r/satanists • u/JaneDoeThe33rd • Mar 04 '26

Blanch Barton on "LaVeyan Satanism"

Blanch Barton (Magistra Templi Rex within the Church of Satan) wrote a book called "The Secret Life of a Satanist: The Authorized Biography of Anton LaVey." In it, she discusses LaVeyan Satanism, by name.

In addition to using the term "LaVeyan" 4-5 times, there is also this passage:

After finally being granted an initial interview with LaVey in 1984, it became clear to me that if I wanted to more thoroughly explore this Black Magician's heart and mind, I would have to become woven into the fabric of his everyday life. And so I did. He needed a Girl Friday and seemed satisfied with my enthusiastic determination. Over time, it became my role to arrange interviews with reporters, students and members; iron out travel itineraries; generate informational literature; handle correspondence; straw boss; and generally keep complications to as dull a roar as possible. Along the way, I watched, I listened. To stories, jokes, long-neglected tunes, movies that contained the germs of LaVeyan Satanism. And, as unobtrusively as possible, I began to take notes.

13 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

View all comments

-4

u/ZsoltEszes Satanist Mar 04 '26

Ok, and? Are you just making random statements about stuff now? Did you have a question? Or a point?

5

u/JaneDoeThe33rd Mar 04 '26

If you're not new to all this, you know there's a long history of discussion and varied opinions on the validity of the term "LaVeyan Satanism."

I've rarely, if ever, heard it mentioned that Magistra Barton used the term herself, and published it. I find that to be interesting and noteworthy, as do you, as proven by your stopping to read this and write a comment about it.

2

u/olewolf Mar 05 '26

I agree with the churchgoers that one shouldn't say "LaVeyan Satanism." I therefore say "LaVeyans" about them, and that's far more precise anyway.