I'm not a Satanist at all but I have read the Satanic Bible and The Devil's Notebook (maybe it was handbook). I borrowed them from a buddy back in high school and read them one night while I was high.
Here's a few of the things I remember about the religion as it pertains to the Church of Satan:
- They don't actually believe in Satan, yet use him/it as a symbol.
- They said in order to believe in Satan as an entity, you also would have to accept the fact that there is a God too, which they don't.
- No heaven or hell, enjoy your time here on earth.
- They belive in indulgence instead of abstinence.
- Hate anyone that is in your way.
- Dissassociate yourself from "psychic vampires" meaning the people who feed off you and drain your resources and energy.
- They don't ritually sacrifice animals or people for that matter.
- They aren't the typical crack smoking, dog mutilating, child rapists that most peope think of when they think of a Satanist.
- They do believe that you rule all beasts and should do what you will with them.
- Homosexuality and Bestiality are ok, basically anything you derive pleasure from, sexual or oitherwise, is ok.
- They believe in magic, rituals, and incantations which the former dark pope and author (La Vey) claims to have worked.
- You should celebrate your birthday as if it were the greatest holiday.
Those are some of the main points that I remember. They made a few ponts that I agree with but I already felt that way before reading the books. Same deal with the Holy Bible with me. They both have ideas I agree with but were nothing new to me. They were both loaded with a lot of BS and both want you to conform to their ideals and philosophies. I found the King James version of the Bible to be a more enjoyable read. I mainly prefer non-fiction books, so I doubt I'll ever re-read either of them again.
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