Image of Baphomet, art by Eliphas Levi/color by David B. Pearson, originally published in “Le Serpent de la Genèse: Le Temple de Satan” by Stanislas de Guaita (1891), (PD)
According to Wikipedia, satanism is a collection of religious, ideological, and/or philosophical beliefs centered on Satan, most especially his veneration [1]. But there are variations on this which do not worship Satan as a deity.
According to the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property, there are approximately 4 million self-proclaimed satanists in the United States [2]. In an increasingly secular society, interest in satanism is part of the growing interest in pagan religions, particularly among Millennials and members of Generation Z [3A].
Growth of Modern Satanism
In the United States, interest in the occult increased exponentially during the 1970s [4].
“LaVey’s teachings rejected the worship of Satan as a deity, opting instead for a symbolic representation of humanity’s carnal nature and the rejection of traditional religious constraints [5A].”
The Church of Satan was founded by Anton LaVey in 1966 around “individualism, self-indulgence, and personal empowerment,” as its website proudly declares [5B]. In this view, the carnal nature of man is his “true” nature. LaVey was, also, the author of the Satanic Bible.
The Church of Satan and the Satanic Temple are two distinct entities [5C]. The Satanic Temple was founded in 2012 by Lucien Greaves and Malcolm Jarry. It is recognized as a religion by the IRS, though it describes itself as “nontheistic” and prioritizing human logic. Unlike the Church of Satan, the Satanic Temple is known for trolling the religious Right [6][7].
Tenets
The tenets of the Satanic Temple are likely to be surprising to most Christians:
- One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accord with reason.
- The struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions.
- One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone.
- The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo one’s one.
- Beliefs should conform to one’s best scientific understanding of the world. One should never distort scientific facts to fit one’s beliefs.
- People are fallible. If one makes a mistake, one should do one’s best to rectify it and resolve any harm that might have been caused.
- The spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written or spoken word [3B].
Many of these are concepts taken from the Bible, but distorted to focus on self. Of course, the definitions of “compassion” and “empathy” differ radically as between Christians and satanists. The Satanic Temple, for instance, has a telehealth abortion clinic, and claims the availability of chemical abortion (the abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol) is a religious right [15].
Satanic culture invariably promotes transgressive sexual expression, deliberately challenging social norms [16].
Political Activism
Unlike the Church of Satan, the Satanic Temple engages with political and social issues. For instance, when Arkansas installed a statue of the Ten Commandments outside the State Capitol, the Temple unveiled a statue of Baphomet, the goat-headed cultural symbol for satanism, and won the right to display it [8].
The Satanic Temple uses situations like this to contest what it sees as the growing “encroachment” of religion on public life. Christianity is acceptable (at least for now), if it remains a matter of private belief only.
School Chaplains
In 2023 and 2024, conservative lawmakers in at least 16 states proposed legislation allowing religious chaplains to serve as counselors in public schools, the goal for many being Christian chaplains though most bills did not specify [9][10].
In the majority of these states, the measures fell short as contrary to the separation of church and state mandated by the First Amendment [11A]. Under the US Constitution, the government cannot mandate a religion. In Texas, chaplains, themselves, campaigned against the measure, pointing out that they have not been trained or licensed as mental health professionals [11B]. In Utah, the possibility of satanic “chaplains” was enough to defeat the legislation [12].
Satan’s Appeal
“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”
–CS Lewis
Satan can be especially appealing in times of despair, when God is silent. If evil seems to predominate in the world, some may be tempted to worship at its altar. After all, God seems powerless.
Those who feel rejected by organized religion may, also, fall prey to Satan. More than half of satanists identify as LGBTQ+ [13]. That is tragic. These are wounded souls, headed for destruction.
Satanism – whatever attractive guise its proponents may adopt – is aligned with Satan and his false teachings [14]. Satan was and is the father of lies, a murderer from the outset (John 8: 44).
