The Church of Satan does not often comment directly on the environment. It doesn't need to; largely, the activities of Satanists are their own business and Church of Satan would have no authority in their actions concerning the environment. It is codified in the writings of Anton LaVey, the founder of Satanism, that Satanism is individualistic and not legalistic or conformist1. Nonetheless it is commonly accepted that there is a background level of codification and proscription, and this simply takes the form of the Church of Satan's description of Satanism. This description is not binding, but it is suggestive of what 'Satanic attitudes' are1, and these attitudes can be applied to the environment. Given these 'ground rules', Satanic arguments can be made for environmentalism. These do not need to be made official or coercive as free-thinking Satanists are capable of reaching their own conclusions. As, however, Satanism is not a popular religion, the basic tenets of Satanism are unknown to laypeople. As such, it is worth describing briefly the basic philosophies of Satanism that lend themselves towards the non-abuse of the environment:
- The Nine Satanic Statements #6: Satan represents responsibility to the responsible.
- The 11 Satanic Rules of the Earth #9: Do not harm little children.
- The 9 Satanic Sins #1: Stupidity is the Cardinal Sin of Satanism.
1. 'Responsibility to the responsible' requires that Satanists consider Humankind to be the arbiters of all things natural. Also, Satanists wish those in power to be the responsible ones. This results in a general green (responsible) attitude in both politics and personal living.
2. Harming the future health of the planet harms our children. We are the guardians of the planet simply because we are the most intelligent and most powerful species and no-one else is capable of avoiding harm to future generations than those alive today. The responsibility falls to no-one else, and failure results in the harming of children - all children.
3. That stupidity is a cardinal sin requires Satanists to examine their own motives, the facts of the world, and the consequences of their actions. Therefore, Satanism is naturally a fact-driven religion with adherents who tend to think in the long-term. This is evidenced by the astute plans and intelligent character of many Satanists. Any long-term plans, in this and in the next generation of adults, must include methods of avoiding cataclysimic damage to the evironment.
Some Christians think that an imaginary being gave us this planet and also that everyone will die in a cataclysmic series of disasters as predicted in Revelations when Jesus returns. It's not surprising that some Christians actively embrace irresponsibility. Consider:
“The famous environmental policy of Ronald Reagan's Secretary of the Interior: 'We don't have to protect the environment, the Second Coming is at hand.'”
"The God Delusion" by Prof. Richard Dawkins, p288
Those who wish to preserve the planet, and therefore foil the doomsday plans of Christians and their God, are Satanic and Earthly. Aren't we a bad bunch?!!
Conclusion
The tenets of Satanism are geared naturally towards environmentalism, although whether or not individual Satanists draw these conclusions or act on them is entirely a personal matter, the religion or philosophy of Satanism has an implicit direction towards environmental protectionism. Short-term energy usage at the expense of long-term planetary health is irresponsible, it harms our children and it is stupid. These run against the 6th Satanic Statement (responsibility to the responsible), the 11th Satanic Rule of the Earth (do not harm children), and the cardinal Satanic Sin (stupidity). It is Satan's personified will that we remain powerful and intelligent (the Prometheus mentality) and we simply can't do that on a crippled planet.