I can see where you're going, but one of the biggest mistakes one can make in the study of the occult is the refusal of studying something. The church of satan doesn't function as it once did. I find that good ole' Anton abided by his own philosophy very well (he made ridiculous claims that gave him a few S.B. sells and a bit more publicity. This is respectable, as many religious leaders do not practice what that preach *COUGH* tedhaggard *COUGH*, but LaVey actually did so. But, because of his actions, the Church of Satan and it's actions are not applicable to someone such as myself.

Still, Aquino made quite a few decent works and I got quite a bit out of them. I don't care what his background was, or what his future was, hell, I don't care much about the man himself, it's his works that I make my judgements on.

Temple of Set reading list is linked for info

Aquino moved away from the "might is right" approach to a more mystical/esoteric view of satanism. As you say he did a lot of good stuff but doesn't suit everyone.

I wasn't stating that one should refuse to study him, I was merely stating that he claims to be something he is not, and for that, one should be weary upon reading his material. The Temple of Set is not the CoS in ANY way, shape or form. My point: I think it is important to read all you can regarding these studies, but Aquino doesn't have anything to do with the CoS.

This is the "Laveyan Satanism" thread, right?

__________________
Believe Nothing. Test Everything.
http://vampiretemple.com/index.html

I was once a member of the Temple of Set. I don't think "Satanism" is really the proper word to define their beliefs. Satanism was defined by Anton LaVey in The Satanic Bible whether anyone likes that or not. There simply did not exist any structured form of Satanism before that.

The Temple of Set practices Setianism. I would say it contains some aspects of Satanism but overall is a different belief system. Aquino and co. no longer define themselves as Satanists either, which is pretty apparent if you read their material.

If that is your bag, then more power to you. I didn't care too much for their overall approach, but that's just me.

__________________
Test Everything. Believe Nothing.
http://www.vampiretemple.com

I've observed that Theistic/Traditional Satanists even refer to the Satanic Bible as an excellent source to assist with purging much of the Christian and Muslim dogma that many had been raised with. I myself found myself agreeing with the majority of what LaVey wrote. He did "borrow" ideas from Nietzsche, Rand, and Redbeard and put them into a modern perspective during the 60's and 70's, which was liberating at that time.

__________________
"I, and others like me, are the darkness which is necessary and without which evolution and knowledge are impossible. I am my own opposite, and yet beyond both. This is not a riddle, but a statement of Mastery, and one which, alas, so few have the ability to understand." -- Anton Long, Order of Nine Angles.

[url]http://crypticentries.wordpress.com

this thread is good too i am learning a lot form you guys keep up the good work cant wate to read more.

Thank you for this post. It has rekindled my interest in LaVeyan Satanism.

Wait a minute, I thought TOS actually believes set exists?

Doesn't that go against LaVey's COS and their refusing to believe in "pipe dreams"? They state to not really believe in satan. Mostly just about indulging your carnal whims without the guilt of sin or jeebus? I see COS more as a big finger to ingorance and religion(ie bullshit) more than "satan" worshipper of course. So COS + TOS = hmm what's the math symbol for complete opposites?

Blah, someone is going to yell at me know, aren't they?