Affiliation with the Church of Satan
We were established in 1966 c.e. by Anton Szandor LaVey, who declared it the Year One, Anno Satanas, thus opening the floodgates to a revolution designed to smash the hypocrisy and unreason of organized religions and mystical philosophies. We stand as a formidable threat to those who would halt progress in the name of spirituality. We are explorers on the untrodden paths of science, human motivation and mystery—all that is most truly occult. Our primary goal is to clearly disseminate the philosophy created by Anton Szandor LaVey to those who have an interest in understanding the truth regarding our beliefs and practices, and to encourage individuals who embrace Satanism to utilize this tool as a means for enhancing their lives and for leaving a legacy of creativity that demonstrates to human society the potency of our diabolical perspective.
Those who proudly carry our red cards identifying themselves as members have the strength and dedication to implement the tools traditionally associated with Satan: the imagination to confound and confuse, the wisdom to recognize the unseen in our society, the pragmatism of a skeptic, and the passions of a classical Romantic soul.
Regarding contact with non-members
Many people write to the Church of Satan who have read some of our literature but want to further their knowledge through personal contact before they decide to affiliate, or through simple curiosity. It has always been our policy NOT to place non-members in contact with members, as an individual’s membership is held in strictest confidence by the Church of Satan. This does not reflect upon the sincerity of the person making the inquiry, but as realists, we acknowledge that Satanism remains a controversial religion and thus our policy is an important matter of security for our members.
We thus do not maintain any church structures nor are our Central offices open to visitation by the public. It is therefore pointless to ask for an address of a local Church of Satan. Read this essay to grasp the unique way in which our organization functions. Non-members may not attend rituals (which are by nature private activities held in the homes of members), regardless of their degree of interest or reason for wishing to participate. There are no exceptions to this policy. Journalists, researchers, and students doing papers, please take note—this means you. The Satanic Bible explains in detail the basics of ritual for those curious about our practices. The documentary “Satanis: The Devil’s Mass” includes footage of several rituals performed by our founder, Anton Szandor LaVey, and is readily available on DVD. Look for the upcoming DVDs documenting our ritual practice from our 6-6-06 event held in Los Angeles and the Walpurgisnacht XLIII celebration in Dashwood’s Hell Fire Caves.
Through our extensive Active Membership Application, we gather information about the people who affiliate and desire further participation; this is for the protection of our members. We attempt to make it reasonably certain that those whom we accept may interact safely and responsibly with our other members. Individuals who have not yet affiliated are an unknown quantity, and realistically we cannot trust those whom we do not yet know.
However, for non-members who want to interact with other Satanists who have placed themselves in public by personal choice, we suggest that you participate in the message board called Letters to the Devil upon which many people who call themselves Satanists (as well as many Church of Satan members—including our representatives) exchange their thoughts. This board is moderated, so time-wasting posts by hostile Christians and pseudo-Satanic kooks are removed. The forum has general areas open to anyone, as well as “members only” areas which can be accessed once one joins the Church of Satan and presents proof of membership to those who run this board. Membership has its privileges. There are also additional moderated message boards established by our members, several conducted in languages other than English. Look to our Links page for them.
A word to the wise: since Satanism is a philosophy which holds individualism as one of its main values, we don’t expect all of our members to agree on everything, or even to “get along” with each other. Thus, you are cautioned that you might find some differences of opinion in these discussions. Satanism, by definition, is a philosophy in which you won’t find “group hugs” as part of the repertoire. Also, since only a very small percentage of our members choose to interact with people online, it would be an error to think that your online experience is necessarily a reflection upon what your personal experience as an affiliated member of the Church of Satan might be. That is an Is-To-Be that is in the hands of each individual who chooses to join. The Red Card of membership is just a key—it is up to you to open the door and earn the attention of those already in the organization through the superiority of your thinking and the quality of your real world accomplishments.
Registered Membership
We don’t solicit memberships; however, if you wish to join us to show your support or appreciation you can become a Registered Member. For a one-time registration fee of two hundred dollars in United States currency, you will receive an embossed crimson card declaring you a member of the Church of Satan. This card is your means for identifying yourself as a genuine member of the Church of Satan to other members. If you expect to meet another member for the first time, be prepared to produce your card. Likewise, you may be expected to produce a scan of your card to certify your membership to other members online. We suggest that you keep your card in a safe place and only take it with you if you think you might have a genuine need to produce it.
