 The Satanic Bible is a collection of essays , observations , and rituals published by Anton LaVey in 1969 . It contains the core principles of Satanism , and is considered the foundation of its philosophy and dogma . It has been described as the most important document to influence contemporary Satanism . Though The Satanic Bible is not considered to be sacred scripture in the way the Christian Bible is to Christianity , LaVeyan Satanists regard it as an authoritative text as it is a contemporary text that has attained for them scriptural status . It extols the virtues of exploring one 's own nature and instincts . Believers have been described as " atheistic Satanists " because they believe that God is not an external entity , but rather something that each person creates as a projection of his or her own personality — a benevolent and stabilizing force in his or her life . There have been thirty printings of The Satanic Bible , through which it has sold over a million copies . 
