LaVey is a sexist dog less creative than L RON HUBBARD FAKE religionists cult inventors

Meh. If the philosophy seems sound then who cares about that ceremony? Take it or leave it. It's more or less symbolic theatrics anyway.

My understanding is that the theatrical nonsense is mostly there to provide the trappings of religion, under the basic idea that someone leaving religion is accustomed to that, and it offers a bit of structure to an otherwise difficult transition away from organized religions.

I personally know a couple of LaVayan satanists; it's pretty much the sentiment they express - that they enjoy the trappings, but it's only the philosophy that actually has any meat to it.