Anton LaVey established a fundamental “house rule” governing our members’ obligation towards each other. The Church of Satan functions as a mutual admiration society, a refreshing change from the climate of back-biting and disrespect that is rampant in society. Thus, those who affiliate are not required to like, appreciate, or praise one another—which should be expected with an association of wildly diverse individuals, however they must refrain from publicly attacking or antagonizing each other. Additionally, since membership in this organization is strictly private, members may not “out” other members who have chosen to remain underground. Violating these dictums is grounds for self-disaffiliation or formal expulsion. Please read this essay for an in-depth explanation.
No further dues will be expected. There are no further obligations. You must be legally an adult in your nation of residence. See our Youth Communiqué for clarification of this issue. Carefully follow the instructions towards the bottom of this page to become a Registered Member.
If you represent yourself as affiliated with the Church of Satan, you are legally required to register with us as a member. Download a PDF file containing the Registration Statement. Thus, in addition to the Registration Fee paid in the manner you’ve selected from the options listed below, all applicants must submit their signed and dated Registration Statement via postal mail only—electronic facsimiles are not acceptable.
Once you have received your registration packet (sent via postal mail), you may request to be included in our E-Bulletin List (the mailing schedule for this is “as needed”) so you can receive announcements pertinent to your affiliation. Send an e-mail to us asking to be added to the list, along with a scan of your signed membership card. Members who joined earlier and who are new to online communications should follow the same procedure.
Consider this carefully: If you are considering affiliation with the Church of Satan solely for the purpose of group activities, we suggest that you reconsider. Affiliation must primarily be a result of philosophical agreement, not the desire for socializing. Satanists are not a huddling flock of sheep in wolves’ clothing.
All of our articulate members, are encouraged to represent Satanism in whatever appropriate situations may arise, but they do not officially speak for the Church of Satan unless they are members of the representational hierarchy, which is our Priesthood, or have been granted Agent status. See below. Those who have been bestown honorary degrees are not official spokespersons.
Active Membership
If you wish to take a more active role in the Church of Satan, we require that you become an Active Member. This requires that you fill out an Active Membership Application, indicating your more serious interest in our organization. By completing and returning it (e-mail Active Applications in plain text, rich text, or MS Word format to membership@churchofsatan.com or send viapostal-mail to the New York P.O. Box), your file will be placed in queue to be reviewed for your further involvement. Be prepared to present proof of claims made on your application. Our members continually engage in multifarious projects, working on many fronts toward the fulfillment of their rich potential. There is no additional charge for a Registered Member to apply for Active Membership. You may even pay for your Registered Membership and include your Application for Active Membership at the same time you submit your signed Registration Statement. All questions must be given thorough answers and a recent, close-up photograph of the applicant (the face must not be obscured) must be included or the Active Application will not be processed. Download a PDF file containing the Active Membership Application. Please be sure to type your answers to Part II; hand written responses are not accepted.
Once you have been accepted as an Active Member, the Church of Satan acknowledges that your presentation of yourself fits our definition of “Satanist.” We are currently working through an extensive backlog of Active Applications, so it may take about a year or longer before you will receive the response, which will come via regular postal mail. Be certain to keep us updated with any changes to your postal mailing address. Your patience is appreciated.
The Grotto System
Over the years, our “social laboratory” has embraced, disbanded, and revived the use of Grottos as a means by which individuals in geographic proximity form an association for ritualization, socialization, and the pursuit of various projects. We have now phased-out this device once again, since it has become irrelevant in the current existing situation for social interaction facilitated by contemporary means for communication.
