June 13, 2024 |
Hail Satan? Why the Adult Industry Should Back the Satanic Temple |
The adult entertainment industry in the United Stats and Europe has long faced challenges from conservative religious groups, and particularly Christians seeking to restrict or even eliminate adult speech. In the face of such opposition, it may be time for the industry to consider forging more alliances with organizations that share a commitment to defending individual freedoms. One such organization is the Satanic Temple, which I originally learned about from my beautiful fiancée, Freya Wyld. I loved what I learned about the Satanic Temple so much that I wanted to share a little about its history, activities, and how it differs from other “Satanic” organizations. The tenets of the Satanic Temple are so well aligned with our industry’s culture that I believe anyone who works in the adult entertainment industry should consider offering support through memberships and donations, particularly in light of the Temple’s efforts to uphold reproductive rights and challenge religious conservatives. The Satanic Temple (TST) is a non-theistic religious and activist organization that utilizes Satanic imagery and symbolism to promote secularism and individual liberties. Founded in 2013 by Lucien Greaves and Malcolm Jarry, the organization quickly gained attention for its provocative and theatrical approach to social and political issues. Unlike traditional religious organizations, TST does not worship a supernatural Satan but instead uses the literary figure of Satan as a symbol of rebellion against arbitrary authority and a champion of enlightenment values. Outstanding. Want to see them in action? Give the documentary “Hail Satan!” a watch. The Satanic Temple was established as a response to the omnipresent influence of religious dogma in American public life, and who amongst us can deny the prudes have been on the rise recently. Greaves and Jarry sought to create an organization that could effectively challenge the encroachment of religion into government affairs, advocating for the separation of church and state. The Temple’s early activities included staging public events and stunts that drew significant media coverage, helping to establish its reputation as a bold and unapologetic defender of secular values. The Satanic Temple offers important services and engages in a variety of activities aimed at promoting its core principles of empathy, reason, and personal sovereignty. Some of its most notable campaigns include: TST is probably not what you think it is, and that fact can be made clear by distinguishing the Satanic Temple from other organizations that might also use Satanic imagery. Unlike the Church of Satan, founded by Anton LaVey in 1966, which focuses on individualism and hedonism, TST is primarily a political and social activist group. The Church of Satan is atheistic and does not engage in the same kind of public activism that characterizes TST. Additionally, TST’s use of Satanic symbolism is largely metaphorical, intended to provoke thought and challenge the status quo rather than promote any form of literal devil worship. The adult entertainment industry often finds itself at odds with conservative religious groups that seek to impose their moral values on others. In this context, the Satanic Temple emerges as a potential ally due to its commitment to defending personal freedoms and challenging religiously motivated legislation. Here are several reasons why the industry should consider supporting TST: Supporting the Satanic Temple can take various forms, from memberships to donations and public endorsements. Here are some steps interested individuals (and businesses) can take: #1 | Memberships: Individuals and businesses within the industry can join TST as members, showing solidarity with its mission and principles. Memberships help sustain the organization and expand its base of support. Membership is free, however you can optionally choose to order a physical membership card for a small fee. #2 | Donations: This will obviously have the most direct impact, as every organization needs funds to operate. Financial contributions are crucial for funding TST’s legal battles, public campaigns, and educational initiatives. Donations from the industry can significantly enhance the Temple’s ability to challenge restrictive laws and promote secular values. #3 | Public Endorsements: Our industry has the ears of millions of people around the world. Publicly endorsing TST and its initiatives can help raise awareness and garner additional support. Industry leaders and influencers can use their platforms to highlight the importance of TST’s work and encourage others to get involved. The Satanic Temple represents a unique and powerful ally for the adult entertainment industry in its ongoing struggle against religiously motivated censorship and restrictions. By supporting TST, the industry can help advance a shared commitment to personal autonomy, secularism, and equal representation. Through memberships, donations, and public endorsements, the adult entertainment industry can play a crucial role in sustaining and expanding the impact of the Satanic Temple’s vital work. In a landscape where individual freedoms are increasingly under threat, forging alliances with like-minded organizations is more important than ever. |