Things to know before joining TST

This topic was created in the Religion forum by Whorpio on Thursday, April 23, 2020 and has 29 replies.
A couple months ago I saw a documentary about the Satanic Temple and fell in love with everything they stand for. They unfortunately don’t have one in my city, but I’m moving a little bit west and therefore will be closer to a sect.

I was just wondering if there’s some things I should know or do before joining.

I’m hella nervous because I’ll be joining alone. My bf hates any sort of organized religion (even if it’s atheistic in nature) and the only friend I have so far over there is a disciple of God.
Posted by LaPetiteEtoile

Damn. This sounds like fun. You’ll have to keep up posted.

Like and subscribe to my YouTube channel for updates. Link is in my bio!

Jk jk. I will definitely be back with an update if I do bite the bullet and jump right in. It seems like a lot of the members have a goth-vibe to them (black hair, dark makeup, dark clothes) and I’m a girly girl so I’m scared they’ll think I’m an undercover or just not the type of person they want representing them 😬
Posted by jukey

What draws you to consider them in particular? I see they claim to be more progressive-minded than Anton LaVey's Church of Satan. Have you researched other sects?

They’re funny as shit and are activists for political justice. They aren’t really a theistic organization; it’s moreso a mockery of religion.

Anton LaVey was hot as fuck. I love the things he stood for too (human pleasure) but I‘ve heard they do sacrificial ceremonies and that scares me. I don’t want any part in anything that causes harm to animals, humans included.
Posted by Whorpio

I was just wondering if there’s some things I should know or do before joining.



well, no society nor sect has worked out on the principle of common sense alone.

if that were the case communism wouldn't have ended in a catastrophic failure during the XX century.

but hey, go ahead, you have one life anyway.
Posted by jukey I don't know what the current group does, but Anton was against "physical" sacrifices and any harmful practices (other than those who "deserve" it which sounds tongue in cheek).



That was quite intriguing! I’m going to track down the whole interview so I can get the stuff that seemed chopped out.

Do they have in person congregations or is it more of a “spiritually I know I am part of this church” thing? I can’t find anything about them where I’ll be moving to.
The Satanic Temple has nothing to do with Satan, magick rituals or any form of esoterism. It's a silly and cringy organization made for liberal edgelords that makes use of satanic symbolism and terminologies to draw public attention with the intent of gaining members and promoting liberal and leftist ideals.

If you're interested in joining a satanic organization of more substance look into The Church of Azazel (theistic Satanism) or Laveyan Satanism/Church of Satan (non-theistic).

If you're just looking to upgrade your liberal edgelord game and become an even better social justice warrior, you're better off joining Antifa and punching a nazi.

I am like your boyfriend. I have an aversion to any type of organized religion no matter what the theology. I am spiritual in nature but there is no real rhyme or reason to it. I feel to be in a satanic religion there has to be a belief in God...otherwise calling yourself satanic is completly wrong. Thats like saying you believe in God but not the devil. Or you believe in good but not evil. Every religion has a yin/yang aspect to it.

Point being... there is nothing wrong with liking a religion's beliefs and using that in your everyday life, but you dont have to become part of that religion in order to practice what they believe. If you like what they say about living your own life and not harming people and respecting others, then do that. You don't have to find them out and join them in order to do that..which by your OP that is what it sounded like and why I'm bringing it up.

Posted by SeaLion

I am like your boyfriend. I have an aversion to any type of organized religion no matter what the theology. I am spiritual in nature but there is no real rhyme or reason to it. I feel to be in a satanic religion there has to be a belief in God...otherwise calling yourself satanic is completly wrong. Thats like saying you believe in God but not the devil. Or you believe in good but not evil. Every religion has a yin/yang aspect to it.

