Church of Satan - Timeline Event
Founder
Anton LaVey
Time Period
1966
Description
A professional publicist, Anton Szandor LaVey (1930-97) birthed his Church of Satan in 1966 in San Francisco and authored its main text, The Satanic Bible. The Church of Satan is considered the largest of several Satanic religious movements.
The controversial church regards Satan as a spirit, rather than a deity, who "represents love, kindness and respect to those who deserve it." It rejects the Christian concept of the devil and does not believe in heaven or hell.
Its core beliefs include indulgence over abstinence, kindness to those deserving of it and gratification of all desires. Satanism, LaVey said, is essentially a religion of the self.
To join, applicants pay a $200 registration fee and receive an embossed crimson membership card, used to identify themselves to other members. Members are admonished to show respect to each other as the church "functions as a mutual admiration society."
The controversial church regards Satan as a spirit, rather than a deity, who "represents love, kindness and respect to those who deserve it." It rejects the Christian concept of the devil and does not believe in heaven or hell.
Its core beliefs include indulgence over abstinence, kindness to those deserving of it and gratification of all desires. Satanism, LaVey said, is essentially a religion of the self.
To join, applicants pay a $200 registration fee and receive an embossed crimson membership card, used to identify themselves to other members. Members are admonished to show respect to each other as the church "functions as a mutual admiration society."
Interactive Timeline(s)
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Photographs
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Sigil of Baphomet, an official symbol of the Church of Satan- Wikimedia Commons- image by Gustavo89 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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Anton LaVey, wax figure- Flickr- photo by Thomas Hawk (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Book/Journal Source(s)
Benedict, Gerald, 2008. The Watkins Dictionary of Religions and Secular Faiths London: Watkins Publishing.Web Source(s)
http://www.religioustolerance.org/satanis1.htm (Link no longer online) Religious Tolerance website, "The Church of Satan (CoS): Quotes, Overview, Founding, Beliefs"https://www.churchofsatan.com/
Church of Satan website
Web Page Contributor
Sandi DolbeeAffliated with: Former Religion and Ethics Editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune
