Understanding The Rules And Tenets Of Modern Satanism
Modern organized Satanism is primarily defined by two major non-theistic organizations—The Satanic Temple (TST) and the Church of Satan (CoS)—which outline distinct philosophical frameworks, codes of conduct, and guiding principles rather than adherence to a supernatural deity. While popular culture often associates Satanism with medieval folklore, horror tropes, or devil worship, contemporary institutional Satanism functions as a secular, humanistic, and individualistic philosophy. Examining the rules and tenets of modern Satanism requires a clear understanding of its foundational texts, organizational structures, and ethical boundaries as defined by its primary architects.
Introduction to Modern Satanic Organizations and Philosophy
To understand the rules of Satanism, one must first recognize that Satanism is not a monolith. The landscape is broadly divided into two major branches that possess fundamentally different approaches to ethics, ritual, and philosophy: The Church of Satan and The Satanic Temple.
The Church of Satan was founded in 1966 by Anton Szandor LaVey. It is an individualistic, objectivist-leaning philosophy that embraces indulgence, psychological self-preservation, and a rejection of egalitarian conformity. LaVey codified his philosophy in The Satanic Bible (1969), which outlines the Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth and the Nine Satanic Sins. These guidelines serve as a practical handbook for personal interaction, self-discipline, and social navigation.
Conversely, The Satanic Temple (TST), founded in 2013 by Lucien Greaves and Malcolm Jarry, is a politically active, non-theistic religious organization that promotes secularism, bodily autonomy, and rationalism. Rather than LaVeyan individualism, TST operates under the Seven Fundamental Tenets, which emphasize compassion, wisdom, and justice.
Neither organization believes in a literal, supernatural Satan. Instead, Satan is utilized as a literary archetype representing the ultimate rebel against tyranny, champion of personal autonomy, and seeker of knowledge. Consequently, the "rules" of Satanism are not commandments handed down by a divine authority, but rather voluntary codes of ethics, pragmatic guides for interpersonal behavior, and philosophical boundaries designed to foster individual sovereignty.
The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth
Authored by Anton LaVey, the Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth are primarily focused on social etiquette, reciprocal behavior, and mutual respect. LaVey designed these rules to prevent practitioners from being taken advantage of by others and to encourage honest, direct communication. They represent a transactional approach to human relationships: treat others as they treat you, protect your personal space, and avoid inflicting unwanted advances.
Interpersonal Conduct and Boundaries
The first few rules address basic respect and the handling of unsolicited behavior. LaVey explicitly cautioned against giving opinions or advice unless asked, and warned followers never to tell troubles to others unless they are certain the listener wants to hear them. This emphasizes self-reliance and emotional independence.
Furthermore, the rules mandate that when entering another's territory, one must show respect or else do not go there. If a guest in one's lair annoys a practitioner, they are to be treated cruelly and without mercy. This strict boundary enforcement highlights the defensive nature of LaVeyan ethics; Satanism does not advocate for turning the other cheek.
Self-Control and Accountability
Other rules focus on personal accountability and the avoidance of social taboos. For instance, LaVey warned against making sexual advances unless given a mating signal, and cautioned against taking anything that does not belong to one unless it is a burden to the other person and they cry out to be relieved.
The rules also address the acknowledgment of the power and effects of magic and ritual, as well as the necessity of acknowledging one's successes. If a practitioner denies the power of magic after employing it to successful ends, they risk losing everything they have gained. Overall, the Eleven Satanic Rules function as a pragmatic social contract for members of the Church of Satan, prioritizing consent, clear boundaries, and personal dignity.
The Satanic Bible: A Guide to Deceit and Wisdom | Spiritual satanism ...
The Nine Satanic Sins
Complementing the Rules of the Earth, the Nine Satanic Sins identify the traits and behaviors that LaVey considered most detrimental to a Satanist's intellectual and personal development. These sins serve as philosophical warnings rather than spiritual transgressions, highlighting intellectual stagnation, conformity, and lack of self-awareness.
| Sin | Description | Philosophical Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Stupidity | The top sin; lack of perspective and failure to comprehend situations. | Hinderance to survival and self-determination; the root of all other failings. |
| Pretentiousness | Empty posturing and acting without regard for practical capability. | Promotes false pride and distracts from genuine achievement and competence. |
| Solipsism | Expecting others to react with the same consideration and sensibilities as oneself. | Leads to disappointment and an inability to understand alien viewpoints. |
| Self-Deception | Lying to oneself about one's standing, motivations, or capabilities. | Destroys objectivity and prevents personal growth and adaptation. |
| Herd Conformity | Submerging one's individual will to accommodate a collective group or trend. | Undermines individual sovereignty and intellectual freedom. |
| Lack of Perspective | Forgetting historical context and the relative importance of current events. | Generates misplaced outrage and distorts judgment. |
| Forgetfulness of Past Orthodoxies | Falling for rebranded dogmas presented as novel ideas. | Traps individuals in cyclical historical errors and manipulation. |
| Counterproductive Pride | Pride that does not serve the self and results in unnecessary difficulty. | Obstacle to admitting mistakes and correcting course. |
| Lack of Aesthetics | Inability to appreciate balance, beauty, and sensory harmony. | Diminishes the quality of life and severs connection to meaningful experience. |
Avoiding these sins requires continuous self-evaluation, critical thinking, and emotional maturity. LaVey argued that stupidity is the most dangerous failing because it is socially reinforced by mass culture, whereas a Satanist must strive for intellectual independence and clarity.