Point being... there is nothing wrong with liking a religion's beliefs and using that in your everyday life, but you dont have to become part of that religion in order to practice what they believe. If you like what they say about living your own life and not harming people and respecting others, then do that. You don't have to find them out and join them in order to do that..which by your OP that is what it sounded like and why I'm bringing it up.
This.
Posted by jukeyFrom the CoS wiki:

"Membership to the Church is gained by paying $ 225 and filling out a registration statement, and thus initiates are bestowed with lifetime memberships and not charged annual fees. The church emphasizes that one does not have to join the organization to consider oneself a Satanist, and that one only needs to recognize himself in The Satanic Bible and live according to the tenets outlined therein. The Church states they do not solicit memberships nor proselytize."

LaVey wrote "The Satanic Bible" around the time he founded the Church, followed by several sequels. I've only read snippets so far, and it's pretty interesting. Their current HQ is based in NY, but they don't seem to have branches or chapters. Any meetups they have looks to be invitation only and otherwise very private.

Personally, I think it would suffice to just read up on the literature and see what resonates.

Thank you for this info 💛 I just ordered the Satanic Bible on Amazon. This will be me as soon as it ships:

User Submitted Image
Posted by SeaLion

Point being... there is nothing wrong with liking a religion's beliefs and using that in your everyday life, but you dont have to become part of that religion in order to practice what they believe. If you like what they say about living your own life and not harming people and respecting others, then do that. You don't have to find them out and join them in order to do that..which by your OP that is what it sounded like and why I'm bringing it up.

Idk if it’s because I have ADHD or if it’s because I’m an extrovert, but I’d prefer something where there is a socializing aspect so I can further understand what I’m following. I think it’s ignorant to just follow something as you personally understand it. Although there is no harm in doing so, you aren’t reaching your full intellectual potential until you understand the perspectives of fellow followers.

Aside from that, it seems like a more efficient way to get involved in the activism they participate in. Yeah I can go to a protest alone, but I prefer safety in numbers as I live in a conservative state.
Posted by Whorpio
Posted by SeaLion

Point being... there is nothing wrong with liking a religion's beliefs and using that in your everyday life, but you dont have to become part of that religion in order to practice what they believe. If you like what they say about living your own life and not harming people and respecting others, then do that. You don't have to find them out and join them in order to do that..which by your OP that is what it sounded like and why I'm bringing it up.

Idk if it’s because I have ADHD or if it’s because I’m an extrovert, but I’d prefer something where there is a socializing aspect so I can further understand what I’m following. I think it’s ignorant to just follow something as you personally understand it. Although there is no harm in doing so, you aren’t reaching your full intellectual potential until you understand the perspectives of fellow followers.

Aside from that, it seems like a more efficient way to get involved in the activism they participate in. Yeah I can go to a protest alone, but I prefer safety in numbers as I live in a conservative state.
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You don't have to be part of a group to reach your full intellectual potential.

What you described, in bold, is something fundamentalist Christians like to tell potential followers.

Unless you're the type who is independent enough to think for yourself, assess things according to what you understand, you run the risk of getting dragged into a form of hive-thinking.
Posted by Ram416
Posted by WhorpioIdk if it’s because I have ADHD or if it’s because I’m an extrovert, but I’d prefer something where there is a socializing aspect so I can further understand what I’m following. I think it’s ignorant to just follow something as you personally understand it. Although there is no harm in doing so, you aren’t reaching your full intellectual potential until you understand the perspectives of fellow followers.

Aside from that, it seems like a more efficient way to get involved in the activism they participate in. Yeah I can go to a protest alone, but I prefer safety in numbers as I live in a conservative state.

You don't have to be part of a group to reach your full intellectual potential.

What you described, in bold, is something fundamentalist Christians like to tell potential followers.

Unless you're the type who is independent enough to think for yourself, assess things according to what you understand, you run the risk of getting dragged into a form of hive-thinking.
click to expand

Welllll believe it or not the thing in bold isn’t something fundamentalist Christians told me 🤷‍♀️ I just like being around people I can exchange ideas and enthusiasm with.