In the past, each local cabal was called a Grotto, which reinforced the hidden and mysterious aspect of the Church of Satan. Grottos were designed to exist organically, solely to serve the specialized interests of a particular association of local members. They were never intended to have more than a limited lifespan. When they had outgrown their purpose, they were dissolved. Chartered Grotto Masters had to regularly report their activities to the Central Office, and their charters were subject to yearly renewal. Grotto Masters were not considered de facto spokespersons for the Church of Satan, nor were Grottos local representations of our Church. Only a small percentage of our membership ever participated in Grotto activities during the times we offered this mode for interaction. In the past, if a local Grotto had a public profile or a web presence, then non-members could learn of its existence. Many Grottos chose to remain “underground,” fulfilling the nature of that word.
With the ubiquity of the Internet and the ease of electronic communication, the Church of Satan has ceased to charter Grotto Masters and we no longer offer the formality of forming Grottos as a mode for our members to socialize or engage in ritual. Our members who wish it now have ample means to find each other and to discover whether they are compatible for social and ritual gathering. Or, as always, they may opt to keep to themselves. The remaining currently existing active Grottos are not publicly visible and continue only in a clandestine manner until they are finally laid to rest. Charters have elapsed for former Grotto Masters. It is time for them to set aside that responsibility.
Special Interest Groups
Our S.I.Gs were founded as “think tanks,” to serve as forums wherein our creative members interact toward the end of generating tangible results. They provide fuel for the creation of essays, images, music, compendiums of data, and other materials germane to the primary focus of each specialized group.
The means for interaction is an online message board for each group. These boards are not open to the general public, or even the membership at large, but only to those signed up for that specific group. As projects are realized, they will be announced on the News page of our web site. If you follow our updates you will have seen a number of fascinating results, and they gain permanent links on our Theory/Practice page.
Hierarchy
Anton LaVey formulated a system of degrees during the early years of the Church of Satan, as such was a general practice in many prior social and esoteric organizations. However, the criteria for elevation in our Church were based not on mysticism or occultism, but on knowledge of practical subjects beyond Satanism, and even more than that, on the application of such wisdom towards measurable ends. Dr. LaVey experimented by mandating the specific colors for medallions which could be worn by each member according to degree. And, for a time, written exams were given to assess a member’s readiness for a particular level.
In the mid 1970s, it became clear that many members had become obsessed with “jockeying for position”—being overly concerned with their place in the organization rather than working towards advancement in the world “outside.” This was contrary to our carnal philosophy’s emphasis on tangible personal progress and so, after that point, the existence of the degrees was de-emphasized in Church literature, and formulaic methods for recognition were jettisoned.
Today, we maintain our traditional degrees, but these should not be seen as “initiatory steps” which are expected of our members. The Church of Satan is not an initiatory organization. It is our position that, for those with awareness, by living fully you will have plenty of authentic initiatory experiences through the many avenues you explore, hence there is no need for such artificial posturing in our Church. In fact, no member is required to move beyond Registered Membership. The First Degree denoting Active Membership is only for members who seek more involvement with the organization and other local members. The remaining degrees (from the Second through the Fifth) are not open to application or to request. Our specific standards for them will not be publicly released. The administration watches the progress of qualified members, and may choose to grant recognition to outstanding individuals based on demonstrated excellence in the understanding and communication of Satanic Theory, coupled with significant potent practices in the arena of the real world which have produced superior achievements. People naturally and quite organically rise to particular levels, and we may take note at our discretion. This is meritocracy at work. So, if you are so inclined, keep us updated on your accomplishments so that your progress may be noted.
Registered Member
(no degree)
Active Member—Satanist (First Degree)
Witch/Warlock (Second Degree)
Priestess/Priest (Third Degree)
Magistra/Magister (Fourth Degree)
Maga/Magus (Fifth Degree)
“Administrator,” “Agent,” and “Grotto Master” are descriptive titles for what people do, not levels of rank, thus they can can be held by members with different degrees. “High Priest”/“High Priestess” are the top administrative titles, and can be held only by Fourth or Fifth Degree members.
Those who hold the Third through Fifth degrees are all members of the Priesthood of Mendes and individuals with these titles may be called “Reverend.”