Scripture advises vigilance against satanic influence and such practices as idolatry and necromancy, associated with it, for the struggle is not merely physical. It is spiritual (Eph. 6: 12). And it has eternal consequences.
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[1] Wikipedia, “Satanism”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satanism.
[2] American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP), “The Occult and Satanism in America” by Rex Teodosio, 10/29/15, https://www.tfp.org/the-occult-and-satanism-in-america/.
[3A and 3B] Daily Mail, “The Rise of Satanism in America: How members of the Satanic Temple focus on activism, religious pluralism but surprisingly NOT devil worship – as leaders are plagued by death threats and infighting” by Sheila Flynn, 1/21/19, https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-6616577/The-rise-Satanism-America-members-dont-ACTUALLY-worship-devil-push-activism.html.
[4] Time, “The Evolution of Modern Satanism in the United States” by Lily Rothman, 7/27/15, https://time.com/3973573/satanism-american-history/.
[5A, 5B, and 5C] Church of Satan, “Exploring the Differences between the Church of Satan and the Satanic Temple: A Beginner’s Guide to Satanic Beliefs” by https://churchofsatan.com/.
[6] Satanic Temple, Official Website, https://thesatanictemple.com/ .
[7] BBC, “The Satanic Temple: Think You Know about Satanists? Maybe You Don’t” by Rebecca Seales, 5/19/23, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65549975.
[8] Satanic Temple, “The Satanic Temple Wins Historic Ten Commandments Lawsuit in Arkansas”, https://thesatanictemple.com/blogs/news/the-satanic-temple-wins-historic-baphomet-v-10-commandments-monument-case-in-arkansas.
[9] K12 Dive, “Bills allowing chaplains in public schools gain steam” by Naaz Modan, 8/26/24, https://www.k12dive.com/news/school-chaplain-bills-2023-2024-louisiana-texas-florida/725166/.
[10] Above the Law, “There’s a Multistate Trend of Public Schools Replacing Guidance Counselors with Pastors” by Chris Williams, 2/29/24, https://abovethelaw.com/2024/02/theres-a-multistate-trend-of-public-schools-replacing-guidance-counselors-with-pastors/.
[11A and 11B] Youth Today, “Chaplains could soon come into Florida schools, but other red states are rejecting the move” by Jackie Llanos, 5/13/24, https://youthtoday.org/2024/05/chaplains-could-soon-come-into-fl-public-schools-but-other-red-states-are-rejecting-the-move/.
[12] NBC, “As conservatives put religion in schools, Satanists want in, too” by Tyler Kingkade, 5/16/24, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/satanic-temple-christian-nationalism-school-chaplains-rcna151276.
[13] Pulpit and Pen, “More than Half of American Satanists Identify as LGBTQ”, 8/30/19, https://pulpitandpen.org/2019/08/30/more-than-half-of-american-satanists-identify-as-lgbtq/.
[14] Open Bible, “Satanism”, https://www.openbible.info/topics/satanism.
[15] Petrie-Flom Center, “The Satanic Temple Asserts Medication Abortion Is A Religious Right” by Prof. Katherine Drabiak, 2/9/24, https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2024/02/09/the-satanic-temple-asserts-medication-abortion-is-a-religious-right/.
[16] Academia, “Cult of Carnality: Sexuality, Eroticism, and Gender in Contemporary Satanism” by Per Faxneld, 2014, https://www.academia.edu/129862959/Cult_of_Carnality_Sexuality_Eroticism_and_Gender_in_Contemporary_Satanism.
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More
https://avoicereclaimed.com
“God the Father” by Pierre Mignard (after 1664), National Gallery of Art, Source/Photographer https://www.the-athenaeum.org/art/detail.php?ID=87552 (PD-Art, PD age)
“YOU HAVE LOVED ME
Though exiled from Eden and rebellious Not willing to be my brother’s or sister’s Keeper, even when their blood cried out To You from earth to heaven for vengeance, You still marked me in my banishment Showing all that, despite my guilt, You have loved me.
