Tag: laveyan satanism

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Satansplain #098 – Elon Musk, A.I., and the life of Anton LaVey

Satansplain responds to listener mail on a variety of topics, including a Satanic look at Elon Musk, the power of A.I., the books The Satanic Witch and The Satanic Warlock, joining the Church of Satan, and also dealing with morons bent on “disproving” Anton LaVey’s biography. Plus, a Satanic anecdote from the days of the Satanic Panic.

00:00 – Intro
01:13 – Satanic Witch vs. Satanic Warlock
04:00 – Losers trying to “debunk” LaVey’s biography
09:58 – Satanecdote (Possessed album)
14:59 – Church of Satan and Illegal Activity
21:54 – Elon Musk
27:01 – For the dorks with their hot takes on Elon who won’t listen first
27:20 – Elon Musk (continued)
35:57 – Satanism and A.I.

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Satansplain #092 – “What To Do When Empathy is a Sin”

Bill shares his thoughts on the Church of Satan article “What To Do When Empathy is a Sin”, as somebody who actually read it beyond the headline, along with an email from somebody who seemingly did not.

00:00 – Intro
01:36 – Reminder: “LaVeyan Satanism” is a redundant term
04:12 – The email
08:57 – Oh no! Not ChatGPT! We’re doomed!
14:47 – As long as we’re playing the A.I. game…
16:10 – But first, a side rant
20:46 – And the opposite problem
27:18 – My take on the essay
35:32 – ChatGPT’s lame attempt at the essay
43:36 – Its summary

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Satansplain #072 – Myth of Satanic Denominations (“No, it’s not like Catholics vs. Protestants”, part 2)

Continuing from the previous episode, a look at whether various “Satanic” groups can really be called different denominations of Satanism, with a particular look at groups formed after 1966, especially in the age of the Internet. No, it’s still not analogous to Catholics arguing with Protestants.

00:00:00 – Intro
00:02:15 – Review of episode 71, and why the Catholics vs. Protestants is still a bad analogy
00:07:25 – Why I don’t say “LaVeyan”
00:09:15 – Summary of episode 72, and “de facto Satanists”
00:14:26 – Dictionary argument and “Satanism is just any religion about Satan, right?”
00:18:54 – Summary of After 1966 – Theistic LHP Religions
00:23:04 – The Deism-to-Atheism Conspiracy Theory
00:31:15 – Non-theistic Satanic groups and Cevin Soling’s tax shelter (a.k.a. The Satanic Temple)
00:37:49 – Even more pseudo-Satanic groups I’ve seen
00:41:11 – No, these groups haven’t “evolved” anything
00:45:33 – Eco Satanism example, and collective action
00:48:43 – Rising up / Ecumenicalism
00:51:23 – Other lame reasons, e.g. wanting to do crime
00:55:06 – Other excuses: missing the boat on parts of Satanism, conspiracy theories of “Theistic LaVeyans”
00:57:27 – The Internet and the ease of declaring your own denomination/org
01:00:30 – Closing Remarks

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Satansplain #071 – No, Dummy, It’s Not Like Catholics vs. Protestants (part 1)

Exploring the allegation of Satanism having different “denominations”, why this view is inaccurate, and what’s really going on with these so-called “types of Satanism”. Also, why “gatekeeping Satanism” is a wise and necessary thing.

00:00 – Intro
02:16 – The problem of misinformation
06:32 – Reminder: Non-theistic religions exist, and Satanism is a religion
08:10 – The arguments I hear (re: this episode’s title)
11:26 – The TL;DL Summary (No, these aren’t “denominations of Satanism”)
16:16 – Who is (or gets called) a “Satanist”?
23:12 – What makes a religious denomination? Example: Catholics vs. Protestants
26:31 – Why “It’s like Catholics vs. Protestants!” is a bad analogy
30:31 – The Duck Test (and why it doesn’t work here)
33:15 – Before 1966, continued
36:42 – 1966: The Church of Satan and taking up a pejorative with pride

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Satansplain #063 – The Balance Factor and Satanic Magic

The Balance Factor! Hear how this concept relates to the more broader concept of “magic” in Satanism, which of course means first addressing some misconceptions about Satanic magic itself. Also, answering some listener mail about the “LaVeyan Satanism” misnomer, a history-confused Wiccan, and other questions.

00:00 – Intro

00:56 – Rust’s email

02:06 – What is “The Balance Factor”? Working definition from We Are Satanists.

04:18 – Recap: Satanism is a non-theistic religion and this isn’t supernatural. RTFM.

09:50 – The Balance Factor, and greater magic for “that remaining push needed”

13:38 – The Satanic BIble on “The Balance Factor”

18:12 – Bill’s “ribbon-cutting ceremony” analogy

26:48 – “My Wiccan girlfriend says you should call yourselves ‘neo-Satanists’!”

32:00 – Why the term “LaVeyan Satanism” is a misnomer

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Satansplain #043 – Satanism is Americanism

In a 1971 letter, Anton LaVey declared “Satanism is Americanism”. Hear the full meaning of this, as Magister Bill celebrates July 4th and answers some listener mail himself.

00:00 – Intro
01:17 – About Satanism and politics
04:38 – The world in 1971
05:15 – Original letter
07:31 – LaVey’s reply
10:37 – Letter from a Satanist geologist
12:13 – Letter from Io (list of COS material), announcements
17:55 – “Religious, Not Spiritual”‘; writing inspiration; members-only forums
21:00 – Doctor Who
21:58 – Satanecdote
26:33 – John’s questions (bullshit claims about Carol Lansing, some occult dork claimed as a “Satanist before LaVey” 32:08 – Erin’s email (re: “Religious, Not Spiritual”‘)

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Satansplain #030 – Logic & Fallacies, part 1

Presenting a 2-part special on the topic of logic and fallacies. Here in part 1, we’ll be going over what logic is and isn’t, why Satanists should care about this topic, and finally an introduction to logical fallacies.

Suggested sites:
https://infidels.org/library/modern/constructing-a-logical-argument/
https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com

00:00 – Intro / Why cover this?
06:05 – Why Logic?
08:51 – Logic intro, what logic isn’t, relevance to Satanists
15:40 – What logic is
16:58 – Inductive Reasoning
18:32 – No, it’s not faith
21:38 – Inductive Reasoning, continued
26:31 – Deductive reasoning: propositions & premises
32:27 – Deductive reasoning: Inference & conclusion
32:46 – Deductive reasoning: summary / example / set theory & circles
40:55 – Deductive reasoning: result types
44:03 – Fallacies: Intro
50:33 – Fallacies: Straw Man
52:58 – Fallacies: Personal Incredulity
53:38 – Fallacies: Black & White / Hoyle’s / Argument from Ignorance
59:06 – Fallacies: Shifting the Burden of Proof