Suggested reading (rituals, church, bible, Satanist, organization)

[Mystic-als]

I would like to know from the majority of you what should I read or do to get to know 1. what is required of me to become a satanist
2. what rituals are accepted as part of satanism in general
3. Who are the religeous heads
etc
basically a starter pack for people who aren't in a place where they can just ask someone.

[Ðanisty]

This question is much harder to answer than you'd imagine. There are so many different types of Satanists out there. I would suggest than anyone who's curious should read The Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey. That will give you a basis at least, but finding out about those who don't consider themselves CoS Satanists, can get a bit trickier. The idea behind Satanism is to be an individual and as such, a lot of people have essentially taken LaVey's ideas and run with them. I'm not sure who is in charge of the CoS anymore, but I have a strong feeling that they aren't particularly good leaders. As of late, the CoS has been picking up what I would call less than quality members. I've basically lost respect for the organization since LaVey died. You may want to pick up The Satanic Witch if you are more interested in rituals and such. His concepts are, what I would call, outdated but it's still interesting reading.

[Mujahid Mohammed]

Originally Posted by Ðanisty

This question is much harder to answer than you'd imagine. There are so many different types of Satanists out there. I would suggest than anyone who's curious should read The Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey. That will give you a basis at least, but finding out about those who don't consider themselves CoS Satanists, can get a bit trickier. The idea behind Satanism is to be an individual and as such, a lot of people have essentially taken LaVey's ideas and run with them. I'm not sure who is in charge of the CoS anymore, but I have a strong feeling that they aren't particularly good leaders. As of late, the CoS has been picking up what I would call less than quality members. I've basically lost respect for the organization since LaVey died. You may want to pick up The Satanic Witch if you are more interested in rituals and such. His concepts are, what I would call, outdated but it's still interesting reading.

i read his daughter took over

[Mystic-als]

Was Anton LaVey South African? I heard that somewhere.

[Ðanisty]

I honestly have no idea. There are so many illusions surrounding LaVey that I stopped bothering to figure it all out. He obviously tried to keep himself mysterious and I think that's fine.

[Mystic-als]

I agree. It doesn't really make too much difference.
It was him that ordained Marilyn Manson wasn't it?

[lamplighter]

Blah! Marilyn Manson is just an atention whore. If he became a satanist, it was purely to be controversial.

[IanAlmighty]

Why are all of you so incredibly misinformed?
Lavey's daughter was an ingrate and is known for spreading lies about him after his death. She has little to do with the COS.
Marilyn Manson is no longer in the Church of Satan, but he was good friends with Anton Lavey.

Ugh...
Okay, first off, you should learn about Satanism BEFORE you decide to be one, not the other way around.
As for readings, anything by Anton Lavey or Frederich Nietzche.
Really, anything at all by either of them.

[Ðanisty]

I know that his daughter had said a lot of crap about him after his death. I stopped following the activities of the COS at that time. What I do know is that the vast majority of COS members I've met that have joined since LaVey's death have no idea what they're doing. I have nothing but respect for LaVey but what has come after his passing is a joke, in my opinion.

I think the original question was posed because the poster wanted to learn about Satanism.

[IanAlmighty]

Originally Posted by Ðanisty

I think the original question was posed because the poster wanted to learn about Satanism.

The way the initial post was phrased, it sounded like "What do I have to do to be a Satanist?"
That's entirely the wrong attitude for approaching Satanism.