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First Satanic Church
First Satanic Church
First Satanic Church
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First Satanic Church
Sigil of Baphomet, an official symbol of LaVeyan Satanism[1]
AbbreviationFSC
TypeNew religious movement (Satanism)
ClassificationAtheistic Satanism
OrientationLaVeyan Satanism
ScriptureThe Satanic Bible
TheologyAutotheism
High PriestessKarla LaVey
HeadquartersSan Francisco, California
FounderKarla LaVey
OriginOctober 31, 1999
San Francisco, California
Separated fromChurch of Satan (1999)
Official websitewww.firstsatanicchurch.com

The First Satanic Church (FSC) is an organization founded by Karla LaVey on October 31, 1999, in San Francisco. The church is dedicated to LaVeyan Satanism as codified by Anton LaVey in the Satanic Bible. The church's stated mission is to carry on the legacy of Anton LaVey through "the study of Satanism and the occult sciences".[2] For over a decade the church operated The 600 Club, a now-defunct Internet forum dedicated to discussions of Satanism.[3]

The church's website claims the organization to have been founded in 1966, and the 1999 date to be a "re-establishment" of the original Church of Satan, claiming direct continuity with Anton LaVey. Karla asserts that she is re-representing the original teachings of her father from which the current administration of the Church of Satan has departed, and maintains an elitist stance of her father's original organization. Anton LaVey's book The Satanic Bible is stated as required reading prior to joining the First Satanic Church.[4]

History

[edit]
Church founder Karla LaVey during a "Black X-Mass" celebration in 2012

On Walpurgisnacht, April 30, 1966, Anton LaVey founded the "Satanic Church" (which he would later rename the "Church of Satan"). On October 29, 1997, Anton LaVey died of pulmonary edema. On November 7, 1997, Karla held a press conference to announce Anton's death.[5] It was at this time that Blanche Barton and Karla LaVey announced that they would run the Church of Satan as co-High Priestesses. Several days later, Barton produced a hand written will claiming that LaVey had left all of his belongings, property, writings, and royalties, including the Church of Satan, to be put in a trust managed by Barton. Karla contested this will, which was later found to be invalid.[6] A settlement was later reached in which Anton's belongings, intellectual property and royalties would be split among his three children, Karla, Zeena and Xerxes, and that Barton would receive the “corporation known as Church of Satan.”

After LaVey's death, Blanche Barton assumed the administrative leadership of the Church of Satan, although Karla LaVey had not abdicated her role as High Priestess. Shortly thereafter, Barton appointed Peter H. Gilmore and his wife Peggy Nadramia to the positions of High Priest and Priestess, and the Church's headquarters were subsequently moved to New York City. Karla LaVey was critical of Barton's administration of the Church, as she felt the Church's move to New York to be a disservice to her father's legacy.[4] Karla LaVey and Blanche Barton's parting of ways was primarily due to legal disputes regarding Anton LaVey's will and inheritance.[7] Consequently, to carry on the legacy of her father, Karla LaVey founded the "First Satanic Church" and continues to run it out of San Francisco, California.

Activities

[edit]

The organization maintains only a modest Internet presence.[4] The church held a Walpurgisnacht Show in April 2005 at the 12 Galaxies nightclub in San Francisco, as well as a pre-Halloween benefit show in October 2005 at Edinburgh Castle (also in San Francisco) to help the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Since 1998, the Satanic Church has been presenting its Annual Black X-Mass Show every December. These events are open to the public, although membership to the First Satanic Church is only possible by a careful screening after applying through their website.[8]

Karla LaVey hosts a Satanic radio show every week in San Francisco in which she talks and plays the music that she grew up enjoying with her father. Listeners are encouraged to send in their CDs for playing.[9][needs update]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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First Satanic Church

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from Grokipedia
The First Satanic Church is a religious organization founded by on October 31, 1999, in , , dedicated to the study of and sciences in the tradition established by her father, Anton Szandor LaVey. , who served as a high priestess and founding member of the , established the FSC following her departure from that group amid leadership disputes and legal conflicts over succession and assets after Anton LaVey's death in 1997. The church promotes LaVeyan principles emphasizing , rational , and as psychological tools, positioning itself as a preserver of the original Satanic philosophy against perceived dilutions in other groups. It hosts rituals and events, including the annual Black X Mass, an unholy featuring , film, and performances aligned with Satanic aesthetics. The FSC's formation marked a notable in organized , highlighting tensions between familial lineage claims and institutional continuity, with the group maintaining a low-profile operation focused on private membership and occasional rather than expansive .