It’s totally okay to practice a religion independently, but it’s also okay to prefer a group environment.
Posted by Whorpio
Posted by Ram416
Posted by WhorpioIdk if it’s because I have ADHD or if it’s because I’m an extrovert, but I’d prefer something where there is a socializing aspect so I can further understand what I’m following. I think it’s ignorant to just follow something as you personally understand it. Although there is no harm in doing so, you aren’t reaching your full intellectual potential until you understand the perspectives of fellow followers.

Aside from that, it seems like a more efficient way to get involved in the activism they participate in. Yeah I can go to a protest alone, but I prefer safety in numbers as I live in a conservative state.

You don't have to be part of a group to reach your full intellectual potential.

What you described, in bold, is something fundamentalist Christians like to tell potential followers.

Unless you're the type who is independent enough to think for yourself, assess things according to what you understand, you run the risk of getting dragged into a form of hive-thinking.

Welllll believe it or not the thing in bold isn’t something fundamentalist Christians told me 🤷‍♀️ I just like being around people I can exchange ideas and enthusiasm with.

It’s totally okay to practice a religion independently, but it’s also okay to prefer a group environment.
click to expand
You do know that there are different fundamental Christian groups globally right? Not all of them use hellfire and damnation to force you into something. Also your response to Sealion's advice seems more like a judgmental put down on her explanation.

You don't like people judging you right? Then start by not doing the same.

When I was 19 I got involved with a group like that who used that exact line, in bold, on me. I was depressed and angry about my sexuality and everything else, so they saw their chance.

But you do you. It's your life after all 🤷
Posted by Ram416
Posted by Whorpio Welllll believe it or not the thing in bold isn’t something fundamentalist Christians told me 🤷‍♀️ I just like being around people I can exchange ideas and enthusiasm with.

It’s totally okay to practice a religion independently, but it’s also okay to prefer a group environment.


You do know that there are different fundamental Christian groups globally right? Not all of them use hellfire and damnation to force you into something. Also your response to Sealion's advice seems more like a judgmental put down on her explanation.

You don't like people judging you right? Then start by not doing the same.

When I was 19 I got involved with a group like that who used that exact line, in bold, on me. I was depressed and angry about my sexuality and everything else, so they saw their chance.

But you do you. It's your life after all 🤷
click to expand

Wut? I was telling her I don’t trust my own understanding of philosophical ideas so I’d rather be part of a group who practices it so I can be assured I’m not misinterpreting anything.

And I feel like y’all two are being judgmental against people who do prefer congregations as opposed to independent practicing. Look at how passionately you are defending her idea on a thread where I was just asking for things I should know before I get into something 🤷‍♀️ To me she was implying you aren’t a real practitioner of something if you desire to practice it with like minded people. It’s like telling someone they’re not really sober because they had to use a 12-step program to get clean.

Sorry a cult took advantage of you. I can assure you I’m not being poached and it’s not something that is actively recruiting followers.
Posted by Whorpio
Posted by SeaLion

Point being... there is nothing wrong with liking a religion's beliefs and using that in your everyday life, but you dont have to become part of that religion in order to practice what they believe. If you like what they say about living your own life and not harming people and respecting others, then do that. You don't have to find them out and join them in order to do that..which by your OP that is what it sounded like and why I'm bringing it up.

Idk if it’s because I have ADHD or if it’s because I’m an extrovert, but I’d prefer something where there is a socializing aspect so I can further understand what I’m following. I think it’s ignorant to just follow something as you personally understand it. Although there is no harm in doing so, you aren’t reaching your full intellectual potential until you understand the perspectives of fellow followers.

Aside from that, it seems like a more efficient way to get involved in the activism they participate in. Yeah I can go to a protest alone, but I prefer safety in numbers as I live in a conservative state.
click to expand
You don't need to follow something in order to understand it. However, there is a difference in getting to know/understanding something and actually believing and practicing it. I have studied many religions. My mom is Jewish and my dad was raised catholic. I've dated muslims. I lived with a jehovah witness. I went to catholic school. I studied religion in college. I've practiced Wicca, almost got involved with a coven. My sisters best friend's father was a cult leader. I live in the Scientology mecca. I love learning about religions(9th house stellium) however, I don't believe enough in any of them to the point where I want to join their cause(and I know that is my prerogative and has nothing to do with you) if you want to join that is your decision but you were asking what you should know b4 doing so. I apologies if this is long but I feel like I need to explain where I am coming from with this.

