Church of Satan Commonly Asked Questions

[SOD of the CoE]

hi Herbert!

it's really too bad that you and your church have prejudices against
me, even when I'm trying to help out the Church of Satan and you by
examining the detail of your Commonly Asked Questions file and have
recently examined the hypocrisies of your Great Leader. perhaps some
day you will see that we are truly allies and make me one of your
cult, but until then, I'll keep after you to fix some of these
errors you present each time you repost your file. :) later you
will thank me that I improved your grammar and propaganda.

here ya go!

Archive-name: religions/satanism/cos
Posting-Frequency: monthly and whenever I see the need
Last-modified: 2004/03/23
Version: 2.3
URL: http://www.churchofsatan.com/
Copyright: (c)2001 Church of Satan, P.O. Box 499, Radio City Station,
New York, NY 10101-0499 USA

more than a year since this came to stability.
thanks for reposting it. much snippage throughout.
"s/b" can be interpreted as "should be" or as a suggestion.
whereas "NOTE" is just some feedback for your reflection.


ToC (Question format/content change suggestion):

# 4.6. To apply the name of Satan to this church implies a connection
# to the Bible. What is the stance of the CoS on these popular
# tales and predictions? Who is Christ to the CoS?

s/b
4.6. 'Satan' as part of the name of this church implies a connection
with Xtian scripture. What is the stance of the CoS on these
popular tales and predictions? Who or what is Christ to the CoS?


Contents:

# 1. Introduction and Terminology
# 1.1. What is the purpose of this document?
# Many misunderstandings, false rumors and plain lies about the
# Church of Satan have been spread online, especially in the
# alt.satanism forum on Usenet and on several web pages, as well as
# on many hours of television shows and in numerous newspaper articles.

s/b Church of Satan have been spread online, especially in usenet's
alt.satanism forum and on several web pages. This was compounded
by numerous slanderous television shows and newspaper articles.


# 1.2. What is a FAQ?

# information, usually put together by voluntary enthusiasts in order

s/b information, often put together by enthusiastic volunteers in order


# home newsgroups and (usually) to news.answers, and archived at
# various places....

s/b home newsgroups, alt.answers, and news.answers, and archived
at faqs.org/religions/satanism/cos and other FAQ reservoirs.


# ...proposals for more idiomatic wordings are always cordially
# welcomed.

NOTE
that's primarily what I'm doing here. I did it once or twice before
with Herbert Paulis COS FAQs/REFs but don't know if they were used
or seen in posting.


# Some Satanists find themselves discussing Christianity frequently.
# In order to cut down on keystrokes many type "Xtian" and "Xtianity"
# rather than the longer versions. A few may intend it partly as a
# slur, but most do it only for convenience. The abbreviation itself
# is far from insulting; it is accepted and used by many Christians
# including (we are told) the Pope, as the first letter of Christ in
# Greek is Chi which looks like the Roman character "X".

NOTE
you might want to mention the use of "Xmas", which I remember
from my childhood. I suspect the story about the RCPope is false.


# 3. Anton Szandor LaVey
# 3.2. LaVey's death

# Although there has been some confusion with his funeral records,
# some listed Halloween as his death date, rumors that his death has
# been caused deliberately by a Xtian nurse are grossly false. He was
# being given a Satanic funeral, attended only by his closest
# relatives and was cremated afterwards, as per his wishes.

s/b some listed Halloween as his death date, rumors that his death was
caused deliberately by a Xtian nurse are completely false. He was
given a Satanic funeral, attended only by his closest relatives,
and was afterwards cremated as per his wishes.


# 3.3. The Church of Satan after LaVey

# Memberships registrations and correspondences sent to other prior
# Church of Satan addresses (san Francisco, San Diego) will be processed
# however there may be a delay.

s/b Memberships, registrations and correspondence sent to other,
prior Church of Satan addresses (e.g. San Francisco and San Diego)
will be processed, with the possibility of a delay.


