Worth a read (The Satanic Bible - Anton LaVey)

Member Name: hayleyj

Product:	The Satanic Bible - Anton LaVey
Date:	21/08/09 (9 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: interesting, ahead of his time

Disadvantages: incorrect rituals

The Satanic Bible by Anton Szandor Lavey is one of the most interesting books that I have read in recent years.
He was very much ahead of his time with his views on most of the things that affect us as human beings.
While it is true (as his critics are quick to point out) that Anton Lavey used (and was influenced by) work produced by other people, such as Ayn Rand (Objectivism) and Ragnar Redbeard (Might is Right), his writing is written in such a way as to reflect his own tastes, opinions, and sense of humour, and created the first statement of modern satanism.
However, while his writings are something that I would recommend to others, it should be noted that among some satanists, while his beliefs are accepted as valid (although there is a debate among some satanists as to which group - theistic or laveyan satanists - are "TRUE" satanists) his rituals are not considered spectacularly brilliant; for example, his use of the word "Shehamforash!" ( original hebrew: "Shem ha-Mephorash"), which is an epithet for a 216 letter name of GOD, and therefore considered inappropriate when included in a SATANIC ritual.
There has also been critiscism of his use of the enochian keys, his ritual structure, and for his latin. Information on latin and the enochian keys can easily be found online for those interested, and reference for aforementioned criticisms can be found at this website - <a href="http://www.theisticsatanism.com/rituals /standard/LaVey-ritual.html">Diane Veras Theistic Satanism</a>.
Overall though, his writings are worth reading, but those looking for rituals to perform may prefer to visit a theistic satanic website for a basic ritual layout and correct information.

Summary: definately worth a read!