Origins and Historical Context

Roots in LaVeyan Satanism

The First Satanic Church traces its philosophical origins to the , founded by Anton Szandor LaVey on April 30, 1966, in , marking the inception of the first publicly acknowledged organization promoting modern as an atheistic rather than a supernatural belief system. LaVey positioned not as a literal but as a symbol embodying primal human instincts, including carnality, self-indulgence, and , while explicitly rejecting , spiritualism, and conformity to traditional religious moralities in favor of rational self-interest and . Central to this framework is , published by LaVey in 1969, which codifies through foundational texts such as the Nine Satanic Statements and the Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth. The Nine Satanic Statements assert principles like "Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence" and "Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams," emphasizing earthly realism over or otherworldly promises. Complementing these, the Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth provide pragmatic guidelines for interpersonal conduct, such as "Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked" and "Do not harm little children," underscoring a focus on personal responsibility and non-interference without consent. Karla LaVey, daughter of , was immersed in these tenets from an early age through her familial role and active participation as a priestess in the , including her assignment in 1979 to oversee its international headquarters in , which facilitated direct engagement with the unadulterated doctrines prior to later organizational changes. This foundational exposure positioned the First Satanic Church to uphold the original atheistic and egoistic essence of , prioritizing symbolic rebellion against dogmatic authority and advocacy for uncompromised human potential.

Formation and the Split from Church of Satan

Anton Szandor LaVey, founder of the , died on October 29, 1997, from , precipitating internal conflicts over leadership succession and control of the organization's assets. LaVey's will reportedly designated his son, Xerxes Carnacki LaVey (also known as Satan Xerxes Carnak LaVey), as heir to the , with appointed as executor. However, , Anton's daughter and a founding member of the , contested the will's validity, leading to legal proceedings and a settlement that retained control of the under Barton. Disagreements over the organization's direction intensified following the settlement, culminating in Karla LaVey's resignation from the Church of Satan. She cited a departure from her father's original vision, positioning the subsequent formation of a separate entity as necessary to safeguard undiluted LaVeyan Satanism. On October 31, 1999—Halloween—Karla LaVey established the First Satanic Church in San Francisco, claiming direct continuity with the pre-1966 incarnation of her father's organization, which she asserted was originally named the First Satanic Church before being rebranded as the Church of Satan. The new group emphasized preservation of occult studies, rituals, and core Satanic principles amid what its proponents viewed as dilutions in the parent body, though the Church of Satan maintained its own claim to legitimacy under subsequent leadership including Peter H. Gilmore, appointed High Priest in 2001. Initial activities focused on maintaining an offline membership structure dedicated to self-identified Satanists without mandatory affiliation.

Doctrines and Practices

Core Principles of LaVeyan Satanism

LaVeyan Satanism posits as a symbolic embodying pride, liberty, and defiance against the guilt-inducing doctrines of , rather than a literal entity deserving worship. This atheistic framework rejects belief in gods, , or spiritual realms, viewing humans as carnal animals governed by evolutionary instincts and empirical self-interest, with no transcendent purpose beyond earthly gratification and survival. articulated this in (1969), framing as a of that prioritizes individual achievement over collectivist or imposed moral universals. Central to these principles are the Nine Satanic Statements, which contrast Satanic values against conventional religious abstinences and hypocrisies:
  1. represents indulgence instead of !
  2. represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams!
  3. represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-deceit!
  4. represents kindness to those who deserve it instead of love wasted on ingrates!
  5. represents vengeance instead of !
  6. represents responsibility to the responsible instead of concern for vampires!
  7. represents man as just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his “divine spiritual and intellectual development,” has become the most vicious animal of all!
  8. represents all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification!
  9. has been the best friend the Church has ever had, as He has kept it in business all these years!
These statements endorse pursuing natural desires without guilt, rewarding merit while scorning unearned pity, and embracing retaliation as a deterrent to predation, thereby fostering personal sovereignty over submissive . Complementing the statements, the Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth outline pragmatic interpersonal conduct, emphasizing non-interference, , and decisive response to threats: Do not give opinions or advice unless asked; do not share troubles without invitation; do not harm children or non-human animals except in necessity; when in open spaces, avoid bothering others but destroy persistent aggressors; avoid unnecessary physical contact; respect property and privacy; acknowledge legitimate authority only when earned; and refrain from complaining about avoidable impositions. This code reinforces responsibility to capable individuals while dismissing parasitic dependencies, aligning with a view of stratified by competence rather than enforced equality. LaVeyan thought critiques both religious and secular moral systems as instruments of control that erode natural hierarchies by glorifying weakness, victimhood, and indiscriminate , which undermine incentives for excellence and invite exploitation. Instead, it advocates recognizing —driven by innate abilities and efforts—as the basis for , where the productive thrive without subsidizing the incompetent, grounded in observable behavioral patterns over ideological equalitarianism.