# 3.4. Myths and truths
# Zeena LaVey, his younger daughter, chose to disown her father in
# 1989 and had no more contact with him nor the Church of Satan since.
# After his death, she has gone on TV shows, claiming that she has proven
# herself to be the more competent Satanic magician as her father died
# due to a curse she placed upon him. Of course, no such curse was
# mentioned prior to his death. She has contacted reporters to claim
# among other things, that her father was a wife-beater (no evidence
# has been provided to back up this assertion); and that he never had
# a relationship with Jayne Mansfield (despite the fact that several photos
# prove the contrary, see _The Secret Life of a Satanist_) or any
# involvement with the film _Rosemary's Baby_ (LaVey was known to have
# helped promote the San Francisco premiere and the publicity concerning
# prove the contrary, see _The Secret Life of a Satanist_) or any
# involvement with the film _Rosemary's Baby_ (LaVey was known to have
# helped promote the San Francisco premiere and the publicity concerning
# the Church of Satan clearly influenced Ira Levin, author of the novel).
# She has cursed herself to a miserable fate.


s/b Zeena LaVey, his younger daughter, chose to disown her father in
1989 and has since had no contact with him or the Church of Satan.
After his death she appeared on TV shows, claiming that she has
proven herself to be a more competent Satanic magician than her
father because he died due to a curse which she placed upon him.
Of course she mentioned no such curse prior to his death. She
contacted reporters and claimed, among other things: that her
father was a wife-beater (no evidence has been provided to back
up this assertion); that he never had a relationship with actress
Jayne Mansfield (despite the fact that several photos demonstrate
to the contrary -- see _The Secret Life of a Satanist_); nor any
involvement with the film _Rosemary's Baby_ (LaVey is known to
have helped promote the San Francisco premiere, and the publicity
concerning the Church of Satan clearly influenced Ira Levin,
author of the novel upon which the film was based). Zeena has
cursed herself to a miserable fate.


# Karla LaVey, his older daughter, chose not to be affiliated with the
# Church of Satan.

suggestion:
Karla LaVey, his older daughter, chose not to be affiliated with the
Church of Satan and instead opened her own "First Satanic Church"
which may be found online at http://www.satanicchurch.com/content/


# People often wondered about the "Doctor" title seen once in awhile
# in connection with LaVey's name. Formally speaking, Anton
# LaVey did not hold a Ph.D. or anything similar. But he never said
# that he did earn such a degree. It was and still is the practice that
# his friends and people who hold him up in great respect called and
# continue to call him "Doc" or "Dr. LaVey" as a kind of honorary title
# (_The Secret Life of a Satanist_, p.223). It is only natural that
# there were and will always be people who run him down because of
# this. So what? If they are not good enough to get an academic
# degree for themselves at some university and not famous enough to
# get an honorary title, chalk it up to envy and jealousy.

s/b People have often wondered about the term "Doctor" sometimes
used to refer to LaVey. Formally speaking, Anton LaVey did not
obtain a Ph.D. or anything similar, and he never claimed to have
earned such a degree. It was, and still is, a common practice of
his friends and those who hold him in high regard to call him
"Doc" or "Dr. LaVey" as a kind of honorary title (see _The Secret
Life of a Satanist_, p.223). It is sadly commonplace that LaVey's
enemies criticize the man because of this practice. The fact that
many of these critics are insufficiently diligent so as to get a
degree themselves and fail to become famous enough to earn an
honorary title from admirers makes their envy all the more obvious.


