.
Apr. 15, 2002
� For years, people have asked Church of Satan
representatives, "Well, okay - your philosophy is based on indulgence of
human instincts but do you have sins like any other religion?" Our answer
has always been "No". But the time has come to amend that response. We have
grown steadily over the past 21 years and find that it is appropriate to
have some clear guidelines on, not only what we strive for,but also what
we work to avoid - what we disapprove of. The difference is where other religions
develop sins that people can't avoid, we consider a number of things "sinful"
that people could avoid if they worked a little.�
- Stupidity
-- The top of the list for Satanic Sins. The Cardinal Sin of Satanism.
It's too bad that stupidity isn't painful. Ignorance is one thing, but our
society thrives increasingly on stupidity. It depends on people going along
with whatever they are told. The media promotes a cultivated stupidity as
a posture that is not only acceptable but laudable. Satanists must learn
to see through the tricks and cannot afford to be stupid.
.
- Pretentiousness
-- Empty posturing can be most irritating and isn't applying the cardinal
rules of Lesser Magic. On equal footing with stupidity for what keeps the
money in circulation these days. Everyone's made to feel like a big shot,
whether they can come up with the goods or not.
.
- Solipsism
-- Can be very dangerous for Satanists. Projecting your reactions, responses
and sensibilities onto someone who is probably far less attuned than you are.
It is the mistake of expecting people to give you the same consideration,
courtesy and respect that you naturally give them. They won't. Instead, Satanists
must strive to apply the dictum of "Do unto others as they do unto you." It's
work for most of us and requires constant vigilance lest you slip into a
comfortable illusion of everyone being like you. As has been said, certain
utopias would be ideal in a nation of philosophers, but unfortunately (or
perhaps fortunately, from a Machiavellian standpoint) we are far from that
point.
.
- Self-deceit
-- It's in the Nine Satanic Statements but deserves to be repeated here.
Another cardinal sin. We must not pay homage to any of the sacred cows presented
to us, including the roles we are expected to play ourselves. The only time
self-deceit should be entered into is when it's fun, and with awareness. But
then, it's not self-deceit!
.
- Herd Conformity
-- That's obvious from a Satanic stance. It's all right to conform toa
person's wishes, if it ultimately benefits you. But only fools follow along
with the herd, letting an impersonal entity dictate to you. The key is to
choose a master wisely instead of being enslaved by the whims of the many.
.
- Lack of Perspective
-- Again, this one can lead to a lot of pain for a Satanist. You must never
lose sight of who and what you are, and what a threat you can be, by your
very existence. We are making history right now, every day. Always keep the
wider historical and social picture in mind. That is an important key to both
Lesser and Greater Magic. See the patterns and fit things together as you
want the pieces to fall into place. Do not be swayed by herd constraints --
know that you are working on another level entirely from the rest of the world.
.
- Forgetfulness of Past
Orthodoxies -- Be aware that this is one of the keys to brainwashing
people into accepting something "new" and "different," when in reality it's
something that was once widely accepted but is now presented in a new package.
We are expected to rave about the genius of the "creator" and forget the original.
This makes for a disposable society.
.
- Counterproductive Pride
-- That first word is important. Pride is great up to the point you begin
to throw out the baby with the bathwater. The rule of Satanism is: if it works
for you, great. When it stops working for you, when you've painted yourself
into a corner and the only way out is to say, "I'm sorry, I made a mistake,
I wish we could compromise somehow," then do it.
.
- Lack of Aesthetics
-- This is the physical application of the Balance Factor. Aesthetics is
important in Lesser Magic and should be cultivated. It is obvious that no
one can collect any money off classical standards of beauty and form most
of the time so they are discouraged in a consumer society, but "an eye" for
for beauty, for balance, is an essential Satanic tool and must be applied
for greatest magical effectiveness. It's not what's supposed to be pleasing
-- it's what is. Aesthetics is a personal thing, reflective of one's own nature,
but there are universally pleasing and harmonious configurations that should
not be denied.�
� Anton Szandor LaVey, 1987
c.e.
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