satancon

 In this episode of Satanists Nextdoor, Tommy and Lilin tackle 2024, a year that's shaping up to be a focus on the battleground against theocracy. Kicking off with the Executive Ministry's statement on postponing SatanCon to 2025, they discuss the community's response - a blend of unity and determination to strengthen TST's mission.

Tommy and Lilin don't shy away from the hard-hitting issues: LGBTQIA+ rights, reproductive rights, and the looming threat of theocratic policies. They call for proactive engagement and collective action to safeguard personal freedoms and the separation of church and state.

This episode is more than just a discussion; it's a rallying cry for Satanists and allies to come together, to be politically active, and to shape a future that honors autonomy and diversity. It's a reminder that in the face of adversity, the Satanic community stands united, ready to face the challenges of 2024 head-on. Hail Satan!

In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss the alarming rise in popularity of Satanism, and those who consider themselves to be part of the Satanic Temple. While the vast majority of members are essentially atheistic “believers” (meaning they do not actually worship Satan), Satan is still being upheld as a symbol of free expression and opposition to injustice among other things. You may be surprised to find out just how widespread this is….

Episode Links

In his latest book Hybrid Church: Rethinking the Church for a Post-Christian Digital Age, Dr. White writes about the transition from Christendom to “humandom” that has fueled the post-Christian world that we find ourselves in today. The idea that we don't need to answer to a higher power, but rather should allow reason to be our guide is what draws so many people to Satanism. Not only that, it's what draws them to cults, conspiracies, and even the world of the occult. Check out these past podcasts for more on these topics:

CCP64: On Cults and Conspiracy Theories

CCP58: On Your Horoscope and Starbucks

CCP35: On Scientology

CCP11: On Wicca

There are several stories that have been in the news of late related to this topic that were mentioned during today's conversation, particularly about the “SatanCon” gathering and the mess that Target has landed themselves in. Here are three recent articles to check out:

Camille Fine, “SatanCon: World's ‘Largest Gathering of Satanists' Hails Diversity, Fellowship,”
USA Today, May 3, 2023.

Abigail Anthony, “Target Partners with Satanist Brand to Create Items for ‘PRIDE' Collection,”
National Review, May 22, 2023.

Niha Masih and Jaclyn Peiser, “Target Pulls Some LGBT+ Items Days After CEO Talks Up Inclusivity,”
The Washington Post, May 24, 2023.

For those of you who are new to Church & Culture, we'd love to invite you to subscribe (for free of course) to the twice-weekly Church & Culture blog and check out the Daily Headline News - a collection of headlines from around the globe each weekday.

Perhaps you haven’t noticed, but lately a movement known as the Satanic Temple is on the rise, with congregations all over the world, and groups popping up throughout Canada over the last three years.

At their annual sold-out Satanic Conferences, titled SATANCON, they teach: demonology, how to get satanic clubs into the schools, and how to raise children in a satanic household.

They say: “…we see Lucifer as being that eternal rebel within all of us. Satanists adhere to the principle of individual sovereignty.”

The Christian worldview, on the other hand, is faithfully different.