# 3.5. Isn't Anton LaVey merely ripping off Nietzsche?
# Extremely limited (and limiting) thinking, indeed. When LaVey
# refers to an idea, concept, or quote derived or taken from someone
# else, he often cites the author, either in the paragraph or in the
# indices of his books. If anything LaVey writes seems or is similar
# to past concepts, oftentimes, this material is augmented with modern
# circumstances, his own thoughts, and may be synthesized from past
# thinkers. Seeing that Satanism is a work in progress, a working blend
# of science and philosophy, we are fully justified in choosing the
# valid concepts of old, working with them in our new context and
# taking them into the future. (If we didn't, who else would?) It is
# the same process used by scientists, doctors, psychologists, and many

s/b This is extremely limited (and limiting) thinking. When LaVey
refers to an idea, concept, or quote derived or taken from someone
else, he often cites the author, either in the paragraph or in the
bibliographies of his books. LaVey's expression which seems similar
to earlier writers is usually augmented to fit within a modern
context, synthesized from numerous sources. Since Satanism is a
work in progress blending science and philosophy, we are fully
justified in our use of older, proven concepts, taking them into
the future (if we didn't, who else would?). The same methods
are used by scientists, doctors, psychologists, and many


# 4. Satanism as seen by the Church of Satan


# We take the name Satan in concept only. Any other connection is

s/b We use the name 'Satan' as a concept only. Any other connection is


# paradigm for these qualities, and is thus reviled by Satanists.

s/b exemplar of these qualities, and is thus reviled by Satanists.


# to be installed in humans from early childhood, because if it was

s/b to be instilled in humans from early childhood, because if it was


# We say that Satanists are born, so proselytizing to us, unlike other
# Religions, would have no point. It would waste our time and we'd

s/b We say that Satanists are born. Therefore, unlike other religions,
proselytizing would be pointless. It would waste our time and we'd


# 5. Membership in the Church of Satan

# For a one-time registration fee of one hundred dollars, you will

elsewhere online web-pages indicate that this should be changed to:

For a one-time registration fee of two hundred dollars, you will


# of your maturity; we've received letters from 14-year-olds who had
# a distinct, mature grasp of Satanism. But we must be realistic
# about the world around us. One reason is that we don't want to
# become a haven for the kind of sanctimonious perverts that
# Christian churches and other "Goodguy Badge" forums (such as Big
# Brother/Big Sister, Boy Scouts, etc.) often are. There are a lot of

s/b of your maturity. We've received letters from 14-year-olds who had
a distinct, mature grasp of Satanism, but we must be realistic
about the world around us. We don't want to become a haven for
the kind of sanctimonious perverts that are so often found in
Christian churches and other "Goodguy Badge" forums (like Big
Brother/Big Sister, Boy Scouts, etc.). There are a lot of


# becomes a lot more than a game of shock-the-sheep and the Satanist

s/b becomes a lot more than a game of shock-the-sheep, and the Satanist


# idea of victimization riding shotgun with it, and victim is a label
# no Satanist cares to wear - mainly because it's unproductive as
# well as being antithetical to pure Satanic philosophy.

s/b victimization riding shotgun with it. 'Victim' is a label which
no Satanist cares to wear -- mainly because it's unproductive,
as well as being antithetical to pure Satanic philosophy.


# 6. Satanic Literature

# 6.1. Books by and about Anton Szandor LaVey and the Church of Satan

# THE SATANIC BIBLE and THE SATANIC RITUALS
# -- by Anton Szandor LaVey.
# Published in paperback by AVON BOOKS; available in all major
# bookstores, in the Occult or New Age sections.

suggest that you add:
ISBN: 0380015390 and ISBN: 0380013924 respectively

# THE SATANIC WITCH and THE DEVIL'S NOTEBOOK
# -- by Anton Szandor LaVey.
# Published by Feral House, available in all major bookstores. If
# needed, bookseller can order, or copies are available from the
# publisher:
# FERAL HOUSE, 2554 Lincoln Blvd. #1059, Venice, CA 90291, USA.
# Send SASE for info.

suggest that you add:
ISBN: 0922915008 and ISBN: 0922915113 respectively

# SATAN SPEAKS
# -- by Anton Szandor LaVey
# Dr. LaVey's last (and final) book, released
# 1998 by FERAL HOUSE (address above).

