Organizational matters:The Church of Satan is highly decentralized, believing that a strong central organization is not desirable. Each Satanist is expected to follow his/her own path. As of 2001-APR-31, Peter Gilmore was the Magister of the Church of Satan; Blanche Barton was the High Priestess. 2 They switched roles in 2004. An interview of Peter Gilmore is available online. 3 Local CoS groups of Satanists are generally called grottos. Attitudes towards other religious groups:Many Satanists feel that Wiccans are hypocrites, because the latter restrict their work to positive, healing activities. Satanists use magic and other rituals to benefit themselves and their friends, but also are free to use these same rituals to harm their enemies -- persons who have hurt them. Satanism in Action 4 publishes a blacklist of people and groups who they feel are guilty of "spreading lies and misleading propaganda against Satanism." The blacklist recommends to "Smash on sight" any of the listed offenders. Most are conservative Christian authors, counter-cult groups and anti-cult groups. 4,5 Books by A.S. LaVey:Dates shown are of the currently-available editions:
Also see the biography of Anton Lavey:
Another useful book is:
References used:The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.
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Religious Tolerance
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