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3.22 AVERAGE
3.22 AVERAGE
loved the start and most of its principles, until it started bashing the "ego" (which from what LaVey said I can tell he knew nothing about) and the "white magicians" for being "hypocritical". He states to follow your desires but shames those who lack extreme desire.
That and the "oh by the way in rituals (that are pretty much the same as wiccan/pagan rituals) women have to dress sexually :)" -_-
That and the "oh by the way in rituals (that are pretty much the same as wiccan/pagan rituals) women have to dress sexually :)" -_-
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
contrived if you already consider yourself a god.
Purchased for $5 at a local used bookstore. This is a fascinating read though, contrary to popular opinion, it is not about worshipping Satan. Instead, LaVey espouses an atheistic philosophy, certainly influenced by Nietzsche, that opposes ethical doctrine laid out by Christianity and the Bible. Satanists are encouraged to indulge rather than abstain, question rather than accept, and enjoy rather than avoid the seven deadly sins. Elements of this doctrine often seem nihilistic and self-centered which turns me off. There are, however, some interesting views discussed in the book, particularly through a philosophical lens. The second half of the book is more esoteric and honestly, silly, as it covers magic, ceremony, and invocations. It is fun to read banned/controversial books and this is no exception. You won’t burn in Hell for reading this book in an attempt to better understand the highly misunderstood Church of Satan.
Very juvenile in many respects, but is a fascinating reflection of the time period in which it was written.
I was excited to read this, but the tone of the book was slightly irritating and had the feeling of being talked down to, and currently this doesn't feel like the vibe I want to have in my reading. Planning to pick it up again someday.
medium-paced
I’ve been wanting to read this book for some time because I wanted to know more about the Satanic bible. I had more of an open mind then most people I knew.
I found this a very interesting read! Realism, living in the here and how, and just giving in to your desires! What strong messages!
I found this a very interesting read! Realism, living in the here and how, and just giving in to your desires! What strong messages!
challenging
informative
medium-paced
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About: The book right away agrees that yes, the doctrine could be called humanitarian philosophy, and not satanic religion. But that’s really the point. While it teaches you to be a better person, because it really does, believe you me, it also arms you. It arms you against the religion that likely dominates your surroundings, and finds a way to tell you you’re somehow wrong. It points out all the flaws in Christianity, and thus opposes it openly, acting like a sort of, well, for the lack of better word, adversary. For as long as Christianity stands, telling you that you should be afraid of God’s wrath, and thus should maybe sacrifice him a goat or something, there will stand a satanist, telling you the god on earth will never tell you to fear him, nor will he ever ask you to shed blood, because we’re all gods in our own way, and all life is to be respected, and not harmed.
But this great part is very short, likely, added together, no longer than one fourth or third of the book. The rest is translated Enochian texts, prayers, invocations and such.
Mine: It’s a great book that’ll tell you you need to love yourself, care for yourself, and respect others as much as they respect you. Meaning there’s no other cheek, get rid of toxic people from your life. It tells you that consent matters. It tells you that you’re not to be a dick. It tells you there’s no taboos if everyone consents. And then proceeds on telling you so very much about sex, how it should be free and available for all, how you need to seek what you want in it, fulfillment, and so on. I mean it’s all well and good, but I feel like if you’re not 14, you’ll be rolling your eyes at the overbearing emphasis here.
So, all in all, I’m glad I got this book, and that it showed me what this religion is all about. No, it’s not made to convert you, nor is it written in the biblical style either. It’s a very simple philosophy book, with a little too much of not so interesting stuff. So I give it a 3 out of 5, for while I’m glad I’ve read it, it felt like it was written for way younger people than myself, if you get my drift.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About: The book right away agrees that yes, the doctrine could be called humanitarian philosophy, and not satanic religion. But that’s really the point. While it teaches you to be a better person, because it really does, believe you me, it also arms you. It arms you against the religion that likely dominates your surroundings, and finds a way to tell you you’re somehow wrong. It points out all the flaws in Christianity, and thus opposes it openly, acting like a sort of, well, for the lack of better word, adversary. For as long as Christianity stands, telling you that you should be afraid of God’s wrath, and thus should maybe sacrifice him a goat or something, there will stand a satanist, telling you the god on earth will never tell you to fear him, nor will he ever ask you to shed blood, because we’re all gods in our own way, and all life is to be respected, and not harmed.
But this great part is very short, likely, added together, no longer than one fourth or third of the book. The rest is translated Enochian texts, prayers, invocations and such.
Mine: It’s a great book that’ll tell you you need to love yourself, care for yourself, and respect others as much as they respect you. Meaning there’s no other cheek, get rid of toxic people from your life. It tells you that consent matters. It tells you that you’re not to be a dick. It tells you there’s no taboos if everyone consents. And then proceeds on telling you so very much about sex, how it should be free and available for all, how you need to seek what you want in it, fulfillment, and so on. I mean it’s all well and good, but I feel like if you’re not 14, you’ll be rolling your eyes at the overbearing emphasis here.
So, all in all, I’m glad I got this book, and that it showed me what this religion is all about. No, it’s not made to convert you, nor is it written in the biblical style either. It’s a very simple philosophy book, with a little too much of not so interesting stuff. So I give it a 3 out of 5, for while I’m glad I’ve read it, it felt like it was written for way younger people than myself, if you get my drift.
This is a weird little book. At the beginning there some interesting and super-agreeable passages about doing your thing, embracing your humanity and resisting guilt/shame structures propagated by modern religion. It's not a big departure from realist commonsense. Sort of a self actualization pep-talk/go-where-your-boner-takes-you vibe with some shitting on 'the deluded masses' thrown in. This stuff is written in a sermon-y way that gets a little corny but it's OK. Then the book changes into a guide book for some hokey rituals that are half serious/half tongue in cheek send ups of your everyday religious pageantry. This gets boring. Then the last hundred pages are a bunch of 'Keys'. They're spells or some shit. Written in English and 'Enochian'. Witchy indeed.
Sort of neat. But a fucking tedious read after the first 60 or so pages. Not sold. But not hatin' on satan either I s'pose.
Keep jammin',
Minge
Sort of neat. But a fucking tedious read after the first 60 or so pages. Not sold. But not hatin' on satan either I s'pose.
Keep jammin',
Minge