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Satansplain #040 – Spotlights, Dimbulbs, and Shine

Satansplain celebrates its first anniversary with “Spotlights, Dimbulbs, and Shine”, a special talk that was presented only at the Church of Satan’s 50th anniversary gathering in 2016. Magister Bill shares his own observations concerning members who’ve come in and out of the spotlight over the years, the dimbulbs who don’t get Satanism, and how Satanists might maximize their potential.

00:00 – Intro
05:13 – Overview
11:22 – Spotlights
20:53 – Dimbulbs
42:38 – Shine

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Satansplain #038 – The Satanic Mass (1968)

Before The Satanic Bible, before heavy metal, there was “The Satanic Mass”. Explore the history and content of this infamous 1968 album, recorded and released by the Church of Satan.

Download the album & liner notes for free:
https://www.churchofsatan.com/music-by-anton-szandor-lavey/

Hymn of the Satanic Empire (includes sheet music & tablature):
https://www.churchofsatan.com/hymn-of-satanic-empire/

Satanic Mass essay:
https://www.churchofsatan.com/the-satanic-mass/

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Satansplain #037 – Anton LaVey and the FBI in 1980, listener mail

In 1980, Anton LaVey was brought to the FBI’s attention on completely fabricated accusations against him. Some idiots today still make a big to-do out of this obscure absurdity. Bill addresses this and answers listener mail, with some questions on pseudo-satanism, comments on some of the more recent episodes, a crazy Satanic anecdote, and more.

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Satansplain #036 – Colored Sigils and other early 1970s oddities from the Church of Satan

Back in the early 1970s, the Church of Satan experimented with different hierarchy standards, from color-coded medallions to multiple ceremonial titles, eventually scrapping what didn’t work and keeping what did. Internal newsletters from the day share some insight into what that was like.

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Satansplain #035 – Marilyn Manson, Marijuana, and Satanism

Answering listener mail about Marilyn Manson, marijuana, and other topics. Also, Bill gives his thoughts on his recent appearance on Comedy Central’s “Tooning Out The News”.

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Satansplain #034 – A Medicine for Melancholy (1992, 2023)

We’re living in some crazy times. What is a Satanist to make of it? A look back at Anton LaVey’s 1992 essay, “A Medicine for Melancholy”, and some surprising insight it offers for today.

00:00 – Intro

01:16 – Relevant Re-reading

03:36 – Religion during hard times

05:40 – Recap: Yes, Satanism is a religion. Really.

07:26 – Don’t be afraid of the “d” word

09:12 – Clown World, subjective jadedness

15:13 – “Demoralization Process”

16:45 – “A Medicine for Melancholy, or How to Avoid the D.P.s”

20:35 – LaVey’s 3 suggestions

27:18 – Comments on the essay, Nostalgia, ‘Member Berries

32:05 – Being a hipster vs. avoiding the D.P.s

33:05 – Bill’s argument for physical media

40:15 – Choices vs. indulgence

41:46 – Dangers of impulsion & compulsion

44:27 – “Instant gratification” and long-term indulgence

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Satansplain #033 – Satanism and “journalists”

Gabriella Swerling of the Telegraph contacts the Church of Satan for an article on the “rise of Satanism”, only to completely ignore what we said and print bullshit instead. A look at Satanism vs. the world of incompetent clickbait journalists (including Vice, of course). Also, The Satanic Temple rightfully and expectedly loses another frivolous lawsuit against its ex-members.

00:00 – Intro
01:28 – Review of Satansplain basics
05:34 – Why yes, I am a gatekeeper, thank you.
08:01 – Once again, no: it’s not a No True Scotsman fallacy.
09:22 – Why I’m looking at the Telegraph
12:05 – Why Vice sucks
13:42 – Vice’s “Guest Pass” message and our reply
19:33 – Satanacdote: Lamb of God hat / Bad Religion sticker
24:32 – I may make an appearance on Comedy Central. We’ll see.
25:13 – Gabriella’s message to the COS
27:41 – The COS replies back to Gabriella
35:28 – What the Telegraph wrote
51:48 – Recap on journalists
52:32 – Satanic Temple loses another SLAPP suit against Queersatanic (including Bill’s description of what a SLAPP suit is)
56:12 – SLAPP suit article, continued

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Satansplain #032 – Inclusion, Exclusion, and Calendars

Hear why Satanism shouldn’t be included in “inclusivity” efforts. Also the basics of the Satanic calendar system, and the folly of trying to exclude certain parts of Satanism from the rest.