Customer Reviews

Bearing The Devil's Mark

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A splendid collection of Magister Paradise's essays accumulated from Not Like Most magazine, The Black Flame, and other sources, demonstrating his wit, wisdom, and experiences both in the "inner circle", and world abroad. Subjects range from misanthropic social commentary to multimedia reviews, relationships, aesthetics, racialism, technology, blindlight foolosophies, and even includes a Walpurgisnacht ritual!

Concluding with a bang with the Appendix section, including an interview, Satanism faq, suggested reading, and quite remarkably, The Mail Bag! Like the segment concluding The Church of Satan book by Magistra Blanche Barton, the former lists a series of humorous correspondences from the various poseurs, the would-be spoon-fed, hypocritical christians, and ignoramuses alike.

Greatly complimenting the contents within, gracing the cover of the tome is photography wrought by Witch Melanie Laetitia Mantis, of Magister Diabolus Rex's admirable sculptural art entitled Sigil of Apocalypse.

Overall, the book flows gracefully from one subject covered by a series of essays to another, providing concentrated contemplation for the elitist misanthrope. Bearing The Devil's Mark receives the Devil's Seal of Approval.

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As an extra special addition, Magister Paradise was gracious enough to provide his own "Devil's Mark" to My edition.

Bearing the Devil's Mark, by Magister Matt G. Paradise, is one of the most insightful dissections of Satanism that I've ever read. This compilation of essays is not only entertaining, but refreshingly honest as well.

When people ask me what Satanism is all about, I now have another book to add to the list for them to read and educate themselves with. Even though many pseudo Satanists will balk, there is a lot of eye-opening information on what a Satanist is ~not.~ All too often we find ignoramuses misrepresenting Satanism; This book clears the muddy water with brutal facts.

It's really nice to see someone with such great experience and acumen sharing their knowledgeable writings with us. Oftentimes, one has to really hunt around to find great Satanic writings, but Magister Paradise's are now conveniently bundled in this book. It is a treasured addition to my library and I know it will be enjoyed for decades to come.

Bearing The Devil's Mark

Honored as I am to know Matt Paradise, if this had been written by a total stranger I'd be searching (maybe even stalking) for them to tell them how impressed I am with this work.

There are books about Satanism that are dogmatic tomes, completely necessary, but not always fun. There are books opposing Satanism, fun only in their ridiculous stupidity. What is rare, and wonderful, are those books penned by natural Satanists who have no need to assume the reader is intellectually challenged, and easily demonstrate that humor is a necessary component in the Satanic religion.

This book is, all at once, harsh, painfully honest, hysterically funny, and utterly informative. If you have the LaVey/Barton/Gilmore works, and are ready to witness Satanic application, in literary form, buy this.

Magistra Ygraine Mitchell

Bearing the Devil's Mark is the new book by Church of Satan Magister Matt G. Paradise. This 200 page tome of diabolical thought gives insight to what it means to be a Satanist today, as well as a first-class misanthrope.

Topics range from horror movie dates to wearing a tuxedo for effect. This is a book that I could not help but devour. I recieved this work, in the mail, a few weeks back and am already on My fourth reading of it.

Magister Paradise writes with scapel precision and cuts through the crap of society within the strata of the finest no nonesene minds and throws in a number of chuckles to make his point undeniably clear.

This book has helped Me fully realize how mind-washed the Herd really is. The accuracy of Magister Paradise's insight will be, to those who it is written about, not for, will be freightening as he tears away, with fang and claw, the security blanket that people grip tightly to them, and will, hopefully, open some people's minds to the garbage that is forced down their throats and made to accept. But I am not holding My breath.

Those who need to read this book won't, as they are afraid of mere shadow puppets. It is, therefore, mostly going to be read by those of the Alien Elite who understand the author's views, in fact, holds the same views, and they with nod agreeingly with a smirk on their face, know that what is written is objective fact.

A wonderful composition of observation and opinion from an exemplary Satanist. Each chapter elaborates on modern Satanic standpoints and clarifies common misconceptions. I truly found this book hard to put down...

