No, Thanks, I’m a Satanist

Published in El País
(Spain) on 26 February 2021
by Sergio del Molino (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Sergio Ferreras. Edited by Gillian Palmer.
The documentary “Heil, Satan?” proposes a debate on the influence of Christianity in the United States, but also contains an involuntary reflection on the limits of satire.

When Jehovah's Witnesses came calling at my door, I learned to get rid of them by answering, "No, thank you, in this house we are Satanists." It was the most dissuasive response, since they were not trained to react to that. If you told them you were an atheist, or even if you were hostile and grumpy, they had a repertoire of instant replies to slip you a brochure. In the face of Satanism they did not know what to do. While they were stunned, you could shut the door on them without violence, as dictated by the canons of satanic courtesy.

One of the members of the Satanic Temple who participates in the documentary “Heil, Satan?” says that being a satanist is more fun than being an atheist. Atheism is a great bore with no rituals or celebrations. With satanism, you find new friends and the most devout Christians in town are scandalized.

Director Penny Lane tells a serious story that seems like a joke: the creation of a satanist religion that preaches tolerance and freedom. The reaction of Christian talk-show guests, journalists and politicians to their actions and statements is very similar to that of my Jehovah's Witnesses.

The Satanic Temple wants to incite a debate on the toxic influence of Christianity on democracy in the United States, but the film also contains an involuntary reflection on the limits of satire. I'm not talking about the limits of humor, but about its transforming ability. Let me explain: I don't know if the Satanic Temple inspires this debate on religious freedom or is stuck in a dialectic without any possible solution between offenders and offended. My satanism only aspired to dispatch annoying visitors, and while the Temple’s is very spectacular and funny, I don't think it will lead any fanatics to question their own fanaticism. It seems that satire, contrary to religion, preaches only to the choir. We laugh a lot with it, but when the show is over, nothing has changed.


No, gracias, soy satanista

El documental ‘Heil, Satan?’ propone el debate sobre la influencia del cristianismo en EE UU, pero también contiene una reflexión involuntaria sobre los límites de la sátira

Cuando los testigos de Jehová llamaban puerta a puerta aprendí a quitármelos de encima contestándoles: “No, gracias, en esta casa somos satanistas”. Era la respuesta más disuasoria, pues no estaban entrenados para reaccionar. Si les decías que eras ateo o incluso si te mostrabas hostil y malencarado, tenían un repertorio de réplicas instantáneas para colarte un folleto. Ante el satanismo no sabían qué hacer. Mientras callaban pasmados, podías cerrarles la puerta sin violencia, como dictan los cánones de la cortesía satánica.

Uno de los miembros del Templo Satánico que participa en el documental Heil, Satan? (Filmin) dice que ser satánico es más divertido que ser ateo. El ateísmo es un muermazo sin ritos ni jaranas. Con el satanismo se hacen amigos y se escandaliza a los más beatones del pueblo.

La directora Penny Lane cuenta en serio una historia que parece broma: la creación de una religión satanista que predica tolerancia y libertad. La reacción de tertulianos, periodistas y políticos cristianos ante sus actos y declaraciones es muy parecida a la de mis testigos de Jehová.

El Templo Satánico quiere incitar un debate sobre la influencia tóxica del cristianismo en la democracia de Estados Unidos, pero la película contiene también una reflexión involuntaria sobre los límites de la sátira. No hablo de los límites del humor, sino de su capacidad transformadora. Me explico: no sé si el Templo Satánico inspira ese debate sobre la libertad religiosa o se estanca en una dialéctica sin resolución entre ofensores y ofendidos. Mi satanismo solo aspiraba a despachar a los pelmas, y aunque el suyo es muy espectacular y divertido, no creo que lleve a ningún fanático a cuestionar su fanatismo. Parece que la sátira, al contrario que las religiones, solo predica sobre convencidos. Nos reímos mucho con ella, pero, cuando acaba la función, nada ha cambiado.
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