The
Nine Satanic Sins
by Anton Szandor LaVey ©1987
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.