just philosophically if there’s no right to bodily autonomy then there are no rights. what could a “right to property” mean in the context of lacking it coherently?

Humanity's exploration of Satan as savior of mankind demonstrates the ideals of freedom from tyrannical oppression, personal autonomy, the struggle for justice, the value of truth, and respect for the free will of others. The Tenets summarize these lessons, but are not the source of them.

We are small and still establishing our new identity, so nothing to share. But we're not reinventing Satanism, just practicing it together freely. Religion is hard to define, but mere philosophy doesn't usually carry the sense of community around shared values, ethics, and ritualistic practices.

Satanism, as envisioned by The Satanic Temple, is more or less compatible with UU philosophy. But TST has been showing they are far more concerned with activism than religion, so many of their congregations (mine included) have split off to be unaffiliated Satanists.

And there is no reason independent congregations shouldn't lend support, in money or in man-hours, to TST's campaigns so long as the mission serves them. Of course then TST would have to court their support rather than demand it.

Maybe the answer is to stop fighting this and embrace it instead. The fact Congregations exist proves Satanism's legitimacy as a religion whether or not TST runs them, and their work justifiably serves that community either way.

If Congregations serve TST, demanding autonomy might be seen as a traitorous attempt to take over the organization with a new agenda. If TST serves Congregations, TST may look like autocrats asserting arbitrary authority, expecting Congregations to fall in line and bend the knee.

whatever your path if you safely can. Donate to charities, join a chapter, or just spread awareness. Even the smallest act is significant. No single drop of water is responsible for creating a flood, but together they become unstoppable. This Hexennacht, be a drop in the flood.

/2…or fidelity to the Constitution. It’s just not a thing for them. They would absolutely advocate special preferences for a small group of preferred religions and fuck you if you don’t like it, we hold the power. Being unconstitutional or inconsistent is utterly irrelevant to them.

Tempted to take copies of Sagan's Demon-Haunted World to hotels with me now. 🤔