suggest that you add:
ISBN: 0922915660

# THE SECRET LIFE OF A SATANIST
# -- by Blanche Barton.
# The authorized biography of Anton LaVey, published by FERAL HOUSE.
# In the "Biography" section of bookstores (paperback or hardcover),
# or send SASE to FERAL HOUSE (address above) for info.

suggest that you add:
ISBN: 0922915121

# THE CHURCH OF SATAN
# -- by Blanche Barton.
# Detailed history of the Church, with photos, instructions on
# forming Grottos or groups, lists of Satanic films, music, and
# books. Available in stores, or order from:
# HELL'S KITCHEN PRODUCTIONS,
# P. O. Box 499, Radio City Station, New York, NY 10101-0499.
# Send SASE or 2 IRC for information.

suggest that you add:
ISBN: 0962328626

# SATAN WANTS YOU
# -- by Arthur Lyons.
# Published in 1988 by MYSTERIOUS PRESS (paperback and hardcover
# editions). Buy or order in stores.

suggest that you add:
ISBN: 0445408227


# If you have access to the Internet, you could also place an on-line

s/b If you have access to the Internet, you could also place an online


# 7. Satanic Music and Videos
# 7.1. Music by Anton Szandor LaVey
# See the Sources page at www.churchofsatan.com:
# STRANGE MUSIC (10"),

suggest that you add:
Amarillo AM-586 (OP, 1994)


# SATAN TAKES A HOLIDAY (CD), and

suggest that you add:
ASIN: B000172L8G (1995)


# THE SATANIC MASS (CD)--which also includes THE HYMN OF THE SATANIC
# EMPIRE, also known as "Battle Hymn of the Apocalypse", written and
# performed by Anton LaVey).

suggest that you add:
ASIN: B000172L86 (1995)

oh, and please thank your High Priestess, Peggy Nadramia,
for her swift boot from Magister Ventrue's web board with
*no* warning or good explanation, other than that I archive
information about which I received no complaint prior.
it really goes into showing the true colours of the CoS.

ah well. perhaps it will rise into its own some day.

EAT A QUEER FETUS FOR JESUS

blessed beast!

boboroshi at-sign satanservice.org: Satanic Outreach Director
Church of Euthanasia: http://www.churchofeuthanasia.org/
TOKUS WEBLINKS: http://dmoz.org/Bookmarks/B/boboroshi/
Ninth Scholar's Library (Satanism Archive): http://www.satanservice.org/

[9]

SOD of the CoE wrote:
[Poster is giving an opinion about quoted comment and not speaking to
SOD]

Post by SOD of the CoE
even when I'm trying to help out the Church of Satan

The arrogance of those who think the poor 'ole little CoS needs their
help amuses me.

How does anyone know whether or not the CoS is doing good or bad when
they don't make their membership numbers public?

Furthermore, the CoS isn't about membership numbers, let me paraphrase
Anton Szandor LaVey, "quality is more important than quantity".

The CoS doesn't need your help.

The CoS is a CABAL[!] of like-minded "individuals" and NOT a cult of
"followers" looking for a "church" to join.

I understand most will never get this BUT this is how it has been since
1966.

Here is a quick tip: If you want some fluffy title then join some other
cooky devil-worshipping "church" and not the CoS.

Christian churches are also the best place for fluffy titles! Laughing,
you can get off drugs and be the x-hippie or Satanist for Jesus and
become a youth pastor in just a few months at some churches! Cool!
Just give the I-used-to-live-in-the-gutter-and-was-a-sinner-wretch
story and your in! Of course, they don't want to loose you so they
will "give you something to do". Ohh, before I forget, you will need
to buy one of the new english translated teen Bibles-for-Dummies to
make you look "qualified" as the x-hippie or Satanist for Jesus. Ok,
enough of my irreverent bantor. ;-P

Note: Views of poster may or may not reflect the views of the CoS and
its representatives. These are the views of the poster and not the CoS.

