*buzz* I wouldn't say he's a Satanist, per se. I will admit, a LaVeyan Satanist would be a "good" way to describe him, but it's not entirely accurate. LaVeyan Satanism has a total disdain for worshiping Satan altogeher. It's more of that "god and satan are inside of you, so worship yourself" deal. When people think of Satanism, they think of Black Masses and animal sacrifice and upside down pentacles and such. Sure, Manson has a disdain for the church. Who doesn't nowadays. And the album name Antichrist Superstar definitley shows his disdain for the church. But he didn't willingly become a reverend in LaVey's church. LaVey handed him that card. And, hell yeah, I would have gone to meet LaVey. That would have been interesting. Almost as interesting as meeting Charles Manson. But just because someone makes allusions to Manson [oh look, I've made a connection] doesn't make them part of the Manson Family, now does it? So why would an encounter with LaVey automatically make him a Satanist. I still say the best determination for Manson would be athiest, or at least agnostic borderline athiest. But that's getting off of the point. I wonder who else is going.
He didn't just go and meet LaVey. He actually claims to be a Satanist. Or did. I saw a recent interview with Stanton LaVey, as well, where he talked about Manson's Satanism.
I don't ever recall Manson claiming to be a Satanist. But he does do that whole, worshiping of himself thing pretty wel Iunno, last time I recalled, he was denying he was a Satanist, and that during his visit circa Antichrist, he was handed the card being named a reverend, and that was it. I'm pretty sure Manson has a disdain for almost every religion claiming to be a church and having a bible. I could be slightly off base, but I don't think he's ever admitted to being a Satanist.
I have heard him claim to be one, but I've also known him to say things and change his mind later as he feels differently. He was just handed the card, and it didn't really mean anything. I know what you're saying, but I have heard him claim to be one, as well. Even in his autobiography he went into it a little bit, but that's not what I'm referencing. Not that it really matters, I guess. LaVeyan Satanism is what I would consider Satanism, anyway, because anything else is just ridiculously stupid.
I think LaVeyan Satanism shouldn't even be called Satanism at all. "Oh look. There is no such thing as god or satan." Sounds alot like Anton was just trying to make some money off of athiesm under a fanciful and controversal name. Hey! So did Manson! I seriously think that the whole "Antichrist Superstar" and "Holy Wood" and 'satanism' and Manson thing is all just a big sign saying HEY LOOK, IM BOTHERING YOU AND YET YOU PAY ME LOTS OF MONEY. He is so just going "I'm a weirdo. I bother you. I make you concerned. I make millions off of your idiocy." Or maybe thats the prejudiced NIN fan in me talking.