Contrary to Occultist (and undeserved Cult Figure) Aleister Crowley, whose drug-induced “revelations” have about as much credibility as “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” (Yes, I know about the drawing), Anton LaVey actually tried to put forth an intelligent intellectual argument in his conglomeration of mostly other people’s ideas known as ‘The Satanic Bible’. John Doe, from the film ‘Seven’, would likely take issue with LaVey’s stance that the “Seven Deadly Sins” in fact reflect man’s inherently carnal nature and should be embraced, not avoided. Granted, John Doe was an incredibly sick and disgusting character, but what makes ‘Seven’ so scary is that he is perfectly lucid in his explanations, which are rather more articulate than LaVey’s…e.g…
9/6/12: I’m big enough to admit when I’m wrong…I didn’t really understand Crowley when I wrote this. Although I put no faith in his spiritual/theological arguments, nor do I “oppose” them…they are, at least, genuine. Unlike LaVey. And Crowley, while in my opinion quite flawed and, at times, completely incorrect in his non-spiritual musings, was from what I now understand an extremely intelligent man whose one-line philosophy doesn’t mean what many people think it means. As a wise(r) man once said, “Those things that are easily understood are rather shallow.” Unlike LaVey, Crowley was NOT shallow. Now, onward…
Lust:
LaVey: Believed it should be embraced in whatever (consensual, legal) way you wanted, including extramarital affairs and relationship infidelity.
Doe: Although he objects based on the morality of the marriage contract with God, he also seems to think it’s wrong to have sex with someone after you’ve promised someone you supposedly Love that you will always be faithful to them.
Winner: Doe
Pride:
LaVey: Believed that one should be Proud of their accomplishments and abilities, and that Immortality is achieved by performing great deeds on Earth, and being thus remembered.
Doe: Believed that, as was taught in Medieval Times, Pride is a “Sin” even if you don’t believe in the concept of Sin because becoming too full of oneself often leads you to underestimate others and overestimate yourself, and has caused more amazingly stupid defeats than can be counted on all digits (INCLUDING toes).
Winner: Doe
Wrath:
LaVey: Believed that it was proper and just to exercise one’s Wrath upon one’s enemies, assuming (supposedly) it was within the constraints of the Law. A bit of a contradiction, since violence is rarely lawful. Then again, the law hasn’t exactly always been in keeping with truth and justice (See “Slavery”).
Doe: Believed that exercising one’s Wrath upon another was a weakness, something only God had the right to do, and would inevitably lead to your own destruction in one form or another.
Winner: Call it a draw…Revenge rarely leads to happiness or closure, but the law itself is a form of revenge against those who do wrong.
Envy:
LaVey: Believed Envy was a driving force in man trying to achieve one’s goals and obtain things desired.
Doe: Believed that everyone should be content and happy with their place in life, and not want for anything they were not provided with.
Winner: LaVey. From a purely logical standpoint, he makes sense…in moderation.
Sloth:
LaVey: I’m not quite sure how Anton justifies endorsing doing absolutely nothing as part of the basic nature of man. Sad, really, if he believes it is.
Doe: Believed that Sloth (Apathy, laziness) was wrong as a form of omissive destructiveness.
Winner: Doe…I mean, come on.
Greed:
LaVey: Again, as with Envy, believed Greed motivated people to better themselves. Or, to quote Gordon Gecko – “Greed is Good”. Sounds a bit too Capitalistic.
Doe: Believed that Greed motivated people to do things they knew were wrong simply for monetary gain or other relatively meaningless factors.
Winner: Doe. I’m not a BP fan.
Gluttony:
LaVey: Believed that one should indulge one’s appetites as one wished, that it was every person’s right to consume anything they wished (within legal means)
Doe: Believed that it was wrong for people to eat WAY too much food when millions of people are starving to death.
Winner: Doe, although this only applies if the excess food is in fact given TO the people that actually need it. It does no good sitting on store shelves.
After Se7en rounds, the bout goes to Doe, 5 rounds to 1, with one draw. Still a twisted little thing, though.
-Puppy >.< Yip!