1. Do you believe in their god.

2. Do you truly believe in their cause(not their manifesto) but their true purpose.

3. Do you disagree with anything they represent?

4. Are you truly ok with their rituals (praying, keeping an alter, not eating certain foods, fastings, animal sacrifice, self mutilation, going to their place of worship on a consistent basis, having to pay $ in order to be a member of their church, etc.)

5. Cults are real.

6. Are you thinking for yourself or are you being brain washed?

7. Are you prepared to make this a life long dedication closing yourself off to other ways of life and points of view?

8. Are you joining just so you can have a social life?

9. Does it make YOU happy?

10. Does it make YOU a better person?

11. Do the positives out weigh the negatives?

12. Are you joining because you have low self esteem and you feel like this is going to fulfill a hole in your life and give you purpose?

Posted by SeaLion

You don't need to follow something in order to understand it. However, there is a difference in getting to know/understanding something and actually believing and practicing it. I have studied many religions. My mom is Jewish and my dad was raised catholic. I've dated muslims. I lived with a jehovah witness. I went to catholic school. I studied religion in college. I've practiced Wicca, almost got involved with a coven. My sisters best friend's father was a cult leader. I live in the Scientology mecca. I love learning about religions(9th house stellium) however, I don't believe enough in any of them to the point where I want to join their cause(and I know that is my prerogative and has nothing to do with you) if you want to join that is your decision but you were asking what you should know b4 doing so. I apologies if this is long but I feel like I need to explain where I am coming from with this.

1. Do you believe in their god.

2. Do you truly believe in their cause(not their manifesto) but their true purpose.

3. Do you disagree with anything they represent?

4. Are you truly ok with their rituals (praying, keeping an alter, not eating certain foods, fastings, animal sacrifice, self mutilation, going to their place of worship on a consistent basis, having to pay $ in order to be a member of their church, etc.)

5. Cults are real.

6. Are you thinking for yourself or are you being brain washed?

7. Are you prepared to make this a life long dedication closing yourself off to other ways of life and points of view?

8. Are you joining just so you can have a social life?

9. Does it make YOU happy?

10. Does it make YOU a better person?

11. Do the positives out weigh the negatives?

12. Are you joining because you have low self esteem and you feel like this is going to fulfill a hole in your life and give you purpose?

I’ve already asked myself most of these questions. I’m not the type to just randomly decide I’m going to jump on a certain religious bandwagon because other people are (religion and politics are something I take seriously; I have a sag stellium in 9th house too smile). Question 4 is the one I don’t have all the answers to which is why I made this thread.
Posted by Whorpio
Posted by jukeyFrom the CoS wiki:

"Membership to the Church is gained by paying $ 225 and filling out a registration statement, and thus initiates are bestowed with lifetime memberships and not charged annual fees. The church emphasizes that one does not have to join the organization to consider oneself a Satanist, and that one only needs to recognize himself in The Satanic Bible and live according to the tenets outlined therein. The Church states they do not solicit memberships nor proselytize."

LaVey wrote "The Satanic Bible" around the time he founded the Church, followed by several sequels. I've only read snippets so far, and it's pretty interesting. Their current HQ is based in NY, but they don't seem to have branches or chapters. Any meetups they have looks to be invitation only and otherwise very private.

Personally, I think it would suffice to just read up on the literature and see what resonates.

Thank you for this info 💛 I just ordered the Satanic Bible on Amazon. This will be me as soon as it ships:

User Submitted Image
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One night I feel asleep with that book in my hand and while I was dreaming I felt a malevolent presence enter my body. I woke up immediately and could still feel the sensation of that spirit in my solar plexus. If I could describe what that felt like I'd say that it felt as if it had just escaped from some kind of literal hell and was in a state of torment. Almost as if it had been burning. A very unpleasant and frightening feeling. But the worst feeling was a sensation of knowing of being "damned." The spirit definitely carried that horrible feeling.

