F.A.Q. Membership

Serpent

F.A.Q. Membership

How can I find a local chapter or Grotto of the Church of Satan?

We do not have chapters and our Grottos were disbanded as being unnecessary. Our organization does not have church buildings as that would be against our individualist approach to living. Originally, Anton LaVey used his home as the headquarters for our church and performed rituals there, but he stopped that fairly early and members began to make their own places for ritual in their homes. We are a worldwide organization and our central administrative office is currently in the Hudson Valley. It is not open to visitors.

Each of our members who enjoy using ritual create personal ritual chambers in the home, thus suiting the tastes and needs of the person or persons using such spaces. We have members in every state in the US and in just about every nation on Earth, so that amounts to many unique ritual chambers around the globe. But these are only open to the close friends of the people who created them.

How do I find a local branch or order of the Church of Satan in my country?

Our organization is international and we do not set up “entry points” or branches in other countries. All members join through our Central Administrative Office.

Church of Satan
P.O. Box 666
Poughkeepsie, NY 12602-0666 USA

Contact with other members is not guaranteed. There are plenty of social networking devices where other members may be found, and should you earn their trust and respect through interaction, you might then finally meet in person. Please read the Affiliation page on our official web site for detailed information.

How do I join?

Membership is considered a means of supporting the philosophy of the Church of Satan so we think that it is important for anyone considering joining to have read and fully understood at least two of our major texts: The Satanic Bible by Anton Szandor LaVey and The Satanic Scriptures by Peter H. Gilmore. Both of these are available from bookstores in a number of languages.

Once you have digested both of these books, then the method for affiliation is made clear on the Affiliation page. Read it completely and carefully.

How old must I be to join the Church of Satan?

If you are legally a minor in your place of residence, you may not join the Church of Satan unless your parents/legal guardians are already Registered Members, and you seek registration of your own free will.

Our current policy is based on avoiding the possibility of litigation posed by parents of minors wishing to register as members of the Church of Satan. Such parents or legal guardians might be hostile to the philosophy and practices of the Church of Satan, whether they understand them or have completely misconstrued the concepts involved. We have no desire to become involved in such a process.

This is no reflection on you or your sincerity, but is a necessary policy in this increasingly litigious society.

If you are too young, in the time which remains before you are legally an adult, you certainly can live as a Satanist, and continue to broaden your knowledge, wisdom, and the application of your talents so that when you may join, you will do so as an accomplished individual who may stand proudly with others of similar excellence.

If you have not already done so, it is also important for you to explore many different religions and philosophies so that you can be reasonably certain that you will have found the one which best suits your nature.

Why is there a Membership Fee?

You don’t have to join our organization to consider yourself a Satanist, you only need to recognize yourself in The Satanic Bible and live according to the tenets outlined therein.

We don’t ask people to join—that is your prerogative, we simply supply the information that explains how you can affiliate if you so choose.

A registration fee was established by Anton LaVey himself and is for LIFETIME membership. Many Christian churches charge you a tithe that counts for 10% of your yearly income.

If you are an individual of limited financial resources, you can put the money aside piecemeal, and join when you have saved it up. We’ll still be here, and if it is actually important to you (and one would expect that a religious commitment would have some importance), then you can do it. Look to your other possessions and expenses (most people spend far more than this on general entertainment) and we’re certain you can do this if it means something to you to become a member.

We do not take installment payments.

We have an international organization with people doing work, corresponding with individuals (stamps, paper, computers, email accounts, etc. are not free). Our administrative staff's time is precious—isn’t yours? We are also not altruists. We’re Satanists, so we expect to be compensated for our time and efforts.

If you disagree, then you don’t have to affiliate with us.

Where does my money go when I join?

That is up to the administration. It will be applied to whatever is most required at the time it is received. If you feel the need to know in more detail, then don’t join.

If I decide to join, what is expected of me?

Membership procedures are explained on our Affiliation page which should be read completely and carefully before anyone considers joining.

How members are expected to deal with each other is explained in this essay: “Esprit de Corps Infernal” Loyalty as an Organizational Principle

I have lost my membership card. How can I get a replacement?

Contact us via email ([email protected]) and explain the situation of the loss and also provide a copy of your current state or government issued photo ID to prove who you are and where you reside. If a fee is required that will be explained in our response.

I’d like to purchase someone a gift membership to the Church of Satan as a surprise, how can I make that happen?

The Church of Satan does not permit “family” or group memberships. As a religion built on individualism, each individual must approach us about membership on their own. You could perhaps surprise someone by telling them you are willing to pay for a membership, if joining the Church of Satan is something they would find enhancing to their life experience. Then, that person may approach us about membership.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

From time to time, you may find yourself with a question that is not addressed in the F.A.Q., or literature. We welcome all intelligent and informed questions.

You may submit your question via our web form found on our contact page, or via email at [email protected].

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