Affiliation with the Church of Satan
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We were established in 1966 c.e. by Anton Szandor LaVey, who declared the Year OneAnno Satanas, thus opening the floodgates to a revolution designed to smash the hypocrisy and unreason which has reigned for the past 2000 years. We have, since 1966, stood as the most 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 mysteryall that is most truly occult.
Those who proudly carry our red cards identifying themselves as members have the strength and dedication to implement the tools of Satan, the imagination to confound and confuse, the wisdom to recognize the Unseen in our society, 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. It has always been our policy NOT to place non-members in contact with members, as an individuals 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.
The protection of our members is one of the reasons we gather information through our extensive questionnaire about the people who affiliate and wish Active Membership participation. 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 (those who have placed themselves in public by personal choice), we suggest that you participate in the message board on
www.personalsatan.com called Letters to the Devil upon which many people who call themselves Satanists (as well as many Church of Satan members) exchange their thoughts. This board is moderated, so time-wasting posts by Christians and pseudo-Satanic kooks are removed. This 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.
A word to the wise: since Satanism is a philosophy which holds individualism as one of its main values, we dont 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 wont 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 with 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 keyit is up to you to open the door and earn the attention of those already in the organization.
Registered Membership
We dont 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 one hundred dollars in United States currency, you will receive an impressively-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.
No further dues will be expected. There are no further obligations. There are no age requirements. See our Satanic Youth communiqué for clarification of this issue. Follow the instructions at 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.
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 are of at least 18 years of age, and that you fill out an Active Membership Application, indicating your more serious interest in our organization. By completing and returning it (by snail-mailwell let you know when e-mail applications will be accepted), you will be included in our E-Bulletin List (the mailing schedule for this is as needed) so you can receive announcements pertinent to your affiliation. Your file will also be reviewed for further involvement; we have Grottos/affiliates/Special Interest Groups of all persuasions who are working on many fronts toward the fulfillment of our Satanic destiny. 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.
The Grotto System
We have reestablished our system by which individuals in geographic proximity may form an association for ritualization, socialization, and the pursuit of various projects. Each local cabal is called a Grotto, reinforcing the hidden and mysterious aspect of the Church of Satan. Grottos are established by individuals who are granted the status of Grotto Master. When filling out the questionnaire, indicate that you are interested in Grotto activities in your area. If there are, the local Grotto Master will contact you to arrange a meeting to evaluate you for participation. Be aware that it is within the rights of the Grotto Master to deem you unsuitable for participation in his Grotto, even though you are a bona fide member of the Church of Satan. This does not reflect on your membership in the Church of Satan itself, only that particular Grotto. If there are no Grottos presently in your locale, you may apply to be recognized as a Grotto Master, allowing you to helm your own Grotto. Grotto Masters receive an in-depth manual to assist them in their efforts as well as guide them through the difficulties that might be encountered.
Grotto Masters are not de facto spokespersons for the Church of Satan. They are encouraged to represent Satanism in whatever situations may arise, but they do not speak for the Church of Satan unless they are members of the representational hierarchy, which is our Priesthood. Special situations might arise locally in which permission is given for a Grotto Master who has not yet attained the Priesthood to act as a spokesperson for a specific situation.
Only a small percentage of our membership participates in Grotto activities. We do not give out information concerning the location of Grottos to nonmembers. If a local Grotto has a public profile or a web presence, then nonmembers may learn of its existence. Many Grottos choose to remain underground, fulfilling the nature of that word. If you are considering affiliation with the Church of Satan solely for the purpose of Grotto activities, we suggest that you reconsider. Affiliation must primarily be a result of philosophical agreement, not the desire for socializing. We are not a huddling flock of sheep in wolves clothing.
Understand that if you wish to pursue group activities using the Church of Satan as an identity, you are legally required to be a Registered Member of the Church of Satan.
When you fill out the Active Membership Application, note the question about Grotto Activities and Grotto Master status and answer accordingly. If you ask to be considered for Grotto Master status, we will send you the Grotto Master Application. If you are already an Active Member and wish to apply for Grotto Master status, email us with a scan of your membership card at
GMApplication@churchofsatan.com and well forward the application to you.
Agents
An individual who demonstrates a thorough grasp of the philosophy of the Church of Satan, and would like to be a contact for local media or other interested parties, and who is not interested in Grotto Activities, may be chosen to serve as an Agent for the Church of Satan. As your expertise and influence in the real world expands, you will then be considered for recognition to our Priesthood.
When you fill out your application for further involvement, let us know if you would like to be considered to be a qualified contact point in your area or for media representation. You may also include material which demonstrates your qualifications, such as samples of your writing and video tapes (VHS format) of yourself in a public speaking mode.
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. Members of the Priesthood make up the Council of Nine, which is the ruling body of the organization, 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 worldthey have mastered skills and have won peer recognition, which is how they have attained their positionas above, so below. They are movers and shakers who are the core of our movement. They are not required to speak on our behalf and they may 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. We watch the progress of qualified members, and grant recognition for achievement. This is meritocracy at work.
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If you have not already done so, we strongly suggest you purchase The Satanic Bible, and study it. 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 other Satanic pioneers. See our Sources page for additional information.
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 alternativethe 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 $100 in U.S. funds (in check, money order, bank draught, or International Money Order drawn on a U.S. bank) along with your legal name and complete mailing address, plus the following statement, signed and dated by yourself:
Please enroll me as a Registered Member of The Church of Satan.
Enclosed is $100.00 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.
You may also include your completed Application for Active Membership with this statement and your registration fee, or you may send the application later. 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.
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Please note: all memberships are now 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. Once your membership is accepted, then you may snail mail a signed letter with a request to be placed in contact with local members who share interest in such contact, or with a Grottoshould there be one in your area. And, of course, you may mark the spot on the Active Membership Application noting these interests.
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 membership to be processed, and we give 16 weeks as the maximum time. If you havent heard back in more than 16 weeks, email us (membership@churchofsatan.com) with the details (your full name, snail mail address [and tell us if there have been any changes], and when you applied), and well 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.
About the Membership Fee
We must emphasize that you dont 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 dont proselytize, or otherwise campaign for people to jointhat is your prerogative. We have supplied this information which explains how you can affiliate if you so choose.
The $100 US lifetime membership registration fee is about the same as the price of a decent pair of shoes in the United Stateswhich certainly wont last a lifetime. Most Christian churches will charge you a tithe that counts for 10% of your yearly incomemembership 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 upwell still be here. We dont expect people to put aside important things in their life in favor of joining our organizationSatanists abhor the idea of sacrifice.
For those who think we ask too much, we suggest that you look to your other possessions and expenses (most people spend far more than this amount on general entertainment). Weve 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 staffs time is preciousisnt yours? Also, we are emphatically not altruists. Were Satanists, so we expect to be compensated for our time and efforts. The fee could be much more, and we havent raised it in many years.
So, our reasoning is quite simple, and we think it is an amazing bargain. If you disagree, then you dont have to affiliate with us.
Dis-Affiliation
ResignationIt 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 onlye-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.
Administrative TerminationMemberships may be terminated at the discretion of the ruling body consisting of the High Priest, the High Priestess, and the Council of Nine. Criteria for such action is based upon principles outlined in The Satanic Bible and on the Bunco Sheet, as well as for personal actions on the part of the member which are deemed inconsistent with continued membership by the ruling body.
There will be no refunding of the $100 Registration Fee for either resignation or for administrative termination of membership.