35. The belief system, in simple terms, is a direct opposition to everything preached by Christianity
The reason Satan is the figurehead for LaVey’s followers is that he represents the opposite of Christian morality, which runs against LaVey’s belief in self-indulgence. The name ‘Satan’ after all comes from the Hebrew Ha-Satan (‘the adversary’). As illustration, here are a few of The Nine Satanic Statements: ‘1. Satan represents indulgence, instead of abstinence!’; ‘8. Satan represents all of the so-called sins, as they lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification!’ The Church of Satan doesn’t believe in the afterlife, and so is consequently life-affirming (if irresponsible): ‘Life is the great indulgence, death the great abstinence…[so] make the most!’