[the 2nd coming of christ]

Post by 9
Christian churches are also the best place for fluffy titles! Laughing,
you can get off drugs and be the x-hippie or Satanist for Jesus

i thought you couldn't do drugs in the CoS...

are you saying that you can, now? if not, how are you any
different than the christian church you're talking about?

[Tani Jantsang ©]

Post by the 2nd coming of christ

Post by 9
Christian churches are also the best place for fluffy titles! Laughing,
you can get off drugs and be the x-hippie or Satanist for Jesus

i thought you couldn't do drugs in the CoS...
are you saying that you can, now? if not, how are you any
different than the christian church you're talking about?

Oh, I can answer that, about Christian Churches.

1. Being a Big Sinner and fessing up, might make you a LOT of money - and in
our society, money is good.
2. Christian evangelicals now have SO MUCH power, real world (the devil's
domain) power, that they alone are all that's needed to elect a president.
3. These Christian evangelicals (and on some of this, I'm 100% on their
side - on some, I'm neutral, and on a few things, I'm against - tho it
doesn't really matter what I think LOL) are really giving those fucking
"radical judges that rule from their benches" a very hard time. And they
have the clout and numbers to GIVE them that hard time.

Recently, one such radical judge told a town in Pennsylvania what they CAN
NOT do to control their own city and crime. I need to find out where to
write, to tell the cops in that town to DEPUTIZE everyone on their side and
kick some fucking ass. They need to drag such judges out and HANG THEM.
And I'm also sick of the ACLU using the laws of this country to FUCK UP the
laws of this country.

It's amazing. It reminds me of what Stalin said - as an addition to Lenin
who based it on Marx. That if you deliberately INCREASE the forces of
conflict to the end point, you eventually END the conflict. Yeah, I know
how it ends. One side ends up in a mass grave - and I'm personally at the
point where I'd cheer such a thing.

After all, it took radical judges ruling from the bench to FUCK UP enough
people's lives enough times, for them to abandon their laid back or even
non-religious ways and JOIN UP with evangelicals to become a real force of
real CLOUT in this country. The left pushed this into existence - and I saw
it all happen! I have to LAUGH, except that the total result of all of it
is miserable. Did they do this deliberately, or were they THAT STUPID?

Post by the 2nd coming of christ
--
``Could it be that ... political theater is being staged, very much like
the wrestling matches on TV, with the so-called neoconservatives and their
so-called enemies, such as Pat Buchanan, loudly making public statements
intended to convince the opponents of US foreign policy actions that these
actions are the fault of 'the Jews'?'' --Jared Israel/Emperor's Clothes

[9]

Post by the 2nd coming of christ
are you saying that you can, now?

I am poster 9. I guess I didn't articulate my post very well. :-P

But the example I was giving was the self-styled Satanist type (or
devil worshipper but they still like to say they are Satanists) who is
NOT a member of the CoS. True Satanists or CoS members do not use or
promote the use of illegal drugs.

Please don't try to twist my words and pin drug use or any other such
nonsense on the CoS. :-(

Many get confused with the terms Satanist because they think that it is
an all-inclusive term including CoS members. That is not true.

The CoS is the first above ground CABAL that has used this term while
others like to borrow and corrupt it. These devil worshippers are also
the same ones who create denominationalism in Satanism where there is
none. In my opinion, they should take their denominationalism and pin
it to their devil worship and not onto Satanism.

Satanist = CoS members

devil worshippers = those who deify and worship Satan

There is no such thing "LaVeyan Satanism" as this implies that Satanism
is grouped in with all of the other devil worshipping religions.
Satanism is its own seperate and unique religion and is not devil
worship. Devil worshippers created this "LaVeyan Satanism" and acted
like the CoS is just another "church" on their Satanic team. Satanists
are NOT huddlers or good team players. ;-P Denominationalism is for
churches and the CoS is not a church because it is a CABAL.