Rituals, Symbols, and Organizational Rites

Rituals in the First Satanic Church adhere to LaVeyan principles, functioning as psychodramatic enactments to facilitate emotional release and focus intent, without reliance on mechanisms. These ceremonies, such as variations of the , invert traditional religious forms to challenge ingrained dogmas and promote individual , emphasizing psychological benefits over literal magical efficacy. The annual Black X Mass, conducted publicly on December 25 in , exemplifies this approach through an "unholy variety show" featuring live music, performances, and satirical elements that mock Christian observances, drawing attendees for entertainment aligned with Satanic irreverence. Private rituals, conversely, remain shielded from public view to uphold exclusivity and prevent superficial participation. Central symbols include the , an inverted enclosing a goat-headed figure, representing the carnal balance of human opposites—masculine and feminine, light and dark—affirming instinctual drives as vital to . Organizational rites, including member initiations, involve rigorous to ensure dedication, reinforcing a hierarchical structure that prioritizes committed adherents and empirical toward unsubstantiated claims. These practices underscore "greater magic" as confidence-enhancing , yielding tangible psychological outcomes rather than mystical results.

Leadership and Structure

Karla LaVey and Founding Role

Karla Maritza , born July 31, 1952, is the eldest daughter of , founder of the , and his first wife, Carole Lansing. As one of the original members of the established in 1966, she held the position of high priestess and participated in early rituals at the Black House in during the organization's formative period in the and 1970s. Following Anton LaVey's death on October 29, 1997, and ensuing family conflicts over succession and estate matters—including allegations of irregularities in documents designating leadership— founded the First Satanic Church on October 31, 1999, in . The FSC positions itself as a revival of the in its pre-dispute form, committed to preserving Anton LaVey's original teachings on without subsequent modifications. Karla LaVey's foundational contributions lend the FSC legitimacy through her direct lineage and firsthand involvement in her father's work, distinguishing it from other post-1997 Satanic organizations. Since establishing the church, she has adopted a subdued public presence, focusing on internal study of Satanic philosophy and occult practices rather than widespread media engagement, in line with LaVeyan emphasis on personal sovereignty over mass appeal.

Membership, Hierarchy, and Operations

The First Satanic Church employs a selective, non-public membership process limited to applicants aged 18 or older, who must submit requests via postal mail to a San Francisco P.O. Box, explicitly rejecting email or online initial contacts to filter for dedicated LaVeyan adherents and deter casual or insincere participants. This offline emphasis underscores an elitist orientation, prioritizing philosophical commitment over mass accessibility, consistent with LaVeyan tenets that value individual responsibility and self-identification as a Satanist independent of formal affiliation. Organizational hierarchy centers on High Priestess Karla LaVey, the founder and daughter of , who provides central oversight without the layered degrees or regional grottos characteristic of the early prior to its 1975 restructuring. Priests and priestesses, if appointed, offer guidance on ritual practices under her direction, maintaining a streamlined structure suited to the group's modest scale and headquarters. Day-to-day operations revolve around the website firstsatanicchurch.com, which serves as a repository for educational content on , sciences, and related literature, while the organization hosts localized events like the annual Black X Mass in without expanding into franchised chapters. This centralized, low-profile model sustains focus on core study and selective engagement, eschewing broad proselytizing or decentralized outposts.

Controversies and Disputes

Inheritance and Legal Battles Post-Anton LaVey

Anton Szandor LaVey died on October 29, 1997, from , leaving an estate that included personal property, intellectual rights to his writings, and affiliations with the . Disputes immediately emerged among family members and associates over control and inheritance, centered on a handwritten will produced by , LaVey's companion and mother of his son, which purportedly bequeathed the bulk of assets—including administrative control of the Church of Satan—to her. LaVey's daughters, Karla LaVey and Zeena Schreck, contested the will, alleging it was forged and did not reflect his true intentions, which reportedly favored equal distribution among heirs and continued Church operations independent of Barton. Litigation ensued in San Francisco courts, involving claims over the Black House (already lost to LaVey in a 1991 palimony settlement but symbolically tied to the estate) and royalties from publications like The Satanic Bible. By January 1999, lawyers for Barton, Karla LaVey, and other parties reached a tentative settlement, with the court ultimately declaring the contested will invalid due to evidentiary issues supporting the forgery claims. Under the settlement terms, Barton retained administrative leadership of the , while Karla LaVey received certain personal items and a share of royalties, enabling her to establish the First Satanic Church on October 31, 1999, as an independent entity to preserve her father's legacy free from ongoing CoS conflicts. This highlighted underlying family tensions and personal ambitions, as Barton—lacking blood ties—prioritized institutional continuity under her direction, eroding the original organization's cohesion. The Black House, emblematic of LaVey's , fell into disrepair post-dispute and was demolished on , 2001, to make way for residential development, symbolizing the tangible losses from these battles.

