|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:26 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:33 pm
Introduction
INDENTThe Satanic Bible was written rather plainly. There are several interviews with The Doctor that clearly indicate that he wrote The Satanic Bible in such a way that it would be incredibly difficult for people to misinterpret anything written within, provided they were able to approach it free of feelings that may cause them to act defensively in response to the content of it.
INDENTChristian, Muslim, Jew, or not, many people will still cringe just a bit at the mention of the word "Satan." In this modern day culture, which could be described as a culture that thrives on herd-mentality, "Satan" carries about a negative connotation. From most of our upbringings, we learn that Satan is either a literal being that exists to tear human beings away from happiness and to force people to do detestable things, that Satan is a name that murders, rapists, and psychos use to justify their acts, or that Satan is a name that immature people will claim to shock and offend both their parents and their peers. The Satanic Bible offers a much different definition of Satan--one that can only hold a negative connotation if it is approached with one.
INDENTAnton Szandor LaVey, AKA "The Doctor," well-known author of The Satanic Bible, purposely began his book on a rather theatrical note, with "The Nine Satanic Statements," and "The Book of Satan." Readers are put to the test unless they choose to start reading from the middle onwards--a rare reading habit for most. Their interpretations of Satan are put to the test. This was a tactic utilized by The Doctor to weed out the "followers" and draw out the "leaders" and independent thinkers. Those who picked up The Satanic Bible to find rules set forth by their hellish leader, Satan himself, were discarded by the chapters following "The Book of Satan," disappointed that there was no Satan, and there were no commands that they could blindly follow. Those who picked it up to be offended inevitably were with "The Nine Satanic Statements" alone. Satanists and potential Satanists are people who were able to bear with both the melodrama and the rational philosophy, taking them both in kind.
INDENTFor this reason, it may be futile and impossible to explain Satanism to a great deal of non-Satanists.
INDENTThe Doctor later devised a list not unlike "The Nine Satanic Sins," called "The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth." They are often both used as tools to attempt to encompass the very philosophy of Satanism, but when using them alone and without explanation, the same people who would have (or have already) taken offense to the first chapter of The Satanic Bible will still carry about their personal interpretations of not only the word "Satan," but the words "cruel," "destroy," "indulge," "viscous," "vengeance," and other such words.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:36 pm
The Nine Satanic Statements
INDENTThe Satanic Statements are not meant to be commands, which is often the first mistake that people make when they get defensive over the content of some of the Statements. This is rather evident with the ninth Satanic Statement, "Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as He has kept it in business all these years!" which states that the Christian Church would likely not still be in business without their beloved scapegoat and common enemy, Satan. This is all but a command, but is, just as the title of the list it belongs to indicates, a statement. Some tend to ignore the phrase that each Statement begins with--"Satan represents." Knowing that, we can continue.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:38 pm
I - Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence!
INDENTThis is the first Satanic Statement. The most common misinterpretation of this is that this statement indicates that any and all Satanists should always over-indulge, and never abstain from anything.
INDENTLike each Statement, this means only what it says. Satan represents indulgence--he always has. Traditionally known to tempt humans into indulgences that the Christian Bible warns against, Satan does not represent abstinence. The statement is correct, he does represent indulgence as opposed to abstinence.
INDENTAnother common misconception of this statement is that indulgence actually means over-indulgence. Indulgence is not synonymous with over-indulgence, just as thinking is not synonymous with over-thinking, doing is not synonymous with over-doing, analyzing is not the same as over-analyzing, and reacting is not over-reacting. It is no more complicated than that.
INDENTThe third error in interpretation with this statement is the idea that saying Satan does not represent abstinence means that no Satanist should ever abstain from anything. Satanism as a religion does indeed encourage indulgence, however, it also encourages abstinence, should it be the more beneficial choice for the individual.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:40 pm
IV - Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates!
INDENTThis is the fourth Satanic statement. The most common misinterpretation of this is that this statement indicates that no Satanist should ever be kind to anyone, ever. Those who misinterpret this statement also like to pair this with a Satanic Rule which will be mentioned later, that involves cruelty.
