Satansplain

Hear Bill's 2019 interview on an atheism podcast, advice on applying for Church of Satan active membership, and a Satanic anecdote about some Satanists who made some 1980s Satanic Panic outrage work in their favor. 00:00 - Intro 01:20 - Questions about applying for COS membership 02:18 - A rant against shitty writing 05:45 - Be honest, Be patient 07:37 - Satanecdote 10:20 - About Satanism intervie...

Happy Halloween! Answering some listener mail questions on Satanic ritual (from the ritualistic expression of wearing Satanic symbols, to use of the Infernal Names, to finding Satanists for full Satanic group ritual) along with Satanically philosophical takes on "respecting life" and not-so-sincere questions. 00:00 - Intro 02:26 - Seeking out Satanists in Person 06:19 - Infernal Names 11:12 - Ritu...

A deep look into the so-called 7 Fundamental Tenets: the prank group who created them, their history of being changed, why they have nothing to do with Satanism, and how they compare to similar lists created in modern times. Sources: https://web.archive.org/web/20130116090744/http://www.thesatanictemple.com/fundamental-tenets-of-the-satanic-temple/ http://www.atheistmindhumanistheart.com/winners/...

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 ba...

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...

The twilight zone! The outer limits! The X-factor! No, we're not talking about television shows. Rather, a phenomenon called the supernormal. A look into the supernormal and how it differs from the so-called supernatural.   00:00 - Intro 01:33 - Supernatural vs. Supernormal 03:44 - Supernatural claims 07:06 - Why I reject the "supernatural" 08:32 - ...and equally-annoying Reddit Atheists 12:01 - S...

Satansplain #069 - Satanic Sex It's episode sixty-nine. So, let's talk about sex. 00:00 - Intro 01:23 - "We already know, Bill!" Do you? 03:05 - 1969: The Satanic Bible and counterculture 05:10 - The Satanic Bible, "Satanic Sex" (No, we're not here to provide you orgies) 08:22 - "Free Sex" clubs (encounter groups) vs. actual sexual freedom 09:58 - We don't care what you're into, so long as it's wi...

"Satan represents responsibility to the responsible, instead of concern for psychic vampires." That's Satanic Statement number six, the meaning of which is covered in this episode of Satansplain. Also, some emails regarding Satanism and teenagers: the stereotypes versus the ones who "get it". 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Satanic Statement #6 and related essays 05:35 - "Not All Vampires Suck Blood!" 08:58...

Satansplain #067 - Church of Satan: Cosmic Joy Buzzer (1975, 1976) Satansplain explores writings from Anton LaVey from 1975 and 1976, debunking some of the internet myths from deceased devil worshiper Michael Aquino. 00:00 - Intro 01:48 - Internet stories about the 1975 "schism" and the "theistic Satanists" who parrot them 06:12 - "Hoisted By His Own Patois" (introduction) 11:25 - "Hoisted By His...

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...

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 r...

Were the "Good ol' days" really all that "good"? We'll explore Anton LaVey's essay on the topic (spoiler: the answer is, "No!"), and a related college commencement speech from 2024 on the irrationality of claiming collective victim status, paying homage to George Carlin. 00:00 - Intro 00:58 - Satanism and how it relates to this topic 03:56 - "The Good Old Days" by Anton LaVey 20:10 - Satanicdote:...

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 definiti...

Addressing the misconceptions that the QAnon conspiracy theory is the "Satanic Panic 2.0" (it's not; let's keep that way), or that "the Satanic Panic never ended" (it did; let's keep it that way). Also, the difference between personalization and hypocritical self-deceit in the ritual chamber.

There is no "Satanic community". Learn what Satanists mean by this. Also, Bill answers some listener mail about artificial human companions, doctrines of superiority, and an anecdote about one Satanist's conspiracy theorist co-worker.  00:00 - Intro 00:52 - Multiple meanings of the word "community" 05:30 - Why there is no "Satanic Community" 15:50 - Excerpts from "Myth of the Satanic Community" 25...

The 11 Satanic Rules of the Earth! While they're straightforward for most Satanists, Satansplain addresses common questions and misconceptions about things like "lairs", "mating signals", "destroying", "magic", and other details.

Church of Satan Reverend Dave Wallace steps in to interview the team behind the infamous Satanic memes page, "Dr. Vincent Schitz, PhD in Satanic Memes". Hear all about the history of the page, its past and present meme makers, their creative process, and answers to questions submitted by Dr. Schitz fans. Also, visit the new Satansplain store (store.satansplain.com) for Dr. Schitz merchandise!

Bill answers listener mail on elixirs in Satanic ritual, indulgences vs. addictions, Satanists in marriage, and other topics.

Addressing some of the more annoying misinformation out there on Satanic symbols: pentacles vs. pentagrams (no, it's not as simple as which way it points), along with inverted crosses and the number 666 (yes, Satanists can use these).

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.

News on the new film "Realm of Satan"! Also, addressing false claims about serial killer Richard Ramirez and the Church of Satan (no, he was never a member, nor practiced what we believe), and answering listener questions about the Universal Life Church and Satanic weddings, membership privacy, and other topics.

Recently, Artificial Intelligence was used to artificially construct a new comedy special of deceased American comedian George Carlin, titled "I'm Glad I'm Dead". Hear a Satanic perspective on George Carlin, this A.I. creation, and A.I. in general, including the limitations of both A.I. and human intelligence.

"Let's you and him fight!" cry the onlookers who'd like to see Satanists spar with Christians for their public entertainment. Let's not. Also: the Satanic calendar year, the concept of I-Theism, and a surprising email from Nigeria.

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.

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.