Claims of Doctrinal Purity vs. Church of Satan

The First Satanic Church, established by on October 31, 1999, asserts fidelity to Anton LaVey's original emphasis on elitism and rejection of egalitarian tendencies, positioning itself against perceived dilutions in the following LaVey's death in 1997. Karla LaVey has stated that significant elements of her father's vision were lost in the CoS after his passing, implying a departure from the strict rational and individualistic anti-theism that defined early LaVeyanism. This critique highlights CoS practices under , such as expanded membership through registered agents and public engagements, as potentially broadening access in ways that contrast with LaVey's disdain for mass appeal or herd conformity. In defense, the FSC maintains undiluted adherence to core tenets like those in , avoiding concessions to contemporary cultural trends that might prioritize visibility over exclusivity. Proponents argue this preserves the causal realism of LaVey's philosophy, where individual potency trumps collective accommodation, without of CoS abandoning textual foundations but evaluating changes against the original rejection of spiritual or social pipe dreams. The Church of Satan rebuts these purity claims, attributing the 1999 schism primarily to succession disputes and personal animosities rather than doctrinal rifts, with leadership transitions from to Gilmore framed as continuous with LaVey's writings. Gilmore has explicitly upheld elitism as integral, characterizing as involving "social Darwinism" and a "brutal" that filters the worthy from the mediocre, verifiable through ongoing publications and policies aligned with LaVey's Nine Satanic Statements. Empirical of both groups reveals no fundamental divergence in practices or symbolic use, suggesting assertions of deviation stem more from factional loyalty than measurable philosophical shifts.

Reception and Impact

Public Perceptions and Media Portrayals

During the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and early 1990s, media outlets sensationalized claims of widespread Satanic , often conflating fictionalized narratives with organized groups like those adhering to . Despite thousands of allegations, federal investigations, including those by the FBI, concluded there was no of organized Satanic cults engaging in , and groups explicitly rejected such practices as antithetical to their atheistic . The , precursor to the First Satanic Church (FSC), maintained a low profile amid the hysteria, with no substantiated links to criminal activity. Religious conservatives have portrayed , including the FSC, as a promoter of moral decay through its emphasis on and self-indulgence, arguing it undermines traditional values and potentially contributes to social atomization by prioritizing individual gratification over communal bonds. In contrast, some left-leaning critiques dismiss the philosophy's core tenets, overlooking its rejection of victimhood mentality in favor of personal responsibility and . Media appearances, such as Karla LaVey's 2006 interview on ' The O'Reilly Factor, highlighted these tensions, where she defended Satanic views against accusations of deviance without endorsing illegal acts. The FSC has achieved recognition for challenging the monopoly of traditional religions in public discourse, as seen in event coverage like the San Francisco Chronicle's reporting on its Black X Mass gatherings, which portrayed them as theatrical variety shows rather than sinister rituals. No credible reports document FSC involvement in illegal activities, underscoring a disconnect between public fears and verifiable facts. This balanced assessment reveals media portrayals often amplified hysteria over evidence, while valid philosophical critiques persist regarding hedonism's societal impacts.

Influence on Broader Satanic Movements

The First Satanic Church (FSC) maintains a niche role within Satanic movements by upholding a strict interpretation of Anton LaVey's original tenets, emphasizing atheistic , self-deification, and rejection of herd morality as codified in (1969). Founded on October 31, 1999, amid disputes over LaVey's estate, the FSC positions itself as a preserver of undiluted LaVeyanism against perceived dilutions in other groups, focusing on private rituals and philosophical purity rather than expansive outreach. This stance implicitly contrasts with the activism of (TST), established in 2013, which pursues public campaigns on issues like reproductive rights and religious equality under the banner of Satanic symbolism to challenge institutional privileges. TST's collectivist-oriented efforts, including lawsuits for equal access to public forums and advocacy for empathy-driven justice, diverge from LaVeyan priorities of personal indulgence and anti-altruism, representing a politicized that the FSC's fidelity to source texts symbolically resists. By adhering to esoteric practices without broader proselytizing, the FSC influences specialized circles and independent LaVeyan adherents seeking alternatives to portrayals that often conflate with TST's progressive stances. However, its small scale and avoidance of have minimized wider impact, enabling activist variants to dominate narratives despite deviations from foundational and causal . This insularity, while safeguarding doctrinal integrity, risks marginalizing purist perspectives in a field increasingly defined by performative symbolism over empirical .

