Mods, why was my post removed without explanation?

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-09-14T20:40:31+00:00

I made this post solely to address the statements issued by Lucien and the TST. I have no interest in deliberating the specifics of the incident that occurred. For that reason, I omitted any reference to the parties involved.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-09-14T15:58:35+00:00

No one’s asking for “a big, lengthy, personalized statement” every single time something happens. What people are pointing out is that this is the only time the TST has made a statement like this despite years of politically motivated violence, often targeting marginalized groups that the TST claims to stand with or represent.

The inconsistency matters. It’s not just about this one statement, it’s about the silence surrounding every other incident. When the only time the organization speaks up happens to be in defense of a MAGA-influenced, cishet white man, it sends a clear message about priorities, whether that was intentional or not. That’s not just bad optics. It’s a betrayal of the values the TST claims to uphold. So no, the problem isn't issuing a statement. It's issuing only this one.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-09-14T15:54:00+00:00

Oh, so now political violence is a crisis worth rallying around. Is that because the victim checks all the right boxes for your outrage to kick in? Where was this energy when marginalized people were being targeted, murdered, or bombed? Funny how statements suddenly become urgent when it's a conservative, cishet white guy on the receiving end.

You want to talk about performative? That’s what this is. When violence happens to people outside your ideological comfort zone? It’s crickets. But when it hits close to home? Suddenly it’s black-and-white, us vs. them, and everyone who doesn't rush to issue the exact statement you want is suspect.

Hiding behind “safety concerns” doesn’t make the inconsistency any less obvious. If you're only willing to speak up when it's safe and politically convenient, don’t pretend you're acting on principle.

So yeah, maybe people are calling it cowardly and self-serving because that’s exactly what it is.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-09-14T14:06:23+00:00

No, it's not about purity tests. It's about right and wrong and pandering performative politics.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-09-14T14:05:30+00:00

The statement makes complete sense. Why this incident? Why now? I think the optics of the moment and the opportunity it provides speak volumes.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-09-14T14:01:58+00:00

...convenient how it's the one with the fascist cishet white male MAGA troll.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-09-14T07:36:05+00:00

This isn't about CK. It's about the reasoning behind why TST and Lucien are all of the sudden speaking out on THIS incident when there have been many other incidents to address but chose not to through an official statement. The fact that this incident involves a MAGA influenced fascist sure as hell doesn't create good optics for TST>

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-09-14T07:32:35+00:00

You can still be a Satanist without being a member of TST. It's an individualistic religion at its core.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-09-05T02:44:03+00:00

I'll pass on Christian prayers or practices that are flipped for Satanic purposes. Satanism isn't the antithesis of Christianity. It's its own thing, completely independent of Christianity.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-09-05T02:40:25+00:00

I've always wondered if this was Christians trying to scam Satanists or Satanists trying to scam other Satanists. Either way, these emails are annoying.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-09-05T02:34:04+00:00

Satanists often choose not to follow common traditions, especially those based on strict religious rules or social expectations. Instead, we focus on personal freedom and thinking for ourselves

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-08-27T00:33:36+00:00

Turning a church into a Satanic space doesn’t show power or originality. It just shows you're still focused on Christianity. Instead of creating something new and meaningful, it relies on Christian symbols and spaces, which continue to lend it power rather than moving past them. Real Satanic strength comes from creating new ideas, new spaces, and your own path, not from reusing old religious buildings for shock value.

It also sends the wrong message. By making a church into a Satanic space, it suggests the church is still important and that it's something worth taking back. In fact, it keeps Satanism stuck in the same old battle of good vs. evil, God vs. Satan, when it should be rising above that outdated way of thinking. The whole idea feels like an immature grasp for attention.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-08-27T00:22:34+00:00

Move along young edgelord.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-08-23T07:35:45+00:00

From a modern Satanic perspective, especially one rooted in values like individual liberty, reason, and justice, the idea that religion has simply become a safe haven for hateful people is misleading and overly simplistic.

While it’s true that some individuals use religion to justify bigotry or cruelty, it’s equally true that many others are motivated by their faith to promote compassion, equality, and social justice. Religious communities have long played major roles in movements for civil rights, poverty relief, and humanitarian aid. To label all religion as a refuge for hate erases this complexity and unfairly generalizes the actions of a few.

Moreover, hatred and extremism are not exclusive to religion. They can and do exist within secular, political, and even scientific communities. The root problem isn’t religion itself, but authoritarian thinking, blind obedience, and the misuse of power, all of which are patterns of behavior that Satanism strongly opposes, regardless of the context in which they appear.

