-42.

More later....

Also, from our High Priest, Magus Peter H. Gilmore:

"Remember, “Satanism demands study, not worship!” But that study is an in-depth one of the human animal. It includes such topics as philosophy, history, religious beliefs, anthropology, sociology, psychology, and the hard sciences. The members of the Priesthood of Mendes, who represent us publicly, understand much in these areas. But there’s more.... They have their Priesthood not only because they have this knowledge, but because they have also applied it to honing their talents and using them to make a mark on the world itself, outside of the subject of Satanism."

http://www.churchofsatan.com/Pages/MythCommunity.html

This applies to all Satanists, not just those who would be among the Hierarchy.

More to come...

Well stated.

Instrumentalism(in depth) is next on my list.

In amongst my current studies on the works of Rembrandt, Vermeer and El Greco.

As well as The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi.

"Once you have the basic scope of Satanic theory and practice, you have to comprehend and apply it in the context of THE WHOLE WORLD. "

Congratulation Svengali. these words mean a lot. it is so true . I have nothing to say more. and thank you.

>>The World is Your Oyster.
>>
>>EVERYTHING is of interest.

Aside from how things relate to Satanism, I've never understood this immense apathy that so many adults have to learning anything outside of their TV. I mean, don't people want to know at least a thing or two about the world? History? Biology? What all the fuss is over "E=mc2" or Shakespeare? Visit another country in their lifetime? Read a book that isn't from the first floor of Tower Records? I'll never understand it.

What's most pathetic is when they try to make inferiors out of those who DO have the curiosity and creativity to learn about the world. This is usually denoted by the phrase "You have too much time on your hands!" I heard people use that phrase on me, basically because I don't spend all my free time watching TV and playing computer games.

>>For this reason, Satanists may be the last Renaissance
>>men and women – the last generalists – interested in
>>EVERYTHING.

Unfortunately, I see many people take the "interest in everything" approach and misapply it to be masters-at-nothing. I've also met people who, to quote Dogbert, "combine arrogance with trivia and try to pass it off as intelligence."

But, more on this later.

People around school and elsewhere always gush about how I am "so smart" and "know something about everything."

Yes, I do have natural intelligence, but really, the fact that I supposedly know so much (and there are still many things I don't know) I think can be attributed, simply, to curiosity, passion, and dilligence. If you see the world as a fascinating place full of adventure, you'll explore the ins and outs with gusto. If you feel bashful about ignorance, ashamed of stupidity, and unease with not knowing, you'll strive to get out of those positions, stat. If you see information as a key to life rather than a burden, you'll seek it with greater enthusiasm. I also know when to apply my knowledge (and that includes knowing when and how to share tidbits of it), so that makes it seem all the more impressive.

hmm.... interesting idea there, TrojZyr, but one must not overlook theology, or rather books dealing with it, for in all fiction there is a shred of truth, also i think every satanist should read the bible, so they at least know a thing or two about it when they spout off at christians like myself (i mean no harm in coming here, i just wish to adress some misgivings about my religeon.) love craft is also some good fiction with lots of credible research behind it, i also am interested in the fortean documents myself.