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Biography Of Anton Szandor Lavey

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Church of Satan Quick Facts Founder: Anton Szandor LaVey LaVey is of Russian and Ukrainian descent Year Founded: April 30, 1966 on Walpurgisnacht Ultimate Concern: The ultimate concern of LaVeyan Satanist is self-preservation. Number of Adherents: As a rule, LaVey doesn't disclose membership figures. "If it's too low, we would be perceived as insignificant, and if it was too high we'd be considered too much of a threat and there would be reason to destroy us. [...] Besides, after 25 years, it would be very difficult to calculate our membership. Members are lifetime members; they don't have to pay any renewal fees every year so we have had a cumulative increase since 1966." Tom Wedge explains this phenomenon in his 1987 book, The Satan Hunter: …show more content…

by Anton Szandor LaVey, who was as the High Priest at that time. The Church foundation is based on LaVey’s teachings and the many books he wrote; such as, The Satanic Bible and The Satanic Rituals and later defined by current leader Peter H.Gilmore in(Gilmore About the Organization **need citation**);“In modern parlance, the Church of Satan may be called a user-driven organization. Members are involved and advanced exactly as their own desires, abilities and accomplishments dictate. Unlike other organizations, this church does not hold services, meetings or activities. The way it works is a“new member comes to the organization, ideally, with his own goals and plans for achieving them; he presents them to us and is directed in the way that would be most mutually beneficial” (Gilmore About the Organization). This church does not care about “putting up a show” as they call it or being visible and accepted in society. They do not enforce rules such as dress code restrictions on what a person may wear or conduct as to how to behave unto the worshipping Satanist. Moreover, Satanists do not believe in supernatural beings, gods, the soul or any form of afterlife (Gilmore Information for Chaplains**need citation**). Therefore, they do not worship Satan also known as the devil or perform any sacrifices as many people may believe that they do. Gilmore (Gilmore Fundamental Beliefs**need citation**) states, “Our position is to be …show more content…

Do not harm little children. Do not kill non-human animals unless you are attacked or for your food. When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him. The Church’s symbol is the Sigil of Baphomet which became associated as the foremost symbol of Satanism in the public and media consciousness after the founding of the Church of Satan and Dr. LaVey’s use of it (Gilmore the history of the Origin of the Sigil of Baphomet:1 **need citation**). MEMBERSHIP The church of Satan does not hold a common service in established buildings as many other churches do, rather it is known by being a cabal where people from all over the world can become members. The church does not even require members to be involved with the church or to attend the church. Gilmore (Hierarchy in the Church of Satan**need citation** ) states, “In fact, no member is required to move beyond Registered Membership”. There is a hierarchy by which the church functions and degrees for the members who desired to be involved in the church. The following is the hierarchy: Registered Member (no degree) Active Member—Satanist (First

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