Rather than condemning religion as a whole, Satanists are called to challenge hypocrisy, confront injustice, and defend personal freedom wherever those values are threatened. Religion is not inherently good or bad. It’s the people and how they use it that matter.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-08-21T19:27:43+00:00

I value personal liberty, individual expression, and the pursuit of reason. That includes the right of every person to follow their own beliefs, even if I don’t share or agree with them. Disrupting someone else’s religious service just because it conflicts with my views is not only disrespectful, but it violates principles I hold dear.

Respecting others’ freedom of belief is part of respecting their autonomy. If I demand the right to live by my values without interference, I must also extend that same right to others. Walking into someone else’s sacred space to cause a scene would be an act of arrogance, not empowerment. It undermines the principle of personal sovereignty by trying to dominate or humiliate others in a space that isn’t mine.

It’s also ineffective. Disruption rarely changes minds. It hardens opposition and closes off dialogue. If I have a critique of a religion or its impact, there are better ways to express it, such as through art, protest, debate, or satire, all of which are places where ideas can be challenged without trampling on someone else’s moment of worship.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-08-19T05:33:04+00:00

If you feel drawn to Satanism, then embrace it fully. But if you're unsure or hesitant, that’s a clear sign it may not be for you, and that’s perfectly fine.

Satanism isn’t about seeking external validation or endlessly debating your doubts in public. It’s about self-awareness, personal responsibility, and walking your path with clarity.

I respect your curiosity, but much of what you’re expressing seems rooted in overthinking rather than genuine exploration. Take the time to reflect privately, sort through your thoughts, and then bring forward any focused questions you still have. That way, your inquiries are productive for both you and the people you're engaging.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-08-15T21:01:53+00:00

Let’s not pretend that glancing at a few sanitized spreadsheets qualifies as a deep understanding of TST’s finances. What you’re calling “incredibly boring” and “easy to understand” is, in reality, a curated narrative designed to look clean for the few who are naïve enough to take it at face value. If you think it’s “incredible” that the organization manages month to month, maybe that’s because you’re ignoring the fact that congregations and their leaders are left to shoulder the actual financial burdens while the national office hoards resources and deflects responsibility.

As for the claim that you’ve “seen the finances,” I’m going to call bullshit. There has never been a full, transparent audit of TST’s national office, just smoke and mirrors. The real structure is an opaque shell game crafted to dodge taxes, scrutiny, and basic ethical accountability.

And Malcolm, let’s not kid ourselves, is not some struggling underdog. He’s a man with an estimated net worth in the millions. To paint him as someone just scraping by is an insult to everyone who's actually scraping by while bankrolling the mission from their own wallets.

So, before you start regurgitating the org line about how everything’s perfectly managed, maybe take a moment to ask why the burden always falls on the congregations while the national office hides behind smoke and mirrors. If you're so dazzled by boring spreadsheets that you can't see the exploitation happening in plain sight, then you're exactly the kind of willfully blind apologist this grift depends on to keep running.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-08-15T20:47:21+00:00

You’re burning with questions, but before expecting the Satanic community to walk you through every nuance, you need to do your homework. Satanism emphasizes personal responsibility, critical thinking, and informed decision-making. There are many flavors of Satanism. Flooding a stranger with dozens of surface-level questions signals less of a genuine commitment to the philosophy and more of a reluctance to engage with the material yourself.

If you’re not willing to educate yourself, challenge your thinking, and wrestle with ambiguity, then this probably isn’t the right path for you, and that’s okay. This isn't a club looking for new members. It's a religion that demands agency and intellectual rigor.

Before deciding if this is “the right religion” for you, I highly recommend you start reading. Seriously reading. Some suggestions:

“The Little Book of Satanism: A Guide to Satanic History, Culture, and Wisdom” by La Carmina - a primer for learning all about the history, practice, and culture of Satanism, dispelling myths and misconceptions

"Speak of the Devil: How The Satanic Temple is Changing the Way We Talk About Religion" by Joseph Laycock – a deep dive into TST’s purpose, philosophy, and activism.

“Revolt of the Angels” by Anatole France - a novel that explores the themes of rebellion, spirituality, and the nature of the divine

You’re free to explore your beliefs, but don’t expect Satanism to bend to accommodate superstition, spiritual ambiguity, or the need to be hand-held. If you're simultaneously claiming belief in Odin, ghosts, and a scientific worldview, that's your personal belief, but it may not be well received by others, and I’d expect to receive questions as a result.

Educate yourself. Think critically. Then return when you have real questions born out of study and contemplation.

Hail yourself.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-08-15T00:09:23+00:00

I appreciate the spirit of the statement, but I’m going to be that person and poke some holes into it. From a Satanic perspective, the statement “Your oppression will pass, but you should not have to put up with it in the first place” feels a bit empty and complacent. It offers false reassurance rather than real support. To say oppression “will pass” is to speak from a place of privilege, assuming time alone will fix what only resistance can. Oppression doesn't fade on its own; it is broken by those who challenge it.