An important point of re-emphasis: Our protocol for member interaction is based on the paradigm of a “mutual admiration society,” and this is applied across all levels of our hierarchy. Our members may earn each other’s admiration but the behavior of general respect is our functioning basis. We do not expect all of our highly individualistic members to like each other, but we do require that they behave as ladies and gentlemen when dealing with each other in all situations and forums, whether they be online, in any printed or broadcast media and particularly in face-to-face situations. Interaction is never required, and in the case of extreme disagreement wherein civility apparently cannot be maintained, we expect involved members to cease interaction with each other. Violation of this standard is a ground for expulsion.
Agents
An individual who demonstrates a thorough grasp of the philosophy of the Church of Satan, skills in being able to communicate it, and would like to be trained as a contact for local media and other interested parties may be chosen to serve as an Agent for the Church of Satan.
When you fill out your application for further involvement, let us know if you would like to be considered to be evaluated as a qualified contact point in your area or for media representation. You should then include material which demonstrates your qualifications, such as samples of your writing and video (via DVD) of yourself in a public speaking mode. Those who are appointed as Agents must demonstrate that they have already been making efforts to publicly clear-up misconceptions regarding our philosophy.
Priesthood of Mendes
These are the individuals who act as spokespersons for the philosophy of the Church of Satan, which include the titles of “Priest”/“Priestess,” “Magister”/“Magistra,” “Magus”/“Maga.” Members of the Priesthood make up the Council of Nine, which is the ruling body of the organization, appointed by and responsible to the High Priest/Priestess. The Order of the Trapezoid consists of the individuals who assist in the administration of the Church of Satan. Members of our Priesthood are people of accomplishment in the real world—they have mastered skills and have won peer recognition, which is how they have attained their position—“as above, so below.” They are “movers and shakers” who are the core of our movement. While expected to be experts in communicating our philosophy, they are not required to speak on our behalf and they may even choose to keep their affiliation and rank secret, in order to better serve their personal goals, as well as those of our organization. Thus, you may (even as a member), encounter members of our Priesthood and never know it.
Membership in the Priesthood is by invitation only. The old truism “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it” is certainly highly pertinent to our Priesthood. Words to the wise: Do not ask “How do I become a Priest?”
If you have not already done so, we strongly suggest you purchase The Satanic Bible, and study it prior to making a decision about joining our organization. It is a diabolical book, the basis for our philosophy. There is currently a great deal of literature available by our founder as well as our other Satanic pioneers. See our Sources page for information. The Satanic Scriptures by Peter H. Gilmore details much about the workings of the Church of Satan so it is worthwhile to read this book as well so that your decision to affiliate will be an informed one.
Satanism is not for everyone, but if it is for you, we welcome you. We are not a fan club, a pen-pal society, or a lonely hearts group. We are a group of dynamic individuals who stand forth as the ultimate underground alternative—the Alien Elite. We realize what we have, what we are, and what we shall become. Our scope is unlimited, and the extent of your involvement is based upon your own potential. All names and addresses are held in strict confidence and you are under no obligation as a Registered Member, unless you choose to present yourself for further consideration.
For registration: please send us $200 in U.S. funds (in check, U.S. money order, bank draught, or International Money Order—not an international postal money order—drawn on a U.S. bank made out to Church of Satan, or you may pay via PayPal* which requires an additional $8.00 service charge—see below) along with your legal name and complete mailing address, a copy of a national or state issued photo ID as a means to prove your identity, address and age, plus the following statement, signed and dated by yourself:
Please enroll me as a Registered Member of The Church of Satan. I recognize that failure to practice the principles of the Church of Satan and/or engaging in illegal activity may result in termination of this membership. I am legally of adult age in my nation of residence. I have enclosed a copy of a national or state issued photo ID as proof of my identity and age.
Enclosed is $200.00 in US funds.
Send
this to: Church of Satan, New York Contact, P.O. Box 499, Radio City
Station,
New York, NY 10101-0499 U.S.A.
or download a PDF file containing the Registration Statement.
You may also include your completed Application for Active Membership with this statement and your registration fee, or you may send the application later. Download a PDF file containing the Active Membership Application. If you cannot print this application, include your request that we mail you a copy when you send in the signed and dated statement and registration fee.
*To pay via PayPal, the registration fee is $208 in U.S. funds paid to hkp@churchofsatan.com. If you already have a PayPal account, you know what to do. If you don’t, click on the button below to set one up using a major credit card.