Even when I sold my brother into slavery And famine seized all in the land You used my sin to raise him up with power That he might show mercy to me, a sinner, Feeding me and filling my greatest hunger For reunion and community, proving again You have loved me.
Delivering me from slavery’s cruel chains, With mighty signs and miracles, You heard My plea and answered by calling me To terrible freedom where out of fear I erected idols in Your place and longed To return to the security of old ways and still You have loved me.
When thirst and shame forced me To draw water in the heat of day, You came Offering to quench the longings of my heart With spirit and truth. Overcome by Your Acceptance of our differences, I ran to tell Others of Your mercy, not daring to believe You have loved me.
Along the way I anointed Your feet, Wiped Your face, helped carry Your cross, Wept for Your fate, listened as You cried out Against God’s abandonment and watched You die, and taking into my arms Your body Bruised and bloodied, I realized at last You have loved me.
You opened my ears to hear the cry Of the lowly, my eyes to see their suffering, My hands to help free the oppressed, My heart to break for the least of these Brothers and sisters, for they are You Compelling me to love the poor because You have loved me.”
–Joseph Veneroso, Maryknoll Missionary [1]
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[1] Maryknoll Magazine, Spring 2026, pp. 3-4, “You Have Loved Me by Joseph Veneroso, MM.
Campfire, Author Dirk Beyer (Reuse Permission GNU Free Documentation License, CC BY-SA 2.5), (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported)
The following is based on a program with the British biochemist Michael Denton titled “Fire Maker” by the Discovery Institute Center for Science and Culture https://www.discovery.org/b/fire-maker/ (7/18/16).
Mankind’s mastery of fire led, over the centuries, to metallurgy and the production of tools, weapons, and ultimately modern technology – everything from the printing press, steam turbine, and combustion engine, to the phone, TV, and computer chip.
Earth is the only known planet designed both to support fire and a creature capable of harnessing fire’s power. A multitude of carefully calibrated conditions had to be met before this could happen.
- Our planet had to have an atmosphere capable of sustaining both combustion and respiration. This required Nitrogen and Oxygen in precise proportions, at precise pressures.
- Our planet had to be rocky and just the right size. Larger planets like the gas giants retain their primeval atmosphere, inclusive of Hydrogen and Helium, because of their strong gravity. Smaller planets allow Oxygen molecules to float off into space because of their weak gravity.
- The right fuel had to be available to generate fire with sufficient heat to work metals. Iron smelting, for instance, requires temperatures in excess of 2100 degrees Fahrenheit. Burning grass or branches alone would not provide this. Coal and/or charcoal were necessary, and their existence was dependent on the presence of large woody plants. In turn, those were only made possible by the presence of Lignans which strengthen cell walls (allowing plants to grow taller), and slow the breakdown of organic material (enriching the soil).
- A living being of just the right body size and design was needed to make and regulate fire. An android body shape and dexterous hands like man’s were necessary.
- Muscles of the right strength, fast conducting nerves, and nerves of the right diameter like man’s were, also, necessary.
- Finally, nature had to be seeded with elements and compounds having properties that could be unleashed by fire. Metals like iron and copper exist in abundance on earth, and can be obtained from ore without great difficulty. Not all planets meet this criterion.
PDW C100 drone, Norio Training Area, GA, Source US Army National Guard (ID No. 250802-Z-SE118-7586), Author Sgt. 1st Class Brittany Conley of US Army National Guard (PD as work product of US federal govt.)
Communist China is known to take extreme measures to regulate its Uyghur population, one of over 50 ethnic minorities in the country [1][2][3].
Surveillance has been essential to enforcement of these measures. CNN reports that China is now using artificial intelligence (AI) to surveil and hold sway over its population at large [4A]. Lest you feel superior, America is not far behind.