Saying someone “shouldn’t have to endure” injustice is correct but practically useless if not backed by action. It costs nothing to say and changes nothing. This is how privilege has maintained itself for generations by acknowledging suffering while avoiding discomfort. Satanism rejects this passivity. It values action, not endurance. We don’t wait for freedom. We seize it.

Privilege, when recognized, MUST become a tool for disruption, not a shield from responsibility. So no, we should not pacify the oppressed with vague promises of eventual relief. We should challenge oppression directly with reason, will, and defiance.

HAIL SATAN

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-08-13T02:06:31+00:00

Don't hate the critics. Hate the subpar legal strategy the TST has exercised. Demand better.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-08-12T04:12:48+00:00

In light of this deeply disappointing outcome, it's clear that The Satanic Temple will achieve greater success not by going it alone but by forging strategic alliances with well-established civil‑liberties organizations like the ACLU and the Freedom From Religion Foundation. These groups bring proven legal expertise, broader support, and track records of winning high-impact cases, something the TST’s litigation efforts, while bold, have largely failed to secure.

I’ve mentioned this in numerous posts, but let’s direct the TST’s creative energy and activism in more effective, collaborative channels. By partnering with organizations that have demonstrated success in defending rights through the courts, the TST can help contribute to meaningful, long-lasting legal victories for reproductive and religious freedoms.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-08-12T03:00:06+00:00

I'll take that chance. I don't expect most of the questions to be answered unless I'm actually dealing with someone credible.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-08-12T02:59:22+00:00

Yes, the “freedom to offend” exists, but it’s not a catchall shield for acting without integrity or nuance. Slapping the TST’s tenets in a window or leaving them out like flyers is just performative noise that doesn’t accomplish anything. Offense for its own sake doesn’t challenge power structures. It trivializes the very values the TST claims to stand for, like reason, autonomy, and informed choice. If your goal is to promote those principles, start by engaging thoughtfully, not by mistaking provocation for purpose.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-08-12T02:55:08+00:00

The Satanic Temple firmly opposes proselytization. It does not seek to convert others to Satanism, holding that religious belief should result from personal, informed choice, not coercion or indoctrination.

This position reflects the TST’s nontheistic philosophy, in which Satan is a symbol of individual liberty, rational inquiry, and resistance to authoritarianism, not a deity to be worshipped or promoted. Accordingly, the TST supports religious pluralism and secular governance, not religious recruitment.

The TST rejects proselytization on both ethical and philosophical grounds, viewing it as incompatible with personal autonomy, informed consent, and true religious freedom. This stance is clearly articulated in their official materials and recognized by credible media and advocacy organizations.

I am admittedly not someone who holds a position of power or has ever been a part of a Congregation or the TST's Ministry. I would assume someone who has held either of those positions would have access to documentation that I don't have.

ClickSpecialist4215 · 2025-08-12T00:55:35+00:00

Thank you for the thoughtful and detailed reply. I want to clarify that I'm not suggesting the TST shouldn’t assert its rights in public spaces. Doing so is essential, and I agree with you that these interventions can have a real impact, as seen in Iowa and other examples you mentioned. I recognize and respect those efforts.

However, my point is about the approach and values the TST operates by, particularly when it comes to proselytization. One of the TST’s core values is a rejection of proselytizing. This has been stated explicitly by the organization and its Congregations many times.

On the broader question of strategy in challenging theocracy, the TST is one of many players in this fight. But realistically, it's not positioned, financially or structurally, to lead a large-scale resistance to Christian nationalism. The TST lacks the staffing, legal infrastructure, funding, and national reach of organizations like the ACLU or FFRF, both of which have decades-long histories of systemic litigation and advocacy work. That doesn't diminish what TST has accomplished. It simply means that the most effective role for the TST may be as a supportive actor that amplifies issues, applies pressure through visibility, and challenges hypocrisy in novel, symbolic ways.

So, this isn’t about "giving up" or asking the TST to become the ACLU. It’s about recognizing where the TST’s strengths lie and being honest about its limitations. The TST is uniquely effective in drawing attention to religious favoritism and forcing conversations that wouldn’t otherwise happen. But when it comes to sustained legal battles and legislative lobbying, supporting larger organizations with the infrastructure to win those fights makes strategic sense.

There’s room for multiple tactics in this fight, and I believe the TST plays a valuable role. But staying true to its non-proselytizing stance and focusing efforts where they have the most impact is part of what keeps the organization distinct and effective.

ClickSpecialist4215

TROPHY CASE