The Seven Fundamental Tenets of The Satanic Temple
While the Church of Satan focuses on individualistic libertarianism and psychological self-preservation, The Satanic Temple emphasizes public advocacy, social justice, and scientific rationalism. Codified in the Seven Fundamental Tenets, these principles guide the public campaigns and moral framework of TST members worldwide.
Compassion, Wisdom, and Justice
The first tenet states that one should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason. This grounds moral action not in divine command, but in rational empathy and biological connectedness. The second tenet establishes that the struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions. This encourages civil disobedience and systemic critique when laws fail to serve ethical ends.
Bodily Autonomy and Scientific Inquiry
One of the most prominent aspects of TST's framework is the third tenet, which asserts that one's body is inviolable, subject to one's own will alone. This principle has served as the philosophical foundation for TST's legal challenges regarding reproductive rights and religious exemptions from certain state regulations.
The fourth tenet protects the freedoms of others, including the freedom to offend, explicitly stating that one's freedoms should not be infringed upon by arbitrary rules. The fifth tenet anchors beliefs in scientific understanding, declaring that beliefs should conform to our best scientific understanding of the world, and that we should never distort scientific facts to fit our beliefs.
Compromise and Continuous Improvement
The final two tenets focus on personal fallibility and the pursuit of noble ideas. Tenet six acknowledges that people make mistakes and that one should take active steps to rectify them and make amends where harm has been done. Tenet seven summarizes the philosophical spirit of the movement: every tenet is a guiding principle designed to inspire nobility in action and thought, emphasizing that the spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written word.
Comparative Analysis: Church of Satan vs. The Satanic Temple
To fully grasp the scope of rules within modern Satanism, it is essential to compare how these two major organizations handle ethics, authority, and membership. They operate with distinct operational models and philosophical priorities.
| Feature | Church of Satan (CoS) | The Satanic Temple (TST) |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Year | 1966 | 2013 |
| Primary Founder | Anton Szandor LaVey | Lucien Greaves and Malcolm Jarry |
| Core Texts | The Satanic Bible | Seven Fundamental Tenets |
| Philosophical Stance | Individualism, Social Darwinism | Secular Humanism, Social Justice |
| Sturn-Und-Drang View | Ritual as psychodrama | Campaigns, legal activism |
| Membership Approach | Selective, hierarchical | Open, decentralized |
This structural and philosophical divergence means that a practitioner aligned with the Church of Satan views rules as a tool for personal strength and defensive boundaries, whereas a member of The Satanic Temple views tenets as a call to public activism and rational, empathetic engagement with society.
Practical Application and Common Misconceptions
Navigating modern Satanism requires dispelling persistent myths and understanding how these philosophical rules manifest in daily life. Misconceptions often stem from sensationalized media representations or confusion between fictional depictions of devil worship and actual philosophical tenets.
Clarifying the Myth of Harm and Malice
Neither the Church of Satan nor The Satanic Temple promotes illegal acts, harm against children, animal sacrifice, or malicious behavior. In fact, LaVeyan rules explicitly prohibit harming children or non-human animals, except in self-defense. TST tenets strictly emphasize compassion, empathy, and bodily autonomy. Satanic philosophy places heavy emphasis on personal responsibility; individuals are held entirely accountable for their actions under civil and criminal law.
Applying Satanic Ethics in Daily Life
Practicing Satanism involves cultivating critical thinking, rejecting unearned authority, and maintaining personal boundaries. Whether through the self-protective prudence of LaVey's Eleven Rules or the empathetic justice of TST's Seven Tenets, adherents utilize these frameworks to navigate professional, social, and personal challenges without relying on supernatural validation or religious dogma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there strict rules to become a Satanist?
Becoming a Satanist generally depends on the organization. The Church of Satan offers formal registration for a fee, but considers anyone who naturally aligns with the principles in The Satanic Bible to be a Satanist. The Satanic Temple allows individuals to register as members online by agreeing to uphold their Seven Fundamental Tenets. In both cases, there are no mandatory dogmatic rituals required to hold the identity.
Do Satanists worship Satan or the devil?
No. Modern organized Satanism is non-theistic. Adherents do not believe in a literal, supernatural devil, demons, or God. Satan is utilized strictly as a symbolic archetype representing rebellion against tyranny, individualism, free inquiry, and personal sovereignty.
What is the difference between Anton LaVey’s philosophy and The Satanic Temple?
Anton LaVey’s philosophy (LaVeyan Satanism) focuses on individualism, social Darwinism, personal indulgence, and ritual magic as psychodrama. The Satanic Temple is a secular, humanistic organization focused on political activism, reproductive rights, separation of church and state, and social justice grounded in rationalism.
Can Satanists break the law according to their rules?
No. Both major branches of Satanism expect their members to obey local, state, and national laws. Satanic philosophy emphasizes personal accountability, meaning that individuals are entirely responsible for the legal and social consequences of their actions.
How do Satanists view morality without a divine code?
Satanic morality is derived from human reason, empathy, enlightened self-interest, and social contracts. Rather than obeying divine commandments out of fear of punishment or hope for reward, Satanists argue that ethical behavior stems naturally from recognizing the autonomy and mutual needs of conscious beings.
Conclusion and Next Actions
Modern Satanism provides a coherent, secular framework for individuals seeking autonomy, personal responsibility, and critical inquiry. Whether exploring the self-protective boundaries of the Church of Satan or engaging in the activist-driven humanism of The Satanic Temple, understanding these rules requires looking past sensationalized myths to examine the underlying philosophies. For those interested in further study, examining original source material such as The Satanic Bible or reviewing the official publications of The Satanic Temple offers a direct and accurate view of contemporary Satanic thought.