Current Status and Developments

Post-1999 Activities and Viability

In the early , the First Satanic Church organized private rituals and low-profile events, including iterations of its annual Black X Mass, which by its ninth occurrence featured musical performances such as those by the Graves Brothers Deluxe on December 25. These gatherings emphasized LaVeyan principles without seeking widespread publicity, consistent with the organization's selective approach to participation. The church disseminated LaVeyan materials and references primarily through its website, which provides resources for studying while underscoring a deliberate avoidance of extensive online engagement to filter committed members from casual inquirers. Operations remained centered in under High Priestess Karla LaVey's leadership, prioritizing offline rituals and vetted memberships over public recruitment or media outreach. Post-mid-2000s, documented public activities contracted, with no major expansions, high-visibility events, or membership growth reported in available records. This aligns with the church's policy of exclusivity, which limits accessibility and contrasts with broader trends in Satanic organizations pursuing open and larger followings. The persistence of the website as a static informational hub suggests minimal but sustained viability, though without evidence of scaling beyond a core, private cadre.

Distinctions from Activist Satanic Groups

The First Satanic Church (FSC) upholds a purist interpretation of , emphasizing individual egoism and ritualistic practice over the political activism characteristic of groups like (TST). Founded by to preserve her father's original doctrines, the FSC rejects the integration of egalitarian causes—such as TST's campaigns for access framed as religious rituals and opposition to theocratic impositions—viewing them as incompatible with Anton LaVey's explicit condemnation of pity, , and concern for the undeserving in foundational texts like . In contrast to activist Satanism's focus on public protests, legal challenges, and alliances with progressive media for visibility, the FSC prioritizes personal empowerment through private rituals and self-reliant , arguing that collective campaigns undermine the core tenet of responsibility to the responsible by fostering dependency on external validation and virtue-signaling. This distinction arises from a commitment to causal mechanisms in , where deviations into stem from prioritizing group identity and societal approval over uncompromised , enabling the FSC to maintain doctrinal integrity amid the empirical growth of larger, media-aligned organizations that adapt LaVeyan symbolism to broader ideological agendas.

References

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  2. https://firstsatanicchurch.com/
  3. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1007/s13644-021-00468-9
  4. https://churchofsatan.com/history/
  5. https://churchofsatan.com/theory-practice/
  6. https://churchofsatan.com/eleven-rules-of-earth/
  7. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Satanist-s-Daughter-To-Keep-the-Faith-Famed-2823677.php
  8. https://churchofsatan.com/history-anton-szandor-lavey/
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  10. https://philarchive.org/archive/FOEAOA
  11. https://churchofsatan.com/faq-fundamental-beliefs/
  12. https://churchofsatan.com/nine-satanic-statements/
  13. https://churchofsatan.com/what-the-devil/
  14. https://churchofsatan.com/satanism-the-feared-religion/
  15. https://churchofsatan.com/ritual-magic-in-the-church-of-satan/
  16. https://firstsatanicchurch.com/author/karla/
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  18. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/karla-lavey-44382.php
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  22. https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/first-satanic-church
  23. https://philarchive.org/archive/FOEAOAv1
  24. https://firstsatanicchurch.com/contact/
  25. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1435627060034188/posts/1773749822888575/
  26. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Satan-s-Den-in-Great-Disrepair-Relatives-of-2950487.php
  27. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/End-Near-For-Ex-Devil-Church-Former-LeVay-home-2939667.php
  28. https://churchofsatan.com/faq-the-black-house/
  29. https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/124094NCJRS.pdf
  30. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/originalists-against-satanism/
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  32. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVZ4p5b8cVQ
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  34. https://www.kqed.org/news/11964949/how-the-church-of-satan-was-born-in-san-francisco
  35. https://religionfacts.com/first-satanic-church
  36. https://thesatanictemple.com/pages/about-us
  37. https://www.cracked.com/article_34058_modern-american-satanism-the-church-of-satan-vs-the-satanic-temple.html
  38. https://firstsatanicchurch.com/author/karla/page/4/
  39. https://www.churchofsatan.com/nine-satanic-statements/
  40. https://thesatanictemple.com/pages/church-of-satan-vs-satanic-temple
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