INDENTAgain, this statement means only what it says. Satanists see love and kindness as rather valuable ideas, and would rather reserve them for those who are worthy of it's value, instead of waste them on people who cannot appreciate their value. Some might take that to mean that "ingrates," as The Doctor put it, are therefore worthy of cruelty and hate, which is very untrue. The statement says one thing, and does not say, nor imply, another. Love and hate, kindness and cruelty... They are not opposites. They are very, very different concepts, indeed, but far from opposite. The real opposite of love, hate, kindness, and cruelty is in reality indifference. If one is to take that one statement implies the opposite, then it is important that they understand what the opposite is.
INDENT"Ingrate" is a word that has a negative connotation in and of itself. It has been speculated that The Doctor meant to call all strangers ingrates, when in all reality, he said nothing about strangers, and only mentioned ingrates. An ingrate... an ungrateful person, can be someone you know very well. Take the following situation for instance:
INDENTJamie and Alex are romantic partners. Jamie is cheating on Alex, however, and is in effect abusing the value of Alex's love. Though it is unhealthy, Alex will continue loving Jamie, despite the fact that Jamie is an ingrate, hoping that someday, if Alex continues to love Jamie, Jamie will return that love. In many cases similar to this, Jamie will probably never return the same feelings Alex gives.
INDENTSome ingrates might be strangers, and some might be rather close. In the example above, if Alex were a Satanist and knew about Jamie's affair, Alex would do what was best for themselves, and leave the ingrate, retracting their love and finding a more worthy person to give it to.
INDENTThis statement is to some extent an opposition to the "Love Thy Neighbor." Indiscriminate love is seen as ingenuine, and does not really exist, because humans are incredibly discriminant, judgmental creatures. Satanism recognizes this, and for this reason, encourages judgmental love, as encompassed in this statement. Love is a precious gift, not a cheaply made pamphlet that one might distribute on the streets, only to have people throw out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:42 pm
V - Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek!
INDENTThis is the fifth Satanic Statement. The most common misinterpretation of this is that this statement indicates that Satanists must always go out of their way to exact revenge. This is almost always paired with a Satanic Rule that involves destruction, which will be partially covered here, and later on as well.
INDENTThis statement is not much unlike the first, "Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence!" After all, vengeance is an indulgence on it's own. Vengeance is not always physical, though in some cases it is. Those who misinterpret this statement are under the impression that all vengeance is physical, and violent. What they fail to realize is that vengeance can be as simple as retorting to an insult.
INDENTThis statement does not mean that one should never turn the other cheek, especially if turning the other cheek would work to their advantage. If one is put down by their boss, but sorely needs their job, it might be better to do so. This statement, like all the others, is not a commandment. It is a statement of what Satan represents, and what Satanism embraces. Where many religions would discourage vengeance, Satanism does not.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:44 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:47 pm
VIII - Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification!
INDENTThis is the eighth Satanic Statement. It's most common misinterpretation is that it is a commandment for everyone to go out and commit some of the most vile sins--such as murder or anything else that may harm another individual.
INDENTAgain, this is a simple statement. It is not a commandment. Satanists would not kill another human being unless that human being directly threatened their own vitality. Satanism encourages the utilization of common sense, and self-advancement as it were. With the current laws set forth in a good deal of the Western world, where Satanism is most active, murdering someone for no reason aside from self-defense would be one of the least sensible things to do, as it would either land them in jail, and waste a great deal of their one and only life, or it would subject the Satanist to the death penalty, which would be very non-beneficial as this is believed to be the one and only life we have, or it would simply halt any material progress the Satanist could possibly make in this world as they would be constantly on the run and/or hiding from the law, and would not do well to make themselves stand out.
INDENTThis statement is more in reference to the Seven Deadly Sins, which are sloth, covetousness, anger, lust, gluttony, envy, and pride. These all lead to physical, mental, and emotional gratification--therefore, Satanism embraces these sins, instead of condemning those who commit them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:48 pm
The Eleven Satanic Rules of Earth
INDENTThe Satanic Rules are indeed meant to be rules, or commands, unlike the Satanic Statements, however, to follow them blindly is not recommended, lest you become a follower rather than a leader or an individual. It's best to take these as simple guidelines instead of rigid commandments that absolutely may not be defied, because in everyday life, there are times when one must use common sense and decide how and when to apply these rules, and how and when to not.
