Customer Reviews

The Church of Satan: A History of the World's Most Notorious Religion

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Most Satanists, when asked for information about their religion, immediately suggest The Satanic Bible as a place to start reading. While this does contain the core beliefs and ritualistic practices, I think that Blanche Barton's "Church of Satan" makes a much better introductory book on the subject.

The great thing about this book is that it has a little bit of everything. This includes some biographical information on Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey, historical information of the Church, comments regarding the many later rival organizations that have come and gone, common questions (and popular misinformation) answered by LaVey, conducting rituals, gottoes, the 9 Satanic Sins, the 11 Satanic Rules of the Earth, and more. The appendix shows a hilarious sample of letters they've received over the years, plus lists of CoS-suggested books and movies (I've even created a website for that last category).

Despite being a CoS member, I didn't buy this book until last year. I had already read some of the material, such as the 9 Sins and biographical information, on the web. I assumed that the book wouldn't really tell me anything I didn't already know. However, I still found some parts of the book very insightful. I certainly gained some ideas after reading the chapters on the Grotto system and greater magic (ritualistic release). So in addition to being a great book explaining Satanism, I'd still suggest it to those who already are practicing Satanists. Barton packed a lot into this little volume. I give it 5 stars (and no, I honestly don't give that rating to each and every official CoS book).

I remember that when this volume came out there were few written materials about the origin of the Church of Satan, aside from Anton LaVey's books or sensationalist Christian accounts. This book filled the gaps and missing details. The old photographs are great too. Some of this material went into Blanche Barton's second book, Secret Life of a Satanist. Today, Blanche Barton is High Priestess of the Church of Satan and has been since Anton LaVey's untimely death in 1997. Her writings routinely appear in journals such as The Cloven Hoof and The Black Flame. However, this first book of hers is still a great research tool and introduction for readers wishing to delve into the mysteries of the world's most notorious religion. Even students of the occult who despise LaVey and his religion like to keep a copy of this title on their magickal bookshelves. My rating: 5 stars -- inverted of course!

Good book, a lot of information for prospective satanists (this book along with the Satanic Bible provide a perfect, almost all inclusive, introduction to Satanism). Rituals are explained in much more detail than in the Satanic Bible. My only problem with this book was that I had seen much of the information before, spread out all over the Internet, but this is probably where everyone got their information from. Another thing, it seems to be written more by LaVey than High Priestess Barton, it looks as if she just paraphrased that which she didn't take as a direct quote. Still, this is a great book, and I highly recommend it, especially if you are just getting into Satanism. Hail Satan!

....The book itself is an overview, as the title reveals, of thenotorious Church of Satan, founded by Anton LaVey, a latter dayH.L. Mencken combined with P.T. Barnum. The man had a flair forshowmanship and Grand Guignol- he succeeded in his endeavors becausehe cultivated his inner strength through hard work and practice. Hestill inspires us today to reach our own goals and dreams.

TheChurch of Satan reflected this attitude toward life; fosteringindulgence, happiness, self sufficiancy and, most of all,justice.

The book was written by the current high Priestess, BlanchBarton, and gives information of how to form groups to practicephycodrama, an interesting source sheet of Satanic productions pastand present and other things pertaining to this highly controversialphilosophy. Above all, when learning about all these things, keep anopen (but still discriminating) mind and have fun exploring life. END

I received my copy of this book years and years ago, when for the very first time in Europe a service connected to T.O.P.Y. (Temple Ov Psichic Youth - ...Jackie, thank You so very much...) started to readily made available to serious Individuals forbidden and underground texts. I recommend the book to every Student who needs greater assistance in understanding what Satanism really is. Please don't be fooled by reactionary's propaganda. Think for Yourself.

As You start thinking You'll discover pretty soon You are aligned with Our Phylosophy.

A great book to read & enjoy. Mrs. Barton is a great Mystery writer (I'll dream to see somedaay a Mystery Tale written by the Author...).

Take NOW a copy because it sometimes goes underground and out of print.

I finished reading the book not too long ago. If your looking imformation of the Church of Satan and who the organization is ran, then this book is for you. If your looking for a book than gives extensive knowledge on Anton LaVey's life, then I reccommend Secert Life of a Satanist by Blanche Barton. The chapter I enjoyed most from the Church of Satan is the chapter the on Satanic Magic. Barton shares more about it than LaVey did in the Satanic Bible. In the chapter it talks about how Satanist's can use any of the rituals in the Satanic Rituals as a creative springboard for there own creative rituals.
I'd say anyone coming to Satanism for the first time still have the Satanic Bible, but if they want more insight and hear LaVey expand in areas he didn't in the Satanic Bible, then Barton's Church of Satan is worth buying.

I have to admit I have read this book and Secret-Life of A Satanist and did not expect to be as drawn in by the author as I was. The subject alone would have kept me reading but Ms. Barton is a suprisingly inciteful writer. I hope to read more from her and hopefully Karla in the future. Anton LaVey will live on in our thoughts forever and we all share his loss. Hail Satan.

This is not the most important book of our mighty religion and everyone should start the studying of Satanism from The Satanic Bible. Yet this book is quite entertaining to read and it is a good read, if you want to deepen your aspect and knowledge of Satanism, though for a small amount.

And this for the troll called god worshipper: You cannot even understand Satanism's philosophies, and you are judging the religion by the stupid anti-Satanism propaganda that xtianity keeps stuffing to everyone's head. And your so called ''book review'' stinks of fear and naïve mind.

this book is an excellent introduction-really sets the record straight about what satanism is and is not. for example, in this book, lavey makes it clear that satanism in a non-theistic religion. he explains that satanist's do not need to play silly games with imaginary gods and spooks-leave that nonsense to the christians! too many people have the misconception that satanist's worship the devil(this myth is perpetuated by the christian churches), but no, the satanist does not worship but, rather, celebrates: creativity, intelligence, the desire to succeed in life, to be happy, these are some the things that satanism glorifies...it is a life-oriented philosophy, to be sure! certainly, its not too difficult to see how one could just suddenly realize...that this should be required reading!

A Satanist myself, it still seems a little cheezy. Much like Secret Life Of A Satanist, it appears to be written by LaVey himself, but we're told it isn't. With many journalists investigating the life of Anton Szandor LaVey and figuring out the truth behind the myths, a book like this, full of these myths, is kind of embarassing. Just so you know, you don't have to like or believe this book to be a Satanist. A philosophy can be accepted without agreeing with the personality of the philosopher, and without believing the philosopher when he brags about himself. This is not a cult of personality, even if this book seems to make it sound that way.