from the Church of Satan

4.4. The Nine Satanic Sins     

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. Pretentiousness -- 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 who is        

probably far less attuned than 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 unto 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 standpoint) we are far        

from that point.    

4. Self-deceit -- It's in the Nine Satanic Statements 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 into is when it's fun, and with        

awareness. But then, it's not self-deceit!    

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 the       

 many.    

6. Lack of Perspective -- Again, this one can lead to a lot 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, every day. 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        

things together as you want the pieces to fall into place. Do        

not be swayed by 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 is one        

of the keys to brainwashing people into accepting something        

"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. Counterproductive Pride -- That first word is important. Pride        

is great up to the point you begin to throw out the baby with        

the bath-water. 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. Aesthetics is important in Lesser Magic and        

should be cultivated. It is obvious that no one can collect any        

money off classical standards of beauty and form most of the        

time so they are discouraged in a consumer society, but "an eye"        

for beauty, for balance, is an essential Satanic tool and must        

be applied for greatest magical effectiveness. It's not what's        

supposed to be pleasing -- it's what is. Aesthetics is a        

personal thing, reflective of one's own nature, but there are        

universally pleasing and harmonious configurations that should        

not be denied.