Surveillance in China
There are some 600 million security cameras in use in China (approximately 3 for every 7 men, women, and children).
A. Authoritarian AI
“[One source indicates] Chinese authorities use algorithms to predict people’s actions, forecasting protests, flagging what authorities call ‘abnormal behavior.’ Even claiming to monitor the emotional state of prison inmates to stop dissent before it ever happens [4B]”
Experts refer to this as “authoritarian AI”, i.e. technology designed to monitor a population; maintain control over it; and, in some instances, act without the need for human intervention.
B. Policing and Military Use of AI
CNN, also, reports that China is developing AI-controlled weapons which may one day soon be able to coordinate, adapt, and continue attacking their intended targets (whether internal or external) without human commands. Evidently, these will include drones capable of swarming like insects, or hunting like hawks and other predators.
Robotic police direct traffic in real time today.
A trend has been developing with militias, conspiracy groups like Veterans on Patrol, and white supremacists like Active Club briefly responding to disasters in order to be seen providing relief when their photos are posted online. This is now termed “disaster tourism”.
The goal of these hate groups (many of which are antisemitic, as well as racist) is to soften their image, recruit new members, and spread misinformation about the government. Unlike religious groups like Samaritan’s Purse, they intentionally do not coordinate with authorities in the areas where floods, fires, tornadoes, or other disasters have occurred, instead interfering with official relief efforts.
Russia and China likewise exploit natural disasters in the United States to spread misinformation about the government. Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a role in this. Heart-wrenching images are created to suggest the government has turned a blind eye.
Social media influencers like Nick Fuentes and Dan Bilzerian, also, play a role in spreading hate and distrust of the government. Bilzerian is, in fact, running for Congress in Florida’s 6th District.
Democracy cannot survive such an onslaught, unless concerned citizens educate themselves, refuse to be manipulated, and make an affirmative decision to reject hate.
“Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly” (Prov. 26: 24-26).
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More
https://avoicereclaimed.com
Photographers and reporters at news conference, Source/Photographer E911a, (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)
From traditional newspapers and radio or television broadcasts to the latest news feeds online, our news media are filled with negativity. We hear and read constantly about what is wrong with the world. And there is a great deal of it.
But to make matters worse, that is coupled with the criticism and pessimism of journalists, commentators, and influencers (not to mention their bias, distortions, and outright lies).
Daily – even hourly – bombarded with this, we necessarily become jaded, developing calluses as a matter of self-defense. One murder, one rape, one mass shooting blends into the next. Political scandals drag on and on, milked for everything they are worth. And all the while the world grows darker.
Little wonder that we grow weary. As Christians, however, we have reason to be joyful. Read more…
Bald eagle about to fly, Kachemak Bay, Alaska, Source About to Launch https://www.flickr.com/photos/andymorffew/26075320352/, Andy Morffew of Itchen Abbas, Hampshire, UK, (CC Attribution 2.0 Generic)
The American bald eagle has been the symbol of the United States since the Second Continental Congress selected it in 1782 [1][2]. Bald eagles are not actually bald-headed. Their name derives from an older meaning of the word, i.e. “white-headed”.
There are 68-71 species of eagle overall, depending on who you ask [3]. These fall into 4 categories:
- sea eagles (which are excellent at fishing, and include the bald eagle);
- snake or serpent eagles (which favor snakes and other reptiles as prey);
- harpy eagles (which live in rain forests); and
- booted eagles/hawk eagles/buzzard eagles (which have feathers on their lower legs).
All are magnificent birds of prey. Harpy eagles especially are giants which can weigh as much as 20 pounds [4].
Unfortunately, though eagles are apex predators, they face multiple challenges from the modern world.
The bald eagle population has made a remarkable comeback since DDT was banned in the 1970s under the Endangered Species Act [5]. DDT, once widely used as a pesticide, had nearly caused bald eagle extinction through thinning of eggshells and reproductive failure [6].
