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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 #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

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Satansplain #028 – Joining non-Satanic organizations, Church of Satan policy on crime, why Satanic Temple sucks

Bill reads some listener mail, covering topics such as Satanists joining non-Satanic organizations, the Church of Satan’s policy regarding illegal activity, and oh yeah, why The Satanic Temple sucks.

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Satansplain #027 – The 2015 Starbucks Red Cup and 2022 Ye (Kanye West) Controversies

With Christmas approaching, Bill reflects back on the 2015 Starbucks “red cup” controversy, which may offer a Satanic lesson on the zeitgeist, including the recent media hoopla on “Ye” Kanye West.

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Satansplain #025 – Illuminati Believers in Nigeria

Why do so many people from Africa, especially Nigeria, mistakenly believe Satanists are the Illuminati? And that we’re hiring? Satansplain investigates.

Selected sources:

00:00 – Intro
00:50 – A special message to residents of Africa (especially Nigeria)
03:04 – Joining a Satanic organization will not guarantee you wealth
05:10 – We don’t want you if you don’t already understand Satanism
05:32 – We do not tolerate scams (and neither should you)
06:36 – We don’t have branches/chapters and don’t need them
08:23 – Summary
11:59 – Dealing with messages from Nigeria
15:51 – It happens offline too
17:11 – …and is older than the Internet
18:07 – People conflating Freemasonry / Illuminati / Satanism / wealth
19:53 – Satanism and Freemasonry (and propaganda)
20:16 – Freemasons, the mythical Illuminati, and the defunct Illuminati
23:31 – The ironically Satanic take
24:52 – Why Nigeria? Some not-so-great explanations.
27:00 – “Mud huts” don’t have the Internet, dummy
29:30 – The 419 Scam
37:54 – Nigerian “church” scams
42:33 – Why Nigeria? Some statistics
45:00 – Freedom of religion vs. state religion
46:00 – Religiosity in Nigeria
47:05 – Nigeria and language
47:55 – Nigeria GDP vs. Human Development Index
49:02 – Summary

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Satansplain #022 – Satanic Ritual, Altar Tools 101

Satanic ritual! Are too many Satanists rejecting its formal practice, based on misconceptions? Is it as daunting of a task as some newcomers to Satanism perceive it to be? Addressing the choice (not) to ritualize, plus Satanic Altar tools 101.