TRUTH: The CoS hates the devil worshipper's belief systems and they do
not feel you are their so-called brothers in Satan like christians say
brothers in christ. They do not want to be placed into the devil
worshipping category and those who place them their are idiots who cant
seem to grasp that The Satanic Bible is against worshipping the
christian Devil.

Satanists do not beg and grovel to some big slot machine in the sky.
They go out and get what they want by working for it. Satanists would
be considered the hard working and successful types in life and not the
devil worshipping hippie who thinks the world owes them everything.
They are go-getters and not ring around the rosie pouty and oppressed
pagans.

The CoS is NOT on anyone's religious team.

From the CoS's perspective, there are devil worshippers and Satanists.
Devil worshippers (like the one I used in my example) are NOT Satanists
as defined by The Satanic Bible and from the CoS's perspective. If you
can't understand this then you will never get it.

Most (not all and MAYBE some) devil worshippers are those who advocate
drug use or various forms of illegal activity. As far as any national
conspiracies of devil worshippers wanting to eat children and looking
for your kittens to skin alive, this type of hysteria was disproved by
an FBI report in the past years.

The ones who have committed these types of christian influenced crimes
are usually of the ex-christian trailer trash variety. You know, the
crazy nut who sits around and carves pot leafs and pentagrams into his
arm with a knife while he is stoned out of his mind and has that
UN-READ copy of The Satanic Bible sitting next to him.

Satanists ARE law-abiding citizens who, with strong conviction, uphold
and abide by the laws of the land.

They are also ladies and gentlemen (Joking, they are the Men in Black
and not shitdisturbing trailer trash) and go-getters who are movers and
shakers of the world by just existing.

One is not converted or receives a title to become a Satanist.

One is either born a Satanist or not.

Do you disagree?

Not speaking to poster, if so then you have your answer and you should
adopt a religion or philosophy that best suits you and stop wasting
your time on trying to debunk and attack the CoS and stop bitching and
moaning about their dogma. Everyone hates a whiner and complainer.

Finally, why don't you send an email to CoS administration and ask them
what their policy on drug use is and then you will know for yourself.
Ask them if one can use drugs and join and see how they reply.

You can also state your concerns or post your questions on the LTTD
messageboard.

Note: This post may or may not reflect the views of the CoS. Poster
does not claim to be a CoS representative and these are only the
opinions of the poster. I suggest reading The Satanic Bible or
visiting www.churchofsatan.com for further information.

[the 2nd coming of christ]

Post by 9
Finally, why don't you send an email to CoS administration and ask them
what their policy on drug use is and then you will know for yourself.
Ask them if one can use drugs and join and see how they reply.

i don't care what the policy is, but don't ridicule christian
churches for being against drugs when you do the same shit. it's
called the pot calling the kettle black...

you didn't have to get all elaborate and write a 1000 word essay
on a simple question... yes or no would have sufficed...

[9]

Post by the 2nd coming of christ
but don't ridicule christian
churches for being against drugs

Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

You are right in saying that we should not ridicule anyone's anti-drug
stance. It wasn't my intent to attack their "anti-drug stance" even
though it may have sounded that way. I didn't think so but Opps! :-0
:-P

For your information (or you can BELIEVE what you want), The CoS does
not allow those with a criminal backgrounds (felons or jailable crimes)
or children to join.

If any such activity is discovered then this is grounds for
excommunication as I have stated before.

How do christian churches or any church know what their members do in
private until such behavior is discovered? Unfortunately, if know one
is telling then it may go on until they are caught by the law.

I do know that you are expected to send in a copy of your driver's
license before joining the CoS (see website) to verify age. This is
way more than other churches do. who is to say that they dont run a
background check on you?

Anyone on here who calls their self a Satanist and supports the
aforementioned activity is a LIAR and can NOT be trusted.

Members like this should be reported to CoS administration for
excommunication, immediatley, IF they CLAIM to be a member of the CoS
and participate in such activity.

Note: These are the un-official views of the poster and may or may not
reflect the views of the CoS.

