At the time Mr LaVey made these observations the tell-a- vision was largely ensconced in our homes. Now we can carry the tell-a-vision in our purses and pockets. We can travel around with the tell-a vision, right in front of our faces. Our real life surroundings matter not.Anton LaVeyWhat's interesting to me, on a personal level, was that over many years I too had observed, and commented on, the television altar in so many peoples homes. The oversized, disproportionate to the room, with all seating facing the ever present tell-a-vision. Very much like the an Altar.Sometimes the tell-a-vision was on a shelf of it's own, perhaps adorned with flowers beside it. Or a candle in a holder. Other times, mounted on the wall. Still with various decorative accoutrements surrounding it. The very thought of it creeped me out, severely.As mentioned on many occasions the tell-a vision doesn't factor much into the day to day life of myself or my family.In case you don't know who Anton LaVey is?Do I personally believe he was a satanist? Not enough information to decide. Perhaps he believed his own promotional material. It seems much more likely to me he was tied to some intelligence agency and was engaging in mkultra type experimentation. Sort of like an Aleister Crowley for the US. His understanding regarding the significance of the tell-a- vision, on a level very few people comprehend still today, informs us he had a far deeper understanding of it's impact and potential to manipulate the masses
“The TV set, or Satanic family altar, has grown more elaborate since the early 50s, from the tiny, fuzzy screen to huge ‘entertainment centers’ covering entire walls with several TV monitors. What started as an innocent respite from everyday life has become in itself a replacement for real life for millions, a major religion of the masses.”
Anton Szandor LaVey, “The Devil’s Notebook”, p. 86
“There are television sets in every home, every restaurant, every hotel room, every shopping mall-now they’re even small enough to carry in your pocket like electronic rosaries. It is an unquestioned part of everyday life. Kneeling before the cathode ray God, with our TV Guide concordance in hand, we maintain the illusion of choice by flipping channels (chapters and verses). It doesn’t matter what is flashing on the screen-all that’s important is that the TV stays on.”
Anton Szandor LaVey, “The Satanic Bible”, p. 84
“Instead of obeying the holy bible, right or wrong, TV advertising now instructs what to buy and what not to buy. Atheism wasn’t tolerated when scriptural dictates were in fashion and accepted as the Word. Now, thanks to Satanic infiltration, it’s safe to say, ‘I don’t believe in God.’ But modern heresy-not conforming to a television lifestyle, not accepting television truths-is liable to be punished with as much righteous enthusiasm as ever.”
Anton Szandor LaVey, “The Devil’s Notebook”, p. 86 A brief digression: Not conforming to a television lifestyle is indeed met with such self righteous condemnation- I've experienced it. No cable. No satellite. No knowledge of popular shows- I've actually been asked "Well what do you do then?" As if I have three heads, two mouths and five eyes. My response: Plenty!
"The birth of TV was a magical event foreshadowing its satanic significance. The first commercial broadcast was aired on Walpurgisnacht, April 30th, 1939, at the New York World's Fair. Since then, TV's infiltration has been so gradual, so complete that no one even noticed. People don't need to go to church any more; they get their morality plays on television."
Walpurgisnacht: The Night of the Witches
On April 30th, witches gathered to cause general mischief and evil, and so traditions formed out of driving away said evil.
You may have noticed that Walpurgisnacht falls exactly half a year apart from Halloween – this is not a coincidence. Halloween happens on the same date as the Gaelic celebration of Samhain, and beginning at midnight on May 1st is Beltane; these festivals marked both the changes of seasons as well as the dates where the veil between our world and the world of spirits is thinnest. You could consider all of these holidays to be related; in their recognized dates, themes, and celebrations
I'm certain there is no coincidence that the first commercial tell-a- vision broadcast occurred on this auspicious day- Walpurgisnacht