Core Tenets and Philosophies

For those who have yet to study this literature, there are three sets of brief guidelines issued over the years by the Church and authored by LaVey, which can give the uninitiated a capsulized version of Satanic philosophy. The first are the “Nine Satanic Statements” which open The Satanic Bible and give a firm foundation for the Satanist.

The next statements, “The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth”, were written at about the same time, but were then considered too frank and brutal for general release and issued only to the membership. Here is decreed the “Lex Satanicus,” a law of the jungle for social interaction.

Since we have been issuing statements of what we are seeking, it was considered time to make a list of behaviors that we wish to see avoided in the Satanic community. Satanists acknowledge that we are human and work towards perfection, but can sometimes fall into negative patterns of action. Thus was born the list of The “Nine Satanic Sins”, guidelines for what Satanists consider to be non-productive behavior to be recognized and eliminated from one’s daily existence.

Magus Peter H. Gilmore, from A New Age: Essays on current Religious Beliefs and Practices (© 1992)

The Nine Satanic Statements

1. Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence!
2. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams!
3. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit!
4. Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates!
5. Satan represents vengeance instead of turning the other cheek!
6. Satan represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for psychic vampires!
7. Satan represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his “divine spiritual and intellectual development,” has become the most vicious animal of all!
8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification!
9. Satan has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as He has kept it in business all these years!

As found in The Satanic Bible by Anton Szandor LaVey (© 1969) on page 25.

The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth

1. Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.
2. Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure they want to hear them.
3. When in another’s lair, show him respect or else do not go there.
4. If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy.
5. Do not make sexual advances unless you are given the mating signal.
6. Do not take that which does not belong to you unless it is a burden to the other person and he cries out to be relieved.
7. Acknowledge the power of magic if you have employed it successfully to obtain your desires. If you deny the power of magic after having called upon it with success, you will lose all you have obtained.
8. Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself.
9. Do not harm little children.
10. Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food.
11. When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.

The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth originally appeared in an issue of Letters From the Devil, a newsletter ran by Anton Szandor LaVey, in 1969. The Church of Satan website gives the year as 1967.

The Nine Satanic Sins

1. Stupidity
   • Satanism emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and intelligence. Stupidity, in this context, refers to willful ignorance and a lack of intellectual curiosity.
2. Pretentiousness
   • This refers to the act of pretending to be something you’re not, often to impress or deceive others. Satanism values authenticity and honesty.
3. Solipsism
   • Solipsism is the belief that one’s own mind is the only thing that exists and that other minds or realities are mere illusions. This sin warns against self-centeredness and a lack of empathy for others.
4. Self-deceit
   • Being honest with oneself is crucial in Satanism. Self-deceit involves deluding oneself about personal qualities or actions.
5. Herd Conformity
   • This sin rejects blindly following social norms and pressures. It encourages individuals to think for themselves and not to conform simply for the sake of fitting in.
6. Lack of Perspective
   • This sin warns against losing sight of the bigger picture and getting caught up in minor details or trivial matters.
7. Forgetfulness of Past Orthodoxies
   • It’s important to remember the lessons of history and not to ignore the mistakes and lessons of the past.
8. Counterproductive Pride
   • While pride is valued in Satanism, excessive and unearned pride can lead to arrogance and negative outcomes.
9. Lack of Aesthetics
   • This sin emphasizes the importance of creating and appreciating beauty in all aspects of life. Neglecting aesthetics can lead to a dull and uninspired existence.

The Nine Satanic Sins were penned by Anton Szandor LaVey in 1987, this list is his original list of “sins” with Grumps’ interpretations.

Be sure to visit The Church Satan website for more information.