If anyone has picked up this book hoping to find a titillating guide to mutilating cats and sacrificing babies, you will be sorely disappointed. The "Satanism" presented by popular media is a hysterical, sensationalist fantasy. If you are interested in remedying your ignorance regarding this federally recognized religion, you should continue reading Magister Paradise's work. You will learn much about the philosophy of Satanism, and also death of individuality and critical thinking skills in contemporary American culture.

Magister Paradise is highly qualified to write on these matters. He is a high ranking member of the Church of Satan (a philosophy-based religion which seeks to converse with the observing ego and examine our cultural programming) and has been the executive director of Purging Talon (a prolific multi-media company) since 1993.

His essays are not the indignant, bombastic pontifications you might be expecting. They are concise, funny, intelligent, articulate, and cover a broad range of subjects. It is not a single anti-mass-media note sung over and over ad nauseum. The book is entertaining and thought provoking, and of great relevance to anyone studying how culture influences the development and choices of the individual - for either personal or academic reasons.

When I was first approached to write a review of BTDM I expected it would take no more than an hour or so, but as it turned out that was indeed a bit shortsighted. Being that it has been quite awhile since I first read the book, and wanting to give a fair and accurate critique, I decided the best approach would be to first skim through the chapters to refresh my memory and go from there. What transpired was exactly what happened the first time I picked it up...I couldn't let it go until every single word had been re-consumed, thus pushing back my self-imposed deadline for this review by several days. My sincerest apologies for the delay, now on with the review...

In the first chapter we are given a short, albeit quite indepth history of Satanism in the media from the 1960s to current day; exposing talk shows, religous organizations, the music industry, etc., and how they used, and continue to use the symbolism of Satanism to further their own agendas, fill coffers, and build bank accounts.

The subsequent chapters are not only entertaining, but outline many Satanic concepts and ideals while dispelling myths and misconceptions long held and erroneously promulgated by the mass media and the public in general.

In summation, "Bearing the Devil's Mark" is not only an excellent companion book to "The Satanic Bible" by Anton S. LaVey, but also serves as a stand-alone discourse for outsiders who are curious about the philosophy behind the world's most feared religion. As a Magister in the Church of Satan, Matt G. Paradise has been an authorized media representative since the early 1990s and his pragmatic approach on the subject of Satanism pulls no punches and proves him to be a master of the written word.

In this readers opinion, "Bearing the Devil's Mark" is a very informative and highly enjoyable read. For those already familiar with this book I also recommend "The Book of Satanic Quotations" by Matt G. Paradise.

~CoS Witch Tiberia Nine
Radio Free Satan (owner)

Bearing the Devil's Mark is a well crafted series of essays by Matt G. Paradise. It is the voice of reality, frank and forthright from the much speculated about Church of Satan. This is no dusty grimoire of chants and candles. Brutal in its honesty, it pulls no punches. Definately required reading for anyone who thinks that they have an open mind. It is clear that Magister Paradise lives his philosophy .

To put it short, this book both made me smile and grin!

It's a collection of essays written by someone who knows how the gears, hidden in peoples mind, actually work.

Highly recommended for everyone who dares to think!

Review of "Bearing the Devil's Mark" by Matt G. Paradise.

Matt Paradise's text is for the most part a biographical declaration and coming out if you will explaining his involvement with Satanism as posited by the late Dr. Anton Szandor LaVey. If read with an open mind Paradise dispels the stereotypical Satanic tradition of "child sacrifices," etc. and instead introduces the reader to understand and follow (if worthy) the "religion based upon rational self-interest and a healthy ego championed by using the Christian archetype of Satan as the rebel, the accuser, the adversary" as imagined by Dr. LaVey. Broken down into chapter stories, personal experiences and vignettes of theory and practice Paradise does a good job explaining a difficult concept in a fairly concise text. This book is rounded out with a thorough Q&A appendix (among others) as well as copies of actual e-mails from the public he has received over the years (which was quite humorous). Five stars.