The
Nine Satanic Sins
by Anton Szandor LaVey �1987
- 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! 5. Herd Conformity�That�s obvious from a
Satanic stance. It�s all right to conform to a 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.