- Hardcover
- Publisher: Wehman Brothers (Jun 1972)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0685418944
- ISBN-13: 978-0685418949
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (166 customer reviews)
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Amazon.co.uk Review
One might expect The Satanic Bible at least to offer a few prancing demons or a virgin sacrifice, but if you're looking for a tour of the house of horrors, this is the wrong book. Far from a manual for conquering the realms of earth, air, fire and water, The Satanic Bible is Anton LaVey's manifesto of a new religion separate from the "traditional" Judeo-Christian definitions of Satanism. While LaVey rails against the deceit of the Christian church and white magicians, he busily weaves his own deceptions.
The Satanic Bible claims the heritage of a horde of evil deities--Bile', Dagon, Moloch, and Yao Tzin to name a few--but these ancient gods have no coherent connection between each other or to Satanism, except that all have been categorised by Christianity as "evil". Calling on these ancient names like a magician shouting, "Abracadabra", LaVey attempts to shatter the classical depiction of Satanism as a cult of black mass and child sacrifice. As the smoke clears, he leads us through a surprisingly logical argument in favour of a life focused on self-indulgence. The Satanic Bible is less bible and more philosophy (with a few rituals thrown in to keep us entertained), but this philosophy is the backbone of a religion that, until LaVey entered the scene, was merely a myth of the Christian church. It took LaVey, and The Satanic Bible, to turn this myth into a legitimate public religion.--Brian Patterson, Amazon.com --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.
Product Description
Called "The Black Pope" by many of his followers, Anton La Vey began the road to High Priesthood of the Church of Satan when he was only 16 years old and an organ player in a carnival:
""On Saturday night I would see men lusting after halfnaked girls dancing at the carnival, and on Sunday morning when I was playing the organ for tent-show evangelists at the other end of the carnival lot, I would see these same men sitting in the pews with their wives and children, asking God to forgive them and purge them of carnal desires. And the next Saturday night they'd be back at The carnival or some other place of indulgence.
"I knew then that the Christian Church thrives on hypocrisy, and that man's carnal nature will out!""
From that time early in his life his path was clear. Finally, on the last night of April, 1966--"Walpurgisnacht, " the most important festival of the believers in witchcraft--LaVey shaved his head in the tradition of Ancient executioners and announced the formation of The Church Of Satan. He had seen the need for a church that would recapture man's body and his carnal desires as objects of celebration. ""Since worship of fleshly things produces pleasure," he said, "there would then be a temple of glorious indulgence . . ."" --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
It is funny to me .... that people condem something without taking anytime to sit down, with an open mind, and experience something that is a bit different without casting their stones. I am not a satanist, or a christian. If you have to label me label me agnostic.If people took a few minutes from there servant lives and tried to experience life , from both sides then the world would be more understanding. The overall idea is give something a chance like this book....take what you need and move on.
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I liked the book when I first read it. But behind its nice writing style, its spooky language and its dark cover, at the end, what you get is a book that uses the name "Satanism" to gain attention and promote a pseudo-philosophy of egoism.
LaVey very cleverly uses the contradiction within the Christian history and movement to promote his own trash, by explaining how he understands human nature, magic, and so on. The book itself is largely taken from other authors like the peculiar Ragnar Redbeard who wrote Might is Right, so I actually can't see how this book is even credited as an original work of LaVey. It is also beyond me why people believe that this book is an actual work of theistic Satanism, as LaVey clearly states that his movement is atheistic, and they use Satan as a symbol.
In all its mystical atmosphere, Satanism at the end is but another irrational movement or "religion", promoting itself as the true answer.
If you want to read this nonsense, go ahead, but if you want a decent understanding of human nature, go for some known philosophers, or study a bit of psychology.
LaVey very cleverly uses the contradiction within the Christian history and movement to promote his own trash, by explaining how he understands human nature, magic, and so on. The book itself is largely taken from other authors like the peculiar Ragnar Redbeard who wrote Might is Right, so I actually can't see how this book is even credited as an original work of LaVey. It is also beyond me why people believe that this book is an actual work of theistic Satanism, as LaVey clearly states that his movement is atheistic, and they use Satan as a symbol.
