Towards a Post-Temple Satanism
With the rise of The Satanic Temple has come the rise of satanism all around the world. It would appear that a once heavily fringe philosophy has become accessible to more people than ever, and quite honestly there is little surprise there. The Satanic Temple, or TST as I will call them here, has modernized satanism for a new politically charged era in order to combat the rising theocratic christian fascism within the United States. With this came a reinterpretation of what we have known to be satanism prior to their arrival. Before TST, The Church of Satan, spearheaded by Anton LaVey, represented nontheistic satanism in its most compact form. While we can arguably find traces of nontheistic satanism in thinkers such as Proudhon's writings, it was Anton who formed the foundations of what we know it to be today. It was oppositional, confrontational, proud, individualistic, and most importantly it viewed Satan as a symbol and not an actual deity.
While this did form the basis for rational satanism (as opposed to esoteric satanism), it was not without its faults. I would first like to state that practitioners of his brand of satanism are not all sinister reactionaries. There are many good people who embrace a form of his teachings that is actually quite interesting and progressive, however The Satanic Bible and other texts of his are somewhat problematic to say the least. His teachings seem to suggest a view similar to objectivist moron Ayn Rand but with an edgy occult framing to it. Anton uses language like “mating signal” and calls for people to “destroy” those who wrong them “cruelly and without mercy”. His views on hierarchy, gender, authority, and more come across as very reactionary and somewhat similar to institutions he should have been opposing as someone who revered the one who defied his creator.
Then, along came TST. They took the basic spirit of the older satanism and reformed it into something entirely new. Their version of satanism took inspiration from the old versions, taking the romantic view of Satan as the opposition and turning it into a more humanistic religion for atheists to embrace. TST's tenets were also instantly lovable and agreeable, and gave a direct sense of who they were and what they supported. Suddenly, this obscure idea turned into a rallying cry for the misfits and angry atheists of the world. The temple is now a much loved fighter for abortion rights, free speech, and religious plurality within the United States and the world at large.
What is most exciting about this is the rise of literature and thought surrounding TST. Podcasts like Black Mass Appeal rose to popularity, giving unique perspectives on what it truly means to be a satanist. Lilith Starr's Compassionate Satanism gives new ways to view and practice satanic life. This new breed of satanism was more than an edgy way of angering christians. It was a religion with enough fangs to puncture the cultural debates surrounding religion. It challenged the notion of what a religion could be, or should be, and what religions are capable of being for people.
This is why it is disappointing to see TST's recent controversies. While bad faith actors do exist, and credit should be given to TST for how it has changed the conversation regarding religion, some actions are troubling at best and disturbing at worst. From hiring a lawyer who has represented alt-right figures to work for the temple to supposedly using an innocent woman as a symbol for their abortion case while simultaneously erupting at her when she wants out of it due to how she was being portrayed, it is clear that the organization itself leaves much to be desired. Not to mention that they are still not very transparent on how their money is used.
Part of this, unfortunately, is the nature of religious institutions. Much like other religious organizations that the satanists oppose, TST is anything but horizontally organized. The power comes not from the members, but from above. It is a top-down organization instead of a bottom-up organization, recreating powers that even Satan would rebel against. The intentions are eventually corrupted by the structure and nature of power, as all things inevitably are.
The religion itself, however, has many redeeming qualities. It challenges what religions are capable of being, expanding them to even more people than ever before. Additionally, it presents a humanistic form of satanism that gives new ways of expressing one’s inner drive to do good in the world, both for themselves and for others. The spirit itself is pure.
This is why I believe that we must have a new satanism. One that goes beyond the confines of TST and LaVey, and evolves into something independent of them. This satanism should embrace the basic ideals of what TST has to offer, but exist separate to a specific hierarchical institution or individual. It should be inclusive, diverse, and should oppose tyranny from wherever it will arise. It will prioritize organizing in more horizontal arrangements, with delegates that are elected and can be recalled instead of a few select and untouchable leaders. It should be rational, skeptical, rebellious, and more importantly, fun. This post-temple satanism is opposed to irrationality, authority, oppression and tyranny. It is inspired by the vision of Satan as the one who revolted against the person who created him, daring everything to rebel against tyranny.
It is here that I propose a revision to the tenets. The revision serves two purposes. One is to separate satanism from the church, and to explicitly draw it closer to what I feel are its more rebellious roots and implications. The other is thematic, edging them closer to a satanic aesthetic while condensing the 7 tenets into a more refined and blasphemous 6. I have called these “The Six Satanic Principles”.
1
Cruelty and subjugation are to be opposed. To emphasize and to care for yourself and others, within reason, is to defy these powers.
2
The resistance of tyranny and the pursuit of justice, compassion, and truth prevails over laws, institutions, customs or scriptures.
3
A person is master to their body alone, subject only to their wills and desires.
4
The autonomy and freedoms of individuals are to be respected, including the freedom to offend or to challenge, as to unjustly trespass onto another’s freedoms is to forgo one’s own.
5
The self should be the master of their expression, their life, and their future.
6
Beliefs and convictions should develop from one's best scientific and rational understanding of the world, and should not exist to satisfy one’s worldview.
As always, hail Satan, and hail thyself!
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