But loss of habitat, lead poisoning, electrocution, and wind turbines continue to be threats [7][8]. Read more…
Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Salt Lake City, UT, Source/Author David Iliff a/k/a Diliff (License Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported)
In the investigative series Drugs, Inc.: The Fix, National Geographic explores drug use in several American large cities. The program focusing on Salt Lake City (titled “City of Saints and Sinners”), from which this post is derived, can be viewed on NatGeo TV, Sling TV, DirecTV, Amazon Prime, and elsewhere [1].
Mormonism
The Mormon religion plays a major role in Salt Lake City, which was founded in 1847 by Mormon pioneers. Some 48-49% of Salt Lake County’s population identify as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [2].
The LDS Church is a variant on Christianity, not viewed by most Christians as a legitimate denomination. There are significant differences which will not be detailed here [3]. LDS Church members, however, pride themselves on living sober, conservative, law-abiding lives. The use of illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and “hot drinks” (interpreted as coffee and tea) is strictly forbidden.
Grey Area
Prescription drugs like Xanax, Hydrocodone, Percocet, and the highly prized OxyContin fall into a grey area, and are mistakenly viewed as “safe”, since they are physician recommended. The attraction for users is that these provide chemical relaxation (until addiction develops).
When funds for costly opioids run out, there is a rapid transition by addicts to the less expensive alternatives of heroin and methamphetamine.
Secrecy and Rationalization
There is a heavy focus in the LDS Church on success, and maintaining an appearance of perfection. For that reason, drug abuse is never acknowledged and never discussed. For fear of public exposure, families will frequently hide drug paraphernalia before allowing EMTs to treat individuals who have overdosed.
Such secrecy protects drug users and drug dealers alike (creating a high profit/low risk environment for the latter). Read more…
Row Houses on Poplar Street, Philadelphia, PA, Author Davidt8 (PD)
The following is excerpted from the Fall Edition of Ministry Briefs 2025, the newsletter of Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia (CLCP) https://clcphila.org, a faith based organization for the poor whose predecessor I was privileged to co-found. The article is by Brendon Sylvester, the Christian Legal Clinics Administrator.
Please, consider donating to CLCP, if you are able. And, please, do pray for the poor.
“Often, when our clients come to us, their legal troubles are the smallest among an army of troubles. Pamela came to us with an estate issue: her sister wanted to cut her out of the administration of a parent’s estate…But she was also going through immense mental health difficulties related to being harassed and bullied at her job. It had gotten so intense that she had taken medical leave due to depression and post-traumatic stress.
The week of the clinic, she had a full breakdown. And though was was able to pull herself together just enough to make it to our clinic, she was visibly struggling. Our attorney, Keith…asked about why she was on medical leave. ‘I mentioned something,’ she said later, ‘and the Holy Spirit tole him I was in a deep, dark place.’ Keith, who’s a deeply faithful man, turned the legal advice session into a pastoral guidance session. ‘He told me, “you cannot return to the workplace. You’ll be triggered and you will relapse…'”
It was bold of him to give that advice. But it was exactly what Pam needed. ‘I knew I couldn’t go back,’ she said. ‘He saved my life.’
After that, she kept coming back to CLCP. She had multiple consultations, had her own estate documents drafted, and brought family and friends to us with their legal issues. Finally, in 2024, she started volunteering with us as a scheduler for one of our clinics. ‘I’m very intentional about where I volunteer,’ she said. ‘I volunteer where my values are.’ Pam saw God move through Keith to touch her life. Her response was to place herself so that God could move through her to touch the lives of other CLCP clients.”
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More
https://avoicereclaimed.com
“The Resurrection” by James Tissot (1886-1894), Brooklyn Museum (Accession No. 00.159.328), Source/Photographer Online Collection https://brooklynmuseum.org/collection (PD)
“But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him’” (Mark 16: 6).
Wishing you all a Happy Easter!
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More
https://avoicereclaimed.com
A Lawyer's Prayers 