In all its mystical atmosphere, Satanism at the end is but another irrational movement or "religion", promoting itself as the true answer.
If you want to read this nonsense, go ahead, but if you want a decent understanding of human nature, go for some known philosophers, or study a bit of psychology.
72 of 88 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The Satanic Bible is without doubt an intriguing, thought-provoking and mind-opening book. Yes the title and its dark cover is sinister and captivating. The name itself will attract people to buy it or get hold of a copy and read it. As stated in the book it has become more popular than the Bible especially amongst college students. Maybe it is a fad or a fashion item to add to one's collection. However take away the Devilish side, the stereotypical horned god that your soul is sold to, and this book will make you redress your existence within this world.
The book is not one long "dig" at the Christian church; it does not tell you to go out and sacrifice a live animal or a young virgin, but puts across a new perspective on the term Satanist from the eyes of the author Anton Szandor LaVey (the founder of the Church of Satan). Look at your life and look at how you do things on a daily basis. Dig deep into your conscience and realise that you often get angry, or depressed, or bitter and resentful, or jealous, or feel good about yourself, and indulgence yourself, and so on, and realise as argues in the book, everyone at some point will commit the seven deadly sins - think hard at why such sins were "invented" by the "white" religionists - after all they are natural human traits. After reading this book I'm afraid to say that you will find it hard not to say you are not a Satanist is part or in full.
Don't buy this book if you think it is a fantasy adventure that will take a Hollywood style approach to what is viewed as the dark side, evil beings, Hell, Leviathan etc. This book analysis life - humanism - and how for far too long people have lived as sheep's, blindly following a faith that is maybe out of date.
Personally I have to partially if not fully perceive myself as a Satanist. I can relate many parts of my life to the theory's put forward in this book. Don't be put off from poor reports about this "novel". Open you mind, your eyes and take heed from what is written. It has already been said in another review, but this will be one of the best books you will ever buy.
If I ever had the chance to meet the author, I wouldn't hesitate to shake his hand and thank him for his enlightenment, his courage to stand up against the grains of moral brain washing that the human race has been subjected to and buried in for over two thousand years.
Note: the author does not condone God, in whatever shape or form you perceive him to be; he merely puts forward notions and theories of the Devil, the dark forces, Satan, Belial, Lucifer etc as a way of enjoying life, freedom, self-empowerment etc.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5 star
I never get bored of it. i always like to have a fresh copy. certain people will have their transparent opinions on this book but it is only for the people out there who are... Read more
Published 5 days ago by Reaper
Oh Dear
Came across this as a friend found it in a charity shop for 50p, I thought 'hmm, interesting', gave it a go. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Eleanora
This horror will grow mild, this darkness light
As a cultural artefact, the very existence of a popularly available "Satanic Bible" is perhaps one of the most powerful indicators of the triumph of liberalism. Read more
Published 19 days ago by Reawakened
Intelligent and Interesting, but also Inconsistent
The Satanic Bible certainly makes for an entertaining read. If nothing else, LaVey was an intelligent and highly talented author and humorist. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Theo
dissapointing trash
this book is everything it promises not to be and the follow up book The Satanic Witch is even more childish!
Published 7 months ago by Ms. L. Mcnally
Interesting read.
I bought this on a bit of a whim just to see what it was all about.
i kind of knew abit about satanism but wanted to know more. Read more
i kind of knew abit about satanism but wanted to know more. Read more
Published 9 months ago by JoNNy_V
"Open Wide The Gates Of Hell!"
The Satanic Bible is the book that turned the quasi-religious, up-its-own-backside, mainstream, Popular Occult world completely on its head - unveiling the entire edifice as simply... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Barry Mac
A True Value-Changer
When one first hears the word 'Satanist' or 'Satanism', the instant thought of this 'man wearing a spiked-choker', and 'sacrificing several men in order to satisfy Satan' appears. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Tom
HAIL SATANAS
I bought this book as an outsider wishing to know more about satanism. I have to say, i am shocked. I had no idea a collective group of pages and written text could have such a... Read more
Published 14 months ago by SamWilliams
Juevenile
This book will effectively convince the reader that they are in some way special, and that being immoral and ignorant leads to a satisfying life. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Verdency
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