In this episode of Sacred Tension, I’m joined by Lucien Greaves to discuss The Satanic Temple’s legal battle against religious discrimination in Boston.
Continue reading “Sacred Tension: The Satanic Temple vs Religious Discrimination | Lucien Greaves”
In this episode of Sacred Tension, I’m joined by author, activist, and storyteller Gareth Higgins to talk about his new book How Not To Be Afraid. We discuss the challenges some modern men face, how growing up during the Troubles in northern Ireland informs his storytelling, how to tell stories that are both true and empowering, and much more.
Continue reading “Sacred Tension: How Not To Be Afraid | Gareth Higgins”
In this episode in Sacred Tension, I am joined by my friend Matt Langston of the formerly Christian pop punk band Eleventyseven to explore the finer points of Satanic religious blasphemy.
Continue reading “Sacred Tension: Religious Blasphemy 101 | Matt Langston”
Of all the challenging aspects of Satanism, blasphemy is perhaps at the top. I have known people to literally weep with horror when they first encounter the concept of the Black Mass, and others to simply shut down and say, “I can’t do this,” when they are confronted with the full breadth of Satanic blasphemy.
Blasphemy can be an important part of Satanism. But there are many different types of blasphemy, and I believe that understanding them might help outsiders better engage in inter-religious dialogue with the Satanic community. (It’s also important to note that there are many Satanists who don’t connect deeply with the notion of blasphemy at all.)
Continue reading “Varieties of Satanic Blasphemy”
In this episode of Sacred Tension, I am joined by dandy and Minister of Satan Vyvyan des Esseintes to discuss the restorative power of enjoying things in times of crisis. We discuss fandoms, music, wrestling, Magic: The Gathering, and much more.
Continue reading “Sacred Tension: Just Enjoy Things | Vyvyan des Esseintes”
I recently listened to a fascinating conversation between the Catholic writer Arthur Brooks and the atheist Sam Harris about the role of spirituality and religion in a healthy life. You will need to get a subscription to either the Waking Up app or to Harris’s private feed to listen to the section in question. I leave your support of Harris up to your own discretion.
For the time being, let’s set aside the political and ideological differences I have with both these men. I’d like to focus on a fascinating difference between Brooks and Harris.
Continue reading “The Bound and the Unbound: Religion and Transcendence”
In this episode of Sacred Tension, I speak with La Carmina about her new book The Little Book of Satanism. We discuss the deep roots of Satanic thought, key historic moments that shaped modern Satanism, the Satanic subculture in Japan, and much more.
Continue reading “Sacred Tension: The Ancient Roots of Modern Satanism | La Carmina”
I find myself having a particular conversation over and over again. People keep asking me if I plan to have children. The question itself is inoffensive, and I don’t mind politely answering: “no, Jon and I have no plans for children.” If only friends would accept this answer, but they don’t.
Continue reading “Why I Don’t Want To Be a Father”
In this episode of Sacred Tension, Lucien Greaves and I talk about the attempted assassination of free speech hero Salman Rushdie, the Fourth Tenet of the Satanic Temple, the importance of offense in a pluralistic democracy, how Surveillance Capitalism destroys the marketplace of ideas, and much more.
Continue reading “Sacred Tension: The Freedom to Offend | Lucien Greaves”
In this episode of Sacred Tension, I speak with hacker, privacy expert, Minister of Satan, and Youtuber Karl Kasarda about how to protect our privacy online as religious minorities.
Continue reading “Sacred Tension: Digital Safety in an Age of Theocracy | Karl Kasarda of InRangeTV”
Stephen Bradford Long 