I read this just because. While it's a lot more lively and better-written than the Bible, I can't bring myself to agree with everything he says. It's kind of a more selfish and bombastic version of Wicca, which basically says, "Do you what you want, as long as it harms none," and sees the god and goddess as metaphors. Satanism basically says, "Do what you want, good or bad, just be prepared for the consequences." It doesn't really advocate for empathizing with others or meeting people halfway, and as such, is just as non-nuanced as Christianity. Most of it, like Wicca, is just for show and ceremony, but I just can't bring myself to chant and worship a metaphor, whether that metaphor be nature (Wicca) or myself (Satanism). It's pointless, really.

The first half of the book is basically Lavey's worldview, and he really chews the scenery. The second half then devolves into spells and incantations and a whole bunch of other fake woo. It's just kind of stupid. Magic is not real, and thinking really hard about something and calling it spellcasting will not produce a physical change in any real sense. Lavey does bring up a few good points about embracing our humanity as opposed to being ashamed of it as Christianity teaches, which is the main gist of the movement, but his message is so mired in goofy, emo-teenager imagery and angst that's not worth slogging through.