INDENTMany of the Satanic Rules are often better considered as advice on how you should not act, assuming the "you" The Doctor refers to in some of the Rules is not actually you, but is someone else.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:50 pm
IV - If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy.
INDENTThis is the fourth Satanic Rule. Many seem to think that treating someone cruelly and without mercy implies physically torturing them, or over-reacting to someone who does something only slightly annoying. Like any of the Satanic Statements and Rules, there is no hidden meaning behind the words in this Rule. It means what it says. Many make the mistake of ignoring the "annoys you" part of this Rule, and simply take it to be in reference to an innocent house guest. This is often mistakenly combined with the Satanic Statement, "Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates!"
INDENTA lair is a property that belongs to you. A guest is one you willingly invite into that property. This Rule is almost a house guest courtesy lesson. Do not be obnoxious. When a guest is in your home, and is being incredibly annoying, will you put up with it and encourage the behavior, or will you not and discourage the behavior?
INDENTThis Rule by no means indicates that if a house guest is being annoying, you should brutally murder him. It is The Doctors way of saying, "don't put up with any bullshit from a guest in your home." What is "cruel" and "merciless" to one may not be the same for everyone. Sometimes it is cruel enough to simply disclude a house guest from the activities that night, giving them a rather miserable night.
INDENTAs mentioned earlier, however, this is likely a Rule that is better looked at as if "you" does not really refer to "you." In this case, you would be the guest. You are the one who should attempt to not annoy the head of the household, lest you encourage his cruelty.
INDENTIt is not as if this Rule is not utilized by Satanists and non-Satanists alike in today's society. Nuisances at parties and social gatherings are typically either thrown out, or ridiculed, and treated cruelly until they willingly leave. It is not unheard of, and there are of course cases where you might not do well to be cruel to your annoying house guest, especially if they have some significance in your social, occupational, or family life.
INDENTTo combine this with a misconception of the earlier mentioned Satanic statement, "Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates!" is incorrect. Because of the misconception of that Statement, combining it with an already commonly misinterpreted Satanic Rule will only mix everything up. The statement/rule that is invented from combining the two is "Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on people who annoy you, that you should treat cruelly and without mercy." The Statement and the Rule speak about two different subjects--an annoying guest, and an ingrate. They in no way both mean "all people." If the guest is also an ingrate, then it is fine to apply that Satanic Statement to them as well. If the ingrate is also a guest, the same applies, but that is often not a case. Most of the "ingrates" referred to in that Statement are usually all but guests for an evening.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:51 pm
XI - When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.
INDENTThis is the eleventh Satanic Rule, and is often mistakenly paired with both the fourth Satanic Rule, and the fifth Satanic Statement. "If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy." and "Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek!"
INDENTWhere the problem lies is the word "destroy." The word is commonly believed to mean "rub from existence," which, in reference a person, would mean to kill them. That is not the case. Destroy can also mean to thwart. For instance, in the context "the affair destroyed his reputation," the person's reputation was not rubbed from existence--rather, it took a negative blow. Another example is "his gambling addiction destroyed him," meaning that the person in the example was a "ruined" man--someone who had a lot, but lost it all. Satanist will typically destroy a nuisance in that manner, as that is legal, whereas murder is not. Common sense.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:53 pm
Conclusion INDENTAs mentioned earlier, many like to pair this with other concepts in both the Satanic Rules and Statements, twisting it to mean only what they want it to mean in order to take offense to it. This combination somehow creates a nonsensical "Murder anyone who is slightly annoying."
INDENTMany non-Satanists will never be able to entirely grasp the rather plainly stated Satanic Rules and Statements, and perhaps that is for the best. Granted, some will, but most will not. Some will never want to, because there are plenty of people who enjoy taking offense to things.
INDENTAs The Doctor himself said, "There will always be those who misinterpret The Satanic Bible, although it’s presented with as little gobbledygook and Big Thinks as possible. It may be disagreeable, but there’s little to disagree with. If some clowns can misinterpret Alice in Wonderland and Mother Goose, my book doesn’t stand a chance."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