Two minutes later my mother starts having a nightmare, I go to her room and wake her up. She's crying, almost shaking. I ask her what did she dreamed about, she tells me that we were both moving back to my grandmother's house. We were specifically checking out the roof when suddenly she felt that something "evil" entered my body. I have not been the same after that experience. Ever since that happened I developed a very pronounced sadistic streak, which I have to keep under wraps in real life as it's not uncommon for me to have inappropriate emotional reactions to other people's misfortunes.

So anyway, I kept ordering books on Satanism, mom kept having nightmares a day before the books arrived to my house and I would always wake her up. But now she would see 'Damien' (character from an old movie called 'The Omen') instead, standing in the same spot I would be standing before I wake her up, followed by black cat that according to her was not really a cat but an evil spirit in the form of a cat. She would say something very particular about this "Damien" person, that it would just stare at her with an expression of hatred and curiosity. About two nights before 15 books arrived to my house she dreamed about a legion of demonic entities entering through the window. That was the last demonic nightmare she had. Just a cautionary tale.

Having that said, you might as well order The Satanic Rituals, too. You will need it to do a lot of the work instructed in The Satanic Bible:

User Submitted Image

Here's a pic of some of the books I've ordered. Can't show you all of them cause there's just too many:

User Submitted Image
Posted by Dastard2020

One night I feel asleep with that book in my hand and while I was dreaming I felt a malevolent presence enter my body. I woke up immediately and could still feel the sensation of that spirit in my solar plexus. If I could describe what that felt like I'd say that it felt as if it had just escaped from some kind of literal hell and was in a state of torment. Almost as if it had been burning. A very unpleasant and frightening feeling. But the worst feeling was a sensation of knowing of being "damned." The spirit definitely carried that horrible feeling.

Two minutes later my mother starts having a nightmare, I go to her room and wake her up. She's crying, almost shaking. I ask her what did she dreamed about, she tells me that we were both moving back to my grandmother's house. We were specifically checking out the roof when suddenly she felt that something "evil" entered my body. I have not been the same after that experience. Ever since that happened I developed a very pronounced sadistic streak, which I have to keep under wraps in real life as it's not uncommon for me to have inappropriate emotional reactions to other people's misfortunes.

So anyway, I kept ordering books on Satanism, mom kept having nightmares a day before the books arrived to my house and I would always wake her up. But now she would see 'Damien' (character from an old movie called 'The Omen') instead, standing in the same spot I would be standing before I wake her up, followed by black cat that according to her was not really a cat but an evil spirit in the form of a cat. She would say something very particular about this "Damien" person, that it would just stare at her with an expression of hatred and curiosity. About two nights before 15 books arrived to my house she dreamed about a legion of demonic entities entering through the window. That was the last demonic nightmare she had. Just a cautionary tale.

Having that said, you might as well order The Satanic Rituals, too. You will need it to do a lot of the work instructed in The Satanic Bible:

User Submitted Image

Here's a pic of some of the books I've ordered. Can't show you all of them cause there's just too many:

User Submitted Image

Was the Satanic Bible + ritual book your first step into satanism? Or had you been dabbling in other rituals/books before that experience?
Posted by Whorpio
Posted by Dastard2020

One night I feel asleep with that book in my hand and while I was dreaming I felt a malevolent presence enter my body. I woke up immediately and could still feel the sensation of that spirit in my solar plexus. If I could describe what that felt like I'd say that it felt as if it had just escaped from some kind of literal hell and was in a state of torment. Almost as if it had been burning. A very unpleasant and frightening feeling. But the worst feeling was a sensation of knowing of being "damned." The spirit definitely carried that horrible feeling.

Two minutes later my mother starts having a nightmare, I go to her room and wake her up. She's crying, almost shaking. I ask her what did she dreamed about, she tells me that we were both moving back to my grandmother's house. We were specifically checking out the roof when suddenly she felt that something "evil" entered my body. I have not been the same after that experience. Ever since that happened I developed a very pronounced sadistic streak, which I have to keep under wraps in real life as it's not uncommon for me to have inappropriate emotional reactions to other people's misfortunes.

