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Satansplain #066 – 1966, The Black Flame, Get a Life!

The number 66 may not be 666, but it does prompt us to take a look at the year 1966, with the book “We Are Satanists” offering much insight into the foundation of the Church of Satan. We’ll also hear Anton LaVey’s later message to the scavengers and detractors of what he established (“Get a life!”), and the meaning of “the black flame”.

00:00 – Intro
03:20 – On (not) joining the COS: valid reasons and invalid reasons
09:41 – More lame reasons we hear
12:28 – Anton LaVey: “Get a Life” essay
16:13 – Santecdote
20:48 – Will AI replace comedians?
23:11 – The Black Flame
27:47 – Excerpts from “We Are Satanists” (and misuse of “Anton”)
30:15 – “Anton LaVey invented Satanism”
32:40 – All religion founders had their influences
34:21 – More from “We Are Satanists”

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Satansplain #065 – Satanism vs. Humanism

A look at Satanism and humanism, their similarities and more importantly their differences. Though to do that, we’ll have to first unpack some bigger topics, such as what makes a religion a religion in the first place. Also, some listener mail about Satanists and social media, as well as Satanic baptisms.

00:00 – Intro
01:21 – The Satanic Bible: “Humanism is not a religion”
02:27 – Satanism is a religion. Non-theistic religions exist. Yes, really.
05:16 – Atheism is not a religion. Neither is monotheism.
06:18 – Dogma: Why the Boy Scouts is not a religion
08:32 – The Dogma of Satanism
10:44 – What do we mean by “Humanism” / Renaissance humanism
13:27 – Secular humanism
15:33 – Similarities: Atheism and Freethought
17:24 – How Satanism and secular humanism differ (myth of “The Greater God”, etc.)
29:09 – Satanists on (or aren’t on) social media
33:40 – Satanecdote: Spam from da Hood
35:35 – Getting a Satanic baptism
40:22 – Bill M. is Marq Torien?

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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 #056 – Past Occultism, 7 Hermetic Principles, Creationism

Occultism of the past! The 7 Hermetic Principles! The cosmic questions of human origin! Hear why none of these things are really applicable to Satanism.

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Satansplain #052 – Christmas Myths

With the Christmas season comes a lot of popular Christian myths. And they’re hardly limited to the holiday’s pagan origins. Also, answering some listener mail about fear of other people’s beliefs, and Satanic ritual protocol.

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Satansplain #051 – Fine, Let’s Play the Dictionary Game

To those who would try to use the dictionary to discredit Satanism: Fine, let’s play the dictionary game. Also, Bill answers some questions about Satanic altars and selectively dealing with trolls on-line.

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Satansplain #049 – Satanic Ritual, Part 2

The topic of Satanic ritual continues in part 2, with answers to questions on the standard 13 Step ritual, the use of archetypes and ritual mudras, the psychodramatic mindset, and Satanic group rituals.

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Satansplain #048 – Satanic Ritual, part 1

Despite ritual being an integral part of Satanism, misconceptions still persist, even among some Satanists. Enjoy part 1 of a special two-episode exploring Satanic ritual. Happy Halloween!

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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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Episode #013 – Luciferianism?

What exactly is Luciferianism, and how does it really differ from Satanism? And why does the topic make less sense the more you try to read about it? Also, The Satanic Playing Cards, “Satanecdotes”, recent podcast appearances, and a 3rd-side revisit to political “wokeness”.