[the 2nd coming of christ]

ok, thanks for the clarification... i don't think i could join
because i believe my mind is mine to be altered any which way i
choose, (please note: this does not mean that i do anything
illegal). i'm simply stating that i could not handle some overseer
or elder or whatever telling me what i can do or can't with my own
mind and body... those are sacred to me, and i'm not letting
anyone other than my higher self have authority over them...

i don't mean to start a huge debate over what is right for your
organization or for your members. these are just my personal views
for me and no one else. i don't think too many people out there
are in a position to be altering their mind due to immaturity or
psychological problems or what have you... but if someone has a
healthy mind and body, then what they do in private (and is not
interfering with anyone else) should be nobody else's business...

octinomos

Post by 9

Post by the 2nd coming of christ
but don't ridicule christian
churches for being against drugs

Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
You are right in saying that we should not ridicule anyone's anti-drug
stance. It wasn't my intent to attack their "anti-drug stance" even
though it may have sounded that way. I didn't think so but Opps! :-0
:-P
For your information (or you can BELIEVE what you want), The CoS does
not allow those with a criminal backgrounds (felons or jailable crimes)
or children to join.
If any such activity is discovered then this is grounds for
excommunication as I have stated before.
How do christian churches or any church know what their members do in
private until such behavior is discovered? Unfortunately, if know one
is telling then it may go on until they are caught by the law.
I do know that you are expected to send in a copy of your driver's
license before joining the CoS (see website) to verify age. This is
way more than other churches do. who is to say that they dont run a
background check on you?
Anyone on here who calls their self a Satanist and supports the
aforementioned activity is a LIAR and can NOT be trusted.
Members like this should be reported to CoS administration for
excommunication, immediatley, IF they CLAIM to be a member of the CoS
and participate in such activity.
Note: These are the un-official views of the poster and may or may not
reflect the views of the CoS.

[9]

Post by the 2nd coming of christ
i don't think i could join
because i believe my mind is mine to be altered any which way i
choose

Your honesty places you one step above others I have listened to. ;-)

If you open the pages of The Satanic Bible and you don't see your Self
in those pages then Satanism is not for you.

But there are those not like you who will find disagreement with CoS
and think the CoS is going to change to make them happy. Only an
asshole would expect that...

Then you have those who make up lies and stories because they just
can't accept that the CoS uses the title Satanist and doesn't fit into
the christian stereotype of what a Satanist is "supposed" be or act
like. They get bored, can't accept these facts and then make up lies
or only focus on the Satanic trappings or aesthetics of Satanism and
miss the entire point of the philosophy.

This goes back to the difference between Satanists and devil
worshippers that I mentioned.

I think those who make such attacks are wasting time and being
unreasonable. They should just move on and do their "own thing"
instead of trying to attack or force their views on the CoS.

Obviously, these ranting and raving howling monkey types fit the
definition of "not having a life". They also wear a bad guy badge
acting like they are more evil than the uptight CoS members or
something silly like that. :-P

I, personally, don't think Satanism is strict at all unless you are
wanting to do something illegal. The only reason most gripe is because
they want to do something illegal and still think they can remain a
member. Illegal activity is simply not compatible with this religion.
If you can't accept this then Satanism is not for you.

They are not there to tell you what to do or how to live your life.
Your life is your responsibility. Its your responsibility to be a
Satanist. There is no Satanism For Dummies books or Satanism 101
classes. Like Anton Szandor LaVey has stated, "Satanism demands STUDY
and [!]NOT WORSHIP[!]."

If you are compatible with Satanism then you should not feel like
anyone is telling you what to do or how to live your life.

If you feel they are trying to tell you what to do then it could be
because you are not a Satanist and have not found yourself in the pages
of The Satanic Bible.

You either agree with Satanism (as defined in The Satanic Bible) or you
don't. That simple.

You SHOULD do what you feel is best for you. :-)

Thank you for being honest!

Take care.