Affiliation with the Church of Satan
We were established in 1966 c.e. by Anton Szandor LaVey, who declared it the Year One, Anno Satanas, thus opening the floodgates to a revolution designed to smash the hypocrisy and unreason of organized religions and mystical philosophies of either Right or Left-Hand paths. We stand as a formidable threat to those who would halt progress in the name of spirituality and theism of any sort. We are explorers on the untrodden paths of science, human motivation and mystery—all that is most truly occult. Our primary goal is to clearly disseminate the philosophy created by Anton Szandor LaVey to those who have an interest in understanding the truth regarding our beliefs and practices, and to encourage individuals who embrace Satanism to utilize this perspective as a means for enhancing their lives and for leaving a legacy of creativity that demonstrates to human society the potency of our diabolical perspective.
Those who proudly carry our red cards identifying themselves as members have the strength and dedication to implement the tools traditionally associated with Satan: the imagination to confound and confuse, the wisdom to recognize the unseen in our society, the pragmatism of a skeptic, and the passions of a classical Romantic soul.
REGARDING CONTACT WITH NON-MEMBERS
Many people write to the Church of Satan who have read some of our literature but want to further their knowledge through personal contact before they decide to affiliate, or through simple curiosity. It has always been our policy NOT to place non-members in contact with members, as an individual’s membership is held in strictest confidence by the Church of Satan. This does not reflect upon the sincerity of the person making the inquiry, but as realists, we acknowledge that Satanism remains a controversial religion and thus our policy is an important matter of security for our members.
We thus do not maintain any church structures nor are our Central offices open to visitation by the public. It is therefore pointless to ask for an address of a local Church of Satan. Read this essay: The Myth of the “Satanic Community” and other Virtual Delusions to grasp the unique way in which our organization functions. Non-members may not attend rituals (which are by nature private activities held in the homes of members), regardless of their degree of interest or reason for wishing to participate. There are no exceptions to this policy. Journalists, researchers, and students doing papers, please take note—this means you. The Satanic Bible explains in detail the basics of ritual for those curious about our practices. The documentary “Satanis: The Devil’s Mass” includes footage of several rituals performed by our founder, Anton Szandor LaVey, and is readily available on DVD. You may view our 6-6-06 event held in Los Angeles here and the Walpurgisnacht XLIII A.S. celebration in Dashwood’s Hell Fire Caves may yet be released.
or even to “get along”
with each other.”
Through our extensive Active Membership Application, we gather information about the people who affiliate and desire further participation; this is for the protection of our members. We attempt to make it reasonably certain that those whom we accept may interact safely and responsibly with our other members. Individuals who have not yet affiliated are an unknown quantity, and realistically we cannot trust those whom we do not yet know.
However, for non-members who want to interact with other Satanists who have placed themselves in public by personal choice, we suggest that you participate in the message board called Letters to the Devil upon which many people who call themselves Satanists (as well as many Church of Satan members—including our representatives) exchange their thoughts. This board is moderated, so time-wasting posts by hostile Christians and pseudo-Satanic kooks are removed. The forum has general areas open to anyone, as well as “members only” areas which can be accessed once one joins the Church of Satan and presents proof of membership to those who run this board. Membership has its privileges. There are also additional moderated message boards established by our members, several conducted in languages other than English. Look to our Links page for them.
A word to the wise: since Satanism is a philosophy which holds individualism as one of its main values, we don’t expect all of our members to agree on everything, or even to “get along” with each other. Thus, you are cautioned that you might find some differences of opinion in these discussions. Satanism, by definition, is a philosophy in which you won’t find “group hugs” as part of the repertoire. Also, since only a very small percentage of our members choose to interact with people online, it would be an error to think that your online experience is necessarily a reflection upon what your personal experience as an affiliated member of the Church of Satan might be. That is an Is-To-Be that is in the hands of each individual who chooses to join. The Red Card of membership is just a key—it is up to you to open the door and earn the attention of those already in the organization through the superiority of your thinking and the quality of your real world accomplishments.
Additionally, if you consider yourself a Satanist but you have not affiliated with the Church of Satan, do not expect us to promote your wares or spend time in any extended exchanges with you. Quid pro quo is the Satanic principle of exchange.
- Join the Church of Satan
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Identify yourself as a Satanist and register with the Church of Satan. - Active Membership
Apply for active membership if you wish to share your success as a Satanist. - The Grotto System
Find out the current state of grottos in the Church of Satan. - Hierarchy
Discover the structure of the hierarchy in the Church of Satan. - Support the Organization
Learn the different ways you can continue supporting the Church of Satan as an admirer or member.
Disaffiliation
Resignation — It is a simple matter for a member to terminate his affiliation with the Church of Satan. One simply needs to write, sign, and date a letter (hard copy sent via postal mail only—e-mail resignation is not accepted), stating “I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Satan.” Send this letter, along with your membership card, to our Central Administrative Office and your file will be officially closed and your affiliation terminated. You may explain your reason for your resignation, but that is not required. If you decide at some future point that you wish to join again, you must detail your reasons for resignation and request permission for re-affiliation. If permission is granted, then you must start from the beginning by paying the current Registration Fee and submitting the signed and dated Registration Statement as explained above. It is at the discretion of the High Priest to refuse any attempt at re-affiliation.
Administrative Termination — Memberships may be terminated at the discretion of our ruling body consisting of the High Priest, the High Priestess, and the Council of Nine. The High Priest has final decision and can have sole discretion in such matters. The criteria for such action are based upon principles outlined in The Satanic Bible, the Bunco Sheet, this Affiliation page and its linked supporting materials. An expulsion may be warranted by personal actions on the part of the member which are deemed by our ruling body to be inconsistent with continued membership in the Church of Satan.
There will be no refunding of the Registration Fee for resignation, for administrative termination of membership, or for any other form of expulsion or self-disaffiliation.
We Are Legion
A Moment In Time
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