My 10 favorite passages from the Satanic Bible
1. The Satanist knows that praying does no good, confessing to another human being,
like himself, accomplishes even less - and is, furthermore, degrading.
2. “When a Satanist commits a wrong, he realizes that it is natural to make a mistake - and if he is
truly sorry about what he has done, he will learn from it and take care not to do the same thing
again. If he is not honestly sorry about what he has done, and knows he will do the same thing over and over, he has no business confessing and asking forgiveness in the first place.
3. If there has been so much violent discrepancy as to the proper way in which to worship God,
how many different interpretations of God can there be - and who is right?
4. A Satanist knows there is nothing wrong with being greedy, as it only means that he wants more than he already has. Envy means to look with favor upon the possessions of others, and to be desirous of obtaining similar things for oneself. Envy and greed are the motivating forces of ambition - and without ambition, very little of any importance
would be accomplished. Gluttony is simply eating more than you need to keep yourself alive. When you have overeaten to the point of obesity, another sin - pride - will motivate you to regain an appearance that will renew your self-respect.
5. A Satanist practices the motto, "If a man smite thee on one cheek, smash him on the other!"
6. If you do not believe in what your religion teaches, why continue to support a belief which is
contradictory with your feelings.
7. “Satanism represents a form of controlled selfishness. This does not mean that you never do anything for anyone else. If you do something to make someone for whom you care happy, his happiness will give you a sense of gratification. Satanism advocates practicing a modified form of the Golden Rule. Our interpretation of this rule is: "Do unto others as they do unto you"; because if you "Do unto “others as you would
have them do unto you," and they, in turn, treat you badly, it goes against human nature to continue to treat them with consideration. You should do unto others as you would have them do unto you, but if your courtesy is not returned, they should be treated with the wrath they deserve.”
8. The Satanist respects Christianity for, at least, being consistent in its guilt-ridden philosophy, but can only feel contempt for the people who attempt to appear emancipated from guilt by joining a witchcraft group, and then practice the same basic
philosophy as Christianity.
9. You should act upon your natural instincts, and then, if you cannot perform without feeling guilty, revel in your guilt.
10. SATAN has certainly been the best friend the church has ever had, as he has kept it in business all these years. The false doc “doctrine of Hell and the Devil has allowed the Protestant and Catholic Churches to flourish far too long. Without a devil to point their fingers at, religionists of the right hand path would have nothing with which to threaten their followers. "Satan leads you to temptation"; "Satan is the prince of evil"; "Satan is vicious, cruel, brutal," they warn. "If you give in to the temptations of the devil, you will surely suffer eternal damnation and roast in Hell.”
Reflecting on these passages from The Satanic Bible, I've found that they offer a distinct perspective on personal responsibility and self-empowerment that contrasts sharply with traditional religious teachings. One point that resonated with me is the concept of "controlled selfishness" — the idea that caring for oneself does not exclude kindness toward others, but rather that acts of kindness should be reciprocal. In my experience, this approach encourages setting healthy boundaries and fosters a more balanced give-and-take in relationships, rather than one-sided sacrifice. Another passage that stood out is the rethinking of so-called "sins" like greed, envy, gluttony, and pride. Instead of viewing them as morally wrong, they are portrayed as natural human drives fueling ambition and self-improvement. This reframing has helped me embrace ambition without guilt, understanding it as a natural force pushing us to achieve and better ourselves. It made me reconsider how feelings traditionally labeled as 'bad' can be channelled into positive personal growth. The critique of prayer and confession as ineffective or degrading practices also sparked reflection. It calls into question many ingrained religious habits by suggesting that seeking forgiveness externally is less authentic than internal accountability and learning from mistakes. Personally, this has encouraged me to focus on self-reflection and direct responsibility rather than relying on external absolution. Moreover, the passage about "if a man smite thee on one cheek, smash him on the other" turns the classic biblical phrase on its head, promoting self-defense and standing one's ground. This perspective has made me more confident in asserting myself when treated unfairly, rather than passively accepting mistreatment. Lastly, the critique of the role of Satan in religious fear-mongering was enlightening. It prompted me to think critically about how certain religious narratives may be used to maintain control and propagate fear rather than encourage individual freedom. Overall, these passages have challenged me to rethink established moral frameworks, emphasizing authenticity, personal growth, and a pragmatic approach to human nature. While these ideas may not resonate with everyone, they offer valuable insights into embracing one’s true self free from guilt and hypocrisy.