French Satanism, Satanism before LaVey? Options

I was surprised recently to hear that, before LaVey came along, Satanism *may* have been practiced in France.

My source cites the 1891 novel "La-Bas," (trans. "The Damned) by J.K. Huysmans, which describes the practice of Satanism in that period-- especially describing in detail the "black mass." He asserts that the novel is based on factual happenings.

Now, it could be that "La-Bas" was a fictional invention entirely. But I haven't read it, and I don't know.

Does anyone have any evidence either way?

This post has been edited by monkman418: Jul 22 2009, 11:05 PM

From what I remember, some of the French nobles used to play act with Black Masses, using nude women as altars before the French Revolution. There was also the Hellfire club in Britain, and probably other groups from time to time back to the middle ages. I think that Ben Franklin was involved in one of those groups while an ambassador. It seems inevitable that if the church is repressive, there will be some people who mock and parody it. But I doubt that these people took this form of satanism seriously as religion. More likely it was just another excuse for getting women naked and having orgies. Anton LeVey didn't originate satanism, he just created another version of it.

Does anyone have any evidence either way?

There's a book that's probably still on the Guttenberg Project website:

DEVIL-WORSHIP IN FRANCE
OR
THE QUESTION OF LUCIFER
A RECORD OF THINGS SEEN AND HEARD IN THE
SECRET SOCIETIES ACCORDING TO THE
EVIDENCE OF INITIATES
BY
ARTHUR EDWARD WAITE
“The first in this plot was Lucifer.”—Thomas Vaughan
LONDON
GEORGE REDWAY
1896

I can't vouch for any accuracy therein - it's in my ever-growing "Need to read this" stack.

There's also evidence that it didn't take much to be "Satanic" in earlier times. The Cathari, for example, who seem to have practiced a form of Gnosticism. The Brethren of the Free Spirit (who were soft of proto-Protestants, hence the Heresy of the Free Spirit).

Anyway, maye that will be of some help. I susepct, however, that it's just a elaboration/expose on the guys Goibniu mentions.

Best,
Hermetic668

I was surprised recently to hear that, before LaVey came along, Satanism *may* have been practiced in France.

My source cites the 1891 novel "La-Bas," (trans. "The Damned) by J.K. Huysmans, which describes the practice of Satanism in that period-- especially describing in detail the "black mass." He asserts that the novel is based on factual happenings.

Now, it could be that "La-Bas" was a fictional invention entirely. But I haven't read it, and I don't know.

Does anyone have any evidence either way?

Before LaVey came along there was even a Satanic Coven here in the USA!

LaVey popularized his form of Atheistic Satanism(though I find it had to call yourself something when you deny belief in the being attachted to it,sorta like..oh i'm a christian but I don't beleive in Christ 0_o<---- look i gave someone when they told me that one).

The fact of the matter is no matter how much the LaVeyans try to change the definition,Satanists before LaVEy cam eon the scene where all Traditional/theistic so some degree or another in their beliefs!

I would assume that it was practiced long before LaVey perhaps he was the only one that really got more attention and got noticed more. I cannot say i have heard anything before LaVey came along although im sure there is some information somewhere out there on it. Sorry i could't be more help i would be interested in this myself.

My assumption is that laVey got his ideas from somewhere perhaps this is some of the places. Interesting topic though.

In getting my M.A., I took a few courses in the history of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic period.

Indeed, many nobles during the Enlightenment performed the "Black Mass." It was an early attempt to undo societal-religious programming inflicted on them by the Catholic and Protestant Churches.

As the French were by-in-large Catholics, the Black Masses performed were parodies of the Catholic Mass, even using stolen Eucharist wafers to mock and blaspheme.

There are many books on the subject and many more are in the works.

Good luck and happy hunting!