Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"Satan represents indulgence instead of abstinence. Satan represents vital existence instead of spiritual pipe dreams. Satan represents undefiled wisdom instead of hypocritical self-defeat." — Henry Zebrowski
"The idea is that, you know, if you read this stuff and you identify with it. And that's how you've already been living your whole life. Then it's like, you've been in the club all along, buddy." — Henry Zebrowski
"The brain is a good job of hiding that shit for a reason. We're all trying to be normal, man. The door shut, man." — Ben Kissel
The hosts explore the multifaceted concept of Satanism, beginning with historical figures and artworks like Hieronymus Bosch, whose depictions of hell and demons have profoundly shaped public perception. They trace the evolution of the devil figure from a trickster in early folklore to a symbol of evil and carnality adopted by the Catholic Church. The discussion highlights how early Christian mythology often repurposed or demonized pagan deities, leading to complex interpretations of figures like Lucifer.
The episode then shifts to examining various historical and modern Satanic groups. The Hellfire Club and Bohemian Grove are discussed as examples of historical gatherings with rumored esoteric practices, often characterized by indulgence and secret rituals. The hosts differentiate between these groups and more organized modern Satanic movements, such as Anton LaVey's Church of Satan, emphasizing LaVey's philosophy of Satanism as a celebration of individualism, indulgence, and self-reliance, rather than a literal worship of a demonic entity. The concept of "psychic vampires" and the "nine Satanic statements" are presented as key tenets of this philosophy.
Finally, the podcast addresses the phenomenon of "Satanic ritual abuse" scares of the 1980s, deconstructing the unsubstantiated accusations and the role of media and suggestibility in perpetuating these fears. They draw parallels to other historical moral panics and highlight how the misunderstanding and demonization of Satanism have often stemmed from a fear of the unknown and a desire to find external culprits for societal problems. The hosts conclude by emphasizing the core tenets of self-empowerment and responsibility within their understanding of Satanism.