If you choose to pay via PayPal, you will need to send via regular postal mail your legal name and complete mailing address, a copy of a national or state issued photo ID as a means to prove your identity, address and age, plus the following statement, signed and dated by yourself:
Please enroll me as a Registered Member of The Church of Satan. I recognize that failure to practice the principles of the Church of Satan and/or engaging in illegal activity may result in termination of this membership. I am legally of adult age in my nation of residence. I have enclosed a copy of a national or state issued photo ID as proof of my identity and age.
I have paid $208.00 in US funds via PayPal.
Send
this to: Church of Satan, New York Contact, P.O. Box 499, Radio City
Station,
New York, NY 10101-0499 U.S.A.
Or download a PDF file containing the Registration Statement.
Please note: all memberships are processed ONLY through our New York office. We are an international organization and that is our central administrative point. There are NO “local branches or contacts” through which one becomes a member.
Because of the very high volume of mail received at the Central Administrative Office, as well as the small staff (which has other projects besides processing memberships), it may take some time for the Registered Membership to be processed, and we give 16 weeks as the maximum time (Active Applications may take about a year or so to be evaluated and for a response to be sent). If you haven’t heard back in more than 16 weeks regarding registration, email us (membership@churchofsatan.com) with the details (your full name, postal mail address [and tell us if there have been any changes], and when you applied), and we’ll look into the situation. We do not track each piece of mail as it arrives, so if you want to be certain that we have received your materials, we suggest you send them with some form of return receipt card, which the post office will return to you, thus confirming to you that we have your mailing. We will not confirm by e-mail receipt of your materials.
About the Membership Fee
We must emphasize that you don’t have to join our organization to consider yourself a Satanist, you only need to recognize yourself in The Satanic Bible and live according to the tenets outlined therein. We don’t proselytize, or otherwise campaign for people to join—that is your prerogative. We have supplied this information which explains how you can affiliate if you so choose.
Most Christian churches will charge you a tithe that counts for 10% of your yearly income—membership in them is not free, as so many assume. If you are an individual of limited financial resources who wishes to become a member, we suggest that you put the money aside piecemeal, and join when you have saved it up—we’ll still be here. We don’t expect people to put aside important things in their life in favor of joining our organization—Satanists abhor the idea of sacrifice.
For those who think we ask too much, we suggest that you look to your other possessions and expenses as a comparison. Most people spend far more than this amount on general entertainment. We’ve discovered that most individuals can muster these funds if membership is something they truly desire. Bear in mind that our church has real people doing work, such as corresponding with individuals, and otherwise helping to run an international organization (postage, paper, computers, email accounts, and so on are not free). Our administrative staff’s time is precious—isn’t yours? Also, we are emphatically not altruists. We’re Satanists, so we expect to be compensated for our time and efforts.
So, our reasoning is quite simple, and we think it is a bargain. If you disagree, then you don’t have to affiliate with us.
Disaffiliation
Resignation—It is a simple matter for a member to terminate his affiliation with the Church of Satan. One simply needs to write, sign, and date a letter (hard copy sent via postal mail only—e-mail resignation is not accepted), stating “I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Satan.” Send this letter, along with your membership card, to our Central Administrative Office and your file will be officially closed and your affiliation terminated. If you decide at some future point that you wish to join again, you must detail your reasons for resignation and request permission for re-affiliation. If permission is granted, then you must start from the beginning by paying the current Registration Fee and submitting the signed and dated Registration Statement as explained above.
Administrative Termination—Memberships may be terminated at the discretion of our ruling body consisting of the High Priest, the High Priestess, and the Council of Nine. The High Priest has final decision and can have sole discretion in such matters. The criteria for such action are based upon principles outlined in The Satanic Bible, the Bunco Sheet, this Affiliation page and its linked supporting materials, and an expulsion is warranted by personal actions on the part of the member which are deemed inconsistent with continued membership in the Church of Satan.
There will be no refunding of the Registration Fee for resignation, for administrative termination of membership, or for any other form of expulsion or self-disaffiliation.
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