So anyway, I kept ordering books on Satanism, mom kept having nightmares a day before the books arrived to my house and I would always wake her up. But now she would see 'Damien' (character from an old movie called 'The Omen') instead, standing in the same spot I would be standing before I wake her up, followed by black cat that according to her was not really a cat but an evil spirit in the form of a cat. She would say something very particular about this "Damien" person, that it would just stare at her with an expression of hatred and curiosity. About two nights before 15 books arrived to my house she dreamed about a legion of demonic entities entering through the window. That was the last demonic nightmare she had. Just a cautionary tale.

Having that said, you might as well order The Satanic Rituals, too. You will need it to do a lot of the work instructed in The Satanic Bible:

User Submitted Image

Here's a pic of some of the books I've ordered. Can't show you all of them cause there's just too many:

User Submitted Image

Was the Satanic Bible + ritual book your first step into satanism? Or had you been dabbling in other rituals/books before that experience?
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It was the first step.
Posted by 7s

I remember you saying your dad is a Virgo and your mom's a Gemini. I can't imagine what that was like for you. All that mercury critiquing and analyzing you. It wasn't a fulfilling upbringing from the looks of it.

You say things here for shock value and I understand why. I hope you heal from those things that should have been said but weren't and vice versa.

User Submitted Image

My parents are hippies. They preach treating everyone with love, though my dad doesn’t always apply that sentiment to those closest to him due to his own traumatic upbringing.

My upbringing is not what is driving me down this path. It may be what’s driven me down other paths in life. But not this one.
Posted by Dastard2020

It was the first step.

Do you think you conjured something? If yes, how does one prevent that?


Looking for more ways to endear yourself to the future mother in law. Lol I see you.
Posted by LadyNeptune

Looking for more ways to endear yourself to the future mother in law. Lol I see you.

Hahaha I don’t think I’d have the spine to tell her I’m joining this church. Though she is liberal so she might not care as much as my future father in law who just today shared an image complaining about Democrats letting the TST perform a prayer inside a state capitol.
Posted by Fanta

The thing about Satanism, lol, what a way to start a sentence...anyway, the fact that it took the main antagonist from the Abrahamic religions, one feared and loathed by pretty much everyone in the world, and made him the protagonist makes me feel like the religion is reactionary. I feel like it limits the religion from the start, unless the point is to piss people off.

Posted by Fanta
Posted by Whorpio



Is it long? Can you sum up or nah?
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It’s 3 minutes. It summarizes the intent of TST.
Posted by jukeyThe Joe Pyne show interview really has Anton's feet put to the fire. It's a bit ridiculous, but he holds himself pretty well under pressure

Joe Pyne was a bit of a jerk in that interview. I thought it was fucked up he said it would be great if Antons kids set Anton & his tiger on fire. But I could tell Anton was humored since he was smirking the whole time so I guess no harm no foul.
Posted by Fanta

The documentary looks very interesting.

It is reactionary, but intentional. I see you, Satanists. My biggest question remains unanswered, though. Who is Satan to them?

To the TST he isn’t real. When they yell “hail Satan” they understand it to be a mockery of Christianity. They go so far as to say they feel comfortable yelling it and doing rituals because they don’t actually believe in god/devil/demons so they don’t worry about accidentally summoning bad juju.

But I was researching groups in the city I’ll be moving to and their sect does believe in him so idk.
satanism is actually a gateway to devout christianism for youg WASP edgelords.

Accepting the satanic ideas is a fast way for young edgy suburban normies who want to turn to church-going devout soccer parents in their middle-age, while still looking cool.

they'll say sthg like "I've seen the dark side and I chose the light instead, now I'm not just a sheep like the other people"

You can't believe in satan if you don't also accept all the theist scam as a whole.



User Submitted Image

You don't need to get into the satanic church to do this BTW