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For years, people have asked Church of Satan representatives, "Well,
okay -- your philosophy is
based on indulgence of human instincts but do have any sins like other
religions?" Our answer has
always been "No." But the time has come to amend that response. We
have grown steadily over
the past 21 years and find that it is appropriate to have some clearer
guidelines on, not only what
we strive for, but also what we work to avoid -- what we disapprove
of. The difference is where
other religions develop sins that people can't avoid, we consider a
number of things "sinful" that
people could avoid if they worked a little.
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) Preteniousness--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 else who is probably far less attuned that
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
onto 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
viewpoint) we are
from that point.
4) Self-Deciet--It's in the Nine Satanic Statement 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 is when it is
fun, and with awareness. But then, it's not self-deciet!
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 many.
6) Lack of Perspective--Again, this one can lead to alot 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, everyday. 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 the things
together as you want the pieces to fall into place. So not be swayed
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 one of the
keys
to brainwashing people
into accepting something as "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) Conterproductive Pride--The 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. It is important in
Lesser Magic and should be cultivated. It is obvious that no one can
collect any money off it most
of the tome so it si discouraged in a consumer society, but is an essential
Satanic tool and must be
applied for magical effectiveness. It's not what's supposed to be pleasing--it's
what is. Aesthetics is
a highly personal thing, reflective of one's own nature, but there
are universally pleasing and
harmonious configurations that should not be denied.