Beyond the Brimstone: Why the Church of Satan's 'Eleven Rules' Are Surprisingly Sensible

When you hear the phrase “Church of Satan,” your mind probably conjures images of dark rituals, malevolent spirits, and a wholesale rejection of all things moral. It’s a common reaction, fueled by decades of pop culture and religious fear-mongering. That’s why so many people are shocked when they actually read the organization's core tenets, specifically the “Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth.” Far from a guide to causing chaos, most of the rules are grounded in a philosophy of radical personal responsibility and common sense.

A Foundation of Common Sense

The first few rules sound less like diabolical edicts and more like advice your grandfather might give you. Consider the first two:

1. Do not give opinions or advice unless you are asked.
2. Do not tell your troubles to others unless you are sure they want to hear them.

These rules advocate for social intelligence and respecting others' emotional and mental space. They push back against the modern tendency to overshare and offer unsolicited advice. Rule #3, “When in another’s lair, show him respect or else do not go there,” is simply the golden rule of being a good guest. Rules #9 and #10, which forbid harming children and killing non-human animals (unless for food or in self-defense), directly contradict the caricature of Satanists as agents of pure evil.

The Philosophy of Reciprocity and Self-Preservation

Where the rules start to diverge from conventional morality is in their unapologetic embrace of self-interest and retribution. This is where the “Satanic” element—representing the adversary to traditional, turn-the-other-cheek dogma—becomes clear. Take Rule #4:

If a guest in your lair annoys you, treat him cruelly and without mercy.

And Rule #11:

When walking in open territory, bother no one. If someone bothers you, ask him to stop. If he does not stop, destroy him.

These are jarring. However, within the context of LaVeyan Satanism, they aren't calls for random violence. They are expressions of Lex Talionis, or the law of retaliation. The philosophy posits that your personal space (your “lair”) and your autonomy are sacred. After a clear warning is ignored, a swift and decisive response is justified to protect yourself and your territory. It is the antithesis of passive acceptance. While “destroy him” is deliberately provocative, it's generally interpreted as using whatever force is necessary to neutralize a threat, whether that force is social, financial, or, in extreme cases, physical.

Satan as a Symbol, Not a Deity

To truly understand these rules, it's crucial to know that the Church of Satan, as founded by Anton LaVey in 1966, is an atheistic organization. They do not worship a literal devil. Instead, Satan is used as a symbol of pride, individualism, and rebellion against the repressive doctrines of traditional religions. LaVeyan Satanism is a carnal religion that champions indulgence over compulsion and sees humanity as just another animal, sometimes better, often worse.

Rule #7, regarding the power of magic, fits into this framework. “Magic” in Satanism refers not to supernatural spellcasting but to the art of influencing outcomes through applied psychology and sheer force of will—what they call “Lesser Magic.” The rule is a directive to take credit for your own successes and to not dismiss the power of your own will and actions in shaping your destiny.

Ultimately, the Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth are not a mandate for evil. They are a provocative guide to a life of unapologetic individualism, fierce self-preservation, and responsibility to those who have earned it. While some of the language is intentionally shocking, the underlying message is one of respecting boundaries—both your own and others'—and dealing with the consequences when those boundaries are crossed.

Sources

• The Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth - Church of Satan
• Church of Satan | religion | Britannica