The Satanic Scriptures [Paperback]

Peter H. Gilmore (Author), Timothy Patrick Butler (Illustrator), Peggy Nadramia (Epilogue), Blanche Barton (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 2007

The Satanic Scriptures hands down the wit, wisdom and diabolical perspective of the Church of Satan's High Priest, Magus Peter H. Gilmore. These essays, articles and diatribes have been collected from over twenty years of the High Priest's writings for his infernal cabal, some first issued in the pages of publications available only to insiders. From the magic of toys to techniques of time travel, Magus Gilmore leads the reader down a Left-Hand Path where few will find what they expect. The Devil always has all the best tunes and now you'll hear from a Satanic Maestro how the Dark Lord has influenced composers and musicians long before the advent of electric guitars and stadium concerts. Magus Gilmore reveals principles of Satanic Ritual in a frank discussion of forbidden rites. What is a Satanic Funeral? How do Satanists marry? Find out now, as these unholy ceremonies have never before been disclosed outside of the Church of Satan's Hellish Hierarchy. Here is the philosophy for those bold enough to be their own Gods-or Devils.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Howard Gilmore is an American author and administrator of the Church of Satan. He was appointed High Priest of the Church in 2001 by Magistra Blanche Barton. Within the church, he is known as Magus Peter H. Gilmore, High Priest of the Church of Satan. As a representative of the Church of Satan, Gilmore has been interviewed on numerous television and radio programs dealing with the topic of Satanism, including appearances on The History Channel, BBC, The Sci-Fi Channel, Point of Inquiry, and Bob Larson's Christian radio show. Gilmore has collaborated with death metal band Acheron in their earlier releases.

Illustrator

Blanche Barton (born Sharon Densley on October 2, 1959) is an American religious leader who is Magistra Templi Rex within the Church of Satan, and is addressed by Satanists as Magistra Barton.

Product Details

• Paperback: 302 pages
• Publisher: Scapegoat (October 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976403595
• ISBN-13: 978-0976403593
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The new High Priest speaks and...(shrug), July 27, 2008

By 

Patrick A. Bonner "apollos" (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Satanic Scriptures (Paperback)

First I want to say that I didn't particularly like this book, but I gave it three stars anyway for a couple reasons:

1. It is an incredible piece of publishing. The book is beautiful, and of truly superior quality. In this regard alone it lives up to its satanic idealism.

2. The Satanic Wedding is included in the book. This is a piece of work that I've long been interested in reading. It stood out in its absence in the "Satanic Rituals," so I'm glad to have finally had an opportunity to read it.

3. It isn't terrible. In fact, if I hadn't read Lavey, I'd probably think more highly of this work.

But now for the negatives:

1. Editing. I was very disappointed to find typos and spelling errors in this book. It really detracted from the value of the book as a piece of art. This may sound nit-picky, but Satanists pride themselves on the superior quality of their work, and in this respect the High Priest failed to live up to the ideals of his Church.

2. Content. I understand that satanists don't like the rest of the world in general, but come on, the High Priest is the highest ranking official in the Church, and it seems to me, for an individualist, a self-proclaimed egoist, he spends far too long complaining about the stupidity of other people. All of the pieces did not re-hash this tired subject, but unfortunately, most of them did.

3. Content. In the second respect, I found it surprising that so much of the book was spent defining what a satanist "is," or believes. Satanists are individuals, why do they need another book telling them what they are? I understand the necessity of Lavey's codification of satanism because he was the first to do it, the original black-pope, and so he had to bring satanism to the awareness of the world at large in order to reach those select few he desired to welcome into his life and his Church. But those books have been written, and I don't see that the new High Priest really added much of value to Lavey's work. This in itself would not be a bad thing, except I continually felt like I was reading someone who was trying to fill Lavey's shoes rather than making his own mark on the Church and it's literature.

Having said that, however, there were some pieces that stood out, pieces that really did make an impression. These were the instances where Mr. Gilmore was being Mr. Gilmore. When he wrote about things he loved, and about issues that did need and up-to-date comment from the High Priest of the Church of Satan. In these instances, Gilmore shined. But sadly they were few and far between.

But I believe that the work deserves it's three stars, even if there were typos (shame on you Mr. Gilmore). And I don't have a more beautiful book on my shelves, I can assure you of that.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refinement of Credo, April 3, 2008

By 

Satan's Jedi "Mike" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Satanic Scriptures (Paperback)

This tome is first of all, well bound and written on quality stock. It is well written and shows that the author is at ease with the style of writing that is conducive to cover to cover reading.

This volume hits it's intended mark; it expands and clarifies the philosophies set forth by LaVey over forty years ago. It shows that the Church of Satan is vigilant and faithful in their duties to prevent the same stagnation that has occurred with the christian bible. As society changes, so too do the principle everyone lives by. It is assuring that Magus Gilmore is living by the Satanic credo "Ever Forward".

Hail Satan!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting book, January 18, 2008

By 

Belial "Belial" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Satanic Scriptures (Paperback)

I stumbled upon this book by accident and it contains some of the most interesting essays that correctly portray the philosophy of Left-Hand Path Satanism, unlike the countless reactionary pseudo-Christian devil worship books out there.