It seems like it's easy to misinterpret what they stand for, given the baggage that the word "Satan" carries with it.
Why did he choose "The Church of Satan," a supernatural entity, when the group is made up of atheists?
2007-02-19 15:18:13 · 14 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
LeVey was a carny. He understood that by calling his group The Church of Satan, he would get the attention that he so greatly desired. It was actually a very wise choice. It is definitely attention grabbing, and it helps to illustrate the fact that they are the antithesis of the christian faith.
Like anything, approaching his particular version of Satanism requires an open and critical mind, as well as a sense of humor. The first 3 sections of the Satanic Bible tend to be philosophical indictments of organized religion. It then takes an odd turn into a stylized version of pagan magic (ironic in that they invoke the names of gods for effect, yet claim to not believe in them). It appears that, being a product of the 60s and the height of new age, he was attempting a parallel of certain eastern ways of thought: atheism, with a spiritual slant. Instead, IMO, it undermines the message that they were trying to get across.
As I said before, the name was chosen to show themselves as the antithesis of christianity, something that LeVey only saw as hypocrasy. Where christians are taught to abstain from the pleasures of this world, as part of a path to a promised afterlife; Satanists are taught to indulge in the pleasures of this world (to whatever degree one desires), providing they don't infringe on anothers free will to do the same. They teach revenge instead of "turning the other cheek". They embrace the concept of only loving those that they deem worthy, because loving everyone equally erodes the value of love.
2007-02-19 15:33:34 · answer #1 · answered by Bill K Atheist Goodfella 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think he meant to use Satan as a Christian adversary, even though he meant to? Like the word Satan has an origin, at least we have an idea of its origin for example in one religion Sat means "being" and Tan means "becoming" (Sat/Tan Satanism). I'm saying that Satan has other meanings other than the Christian devil, it's just that a lot of people don't know that. Oh, and Satan sort of represents atheism in a way.
So I think that LaVey named his group Satanists probably as a "shock factor" to attract people to it.
2007-02-19 23:26:44 · answer #2 · answered by Death.Note.fan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he chose it very well.
Its not a reprosentation of Satan as supernatural being, but rather a beast, and man being a beast also. Satan reprosenting the material world, and all the sins which bring pleasure (also pain) in this life.
The Satanic Bible he wrote, explains the use of Satan as a metaphore, it does lead to misintrepretation, but if people start saying "Modern Satanists" worship satan, then you know they dont know what their talking about.
2007-02-20 09:44:34 · answer #3 · answered by Occult NZ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've thought of that too. It would probably be a lot more popular and wouldn't have such a bad reputation if it had a different name. It's called the Church of Satan because Satanism is based on Satan.
2007-02-19 23:21:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I believe so. I think the momentary "Gotcha!" against the Christians is outweighed by the time that's wasted explaining that their philosophy doesn't worship the Christian Satan.
2007-02-19 23:22:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No it was very wise. From a promotional point of view. The Christians love it. Much better than being called Atheists.
2007-02-19 23:23:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, I think he was after the stigma. Only a moron would assume that "Satanism" would carry no baggage.
2007-02-19 23:20:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
because he wanted to scare the Christans (he did) and he wanted a name that screamed rebel (i truly respect the guy but i think he was a little insane in a good way) im not an expert but that abought what i think he did it for
2007-02-19 23:30:17 · answer #8 · answered by cthulhu will raise 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was just a marketing ploy. LaVey was a marketing genius.
2007-02-19 23:26:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It shows they don't fear religion's superstitions and it's a sharp jab at those with the superstition with an added shock value.
2007-02-19 23:20:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