None of the primary or secondary schools that I went to were faith-based. Science was never really my best subject as a child, but when I learned about how God supposedly created the universe, I thought it was all condescending and too stylized. Watching a handful of documentaries involving the belief of creation really terrified me on how many adults and children genuinely believe this is how everything came into existence. I used to feel some joy when hearing Genesis 1:1, but remembering everything that happens in the Bible made me think “does this mean he’ll destroy it?”.

Bible school did teach me a few meaningful qualities. Little did I know I would lose my faith sometime in the future, but I still believe in respecting everyone and everything that was “created in God’s image”. However I prefer not to have any lessons on Creation stick to my mind. I would feel embarrassed every time I said any sort of claims that would make me seem very uneducated or easily misled.

It comes to no one’s surprise that some Catholics/Christians try to shove their beliefs down other people’s throats, and that includes their belief in how God created everything. There is plenty of evidence that proves The Big Bang created the universe over 13 billion years ago. The only thing Christian nationalists can provide is their baseless opinions, and the Bible, which is never supposed to be a historical document in the first place. As if praising a story to others means that we should believe one single man built a boat for all living organisms in order to survive a world ending flood.

This sort of topic always reminds me to check my sources and trust my suspicions. If it wasn’t for this mindset, I would have used ChatGPT on a daily basis. Don’t believe everything you hear and read. Due diligence is important. Also, it’s ok to have opinions, but it becomes a problem if you try too hard to change other people’s perception. It’s important to respect others’ beliefs as long as they are not harming anyone.

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April 2026. The Easter Vigil, a time of Blessings, I should know. I was baptized on this day of days, to be baptized as another Christian, Episcopalian. However, I & many others of the Cross are not your typical Straight, Hetero Man or Woman; I myself, am an Agender, Pansexual Christian. I’ve been derided as False, a Heretic even. For the simple idea that there is more than just being a man or a woman, that one can date more than just a woman if you are a man, or a man if you’re a woman. Doesn’t that describe many people’s experiences with Christianity nowadays? Hatred, Greed, the use of God and Jesus’ words against those same people they want to “save” your soul. We hear it so often, see it so often. Over Radio, TV, Movies. Your “God’s Not Dead”, heartfelt stories of a Community or a Family together despite their issues because GOD! Tiring, to say the least, especially when you’ve heard it all before, so much that it becomes as annoying as Christmas Music in November.

My fellow Believers, and perhaps Non-Believers, I fear that we have perhaps lost sight of this want for justice, but of another importance entirely. Of what, you may ask? Community. Not just of Christians, or just of Satanists, or Atheists. But of *People*. I’ve seen many of my Brothers, Sisters, those who are Christian dream of insulation. To squeeze out the “Non-Believers”, the “False Christians”, for us to “other” our fellow Believers for just changes in how they believe or practice the Belief in God. We are after all, afraid of change, even those who profess to be willing to hear of others. To be fearful, is to be human. To make errors and be imperfect, but still striving to prove that the Teachings of Jesus were *right*.

Yet. We should not be fearful of those who are on the outside, those who are outside of our Churches. Jesus was accepting of the Beggars, of the Lost, of the Hungry, of the Non-Believers. We are *given* trials, each and every day, by the Father & his Son who is sat at the right hand of God. Trials, that while we may not succeed at first, or perhaps never, why can’t one strive to the end point of it? For Jesus always showed us the way, why can’t we begin to even have a fraction of what he gave to us and try to mold it, to strive to be our Messiah? Is it fear? Temptation? Every time it feels that we make progress, there’s always pushback. Modernity being heralded as Sin against God, that Tradition is what made the Churches of our Land, that Piety is what gives us strength.

We’ve seen it throughout the World, the want to close ranks, and where has that gotten us? The need for more vitriol, to point fingers, to blame each other when we cannot even begin to understand the severity and complexity of a constantly, and rapidly changing world. The Paradox of the Congregation’s Want for the Old, while they have a desire - perhaps, the NEED for New Blood. Change, but not too fast, comfort, but the worry of a Community being slowly ridden off. Does it not describe the empty pews you see every Sunday? The mumblings of your fellow Church Members, on if your Church will make it in having a balanced Budget? They want to save souls lost, but, perhaps some souls you don’t want to interact with out of some malignant fear, a human-made fear? Or, perhaps, the fear that you are not enough of a Christian?

That you are one of those “False” Christians you hear a friend of yours call another for just having a differing idea than they do? It is a doubt that scares those who were once willing and open to shutting the doors to our Churches, when so many need hope in this year, in this life we are all a part of. Believe in yourself, for while we may have our beliefs of a higher being, we have naught by those around us to keep us company and comfort in the days and nights we strive to be a better person - not just a better Christian. Humanity and Christianity are not just words and people, but beliefs in themselves - for the compassion and love for one another. Many already experience it, and they don’t even need a Bible to tell them that, why can’t fellow believers just give a little more heartache for their fellow friends, their neighbors?

To fear is to be human, and to be human, is to have compassion. The Bible and Christianity over all is simply an extension of what Humanity *can* and should be, not just what Jesus showed in his time, but that of what all Humans - no matter who you are - can become if we have simple compassion and love for one another. Go forth in blessings and love for all that you can amount to in your body, for our lives mean more than just the superficial things we achieve. Beliefs are strong, when we can create a better tomorrow for not only ourselves, but those who come after us. We only have one Earth, after all, and while there might not be just one God anymore - no matter how badly Joel Osteen or one of those Televangelists try to profess up and down like a Car Salesman on TV, what stops us from just having a little more compassion for all who live in a world full of Grace?

I want an iPhone Duo badly, and I believe that it is the best modern foldable on the market right now. However, I will not buy it. This is not because I hate Apple. I have been an Apple fanboy for years. In fact, my main reason for not buying a Duo is somewhat different from the reason that general audiences are refusing to buy it.

You see, I became an Apple user after converting from my Samsung A21, Samsung S7 Tablet, Samsung Watch 4, Beats Studio Buds, and my ASUS gaming laptop, all within the span of a year. Though it was a long time coming, as my classic autistic obsessions had me genuinely fascinated with Apple’s history, products, naming, graphic design, advertisements, et cetera. I had watched channels like Apple Explained, who broke down specific parts of Apple’s business in the exact ways I wanted to see, from an entire video explaining Apple’s accessibility program, to the Apple TV’s hardware upgrades, to every iOS update, et cetera.

However, this did not mean I ignored its competitors. Hell, I was more impressed with the improvements that Samsung and other Android-based devices were making every year. But Apple had a flow that none of their competitors had, that came from its polish and predictability. As incredible as Samsung’s foldables have been, they were never really that polished. Every time I tested them out in a store, I could never imagine actually using one. Each transition from the phone to the tablet form factor had the phone glitch for a second or two, even though the entire fucking purpose of the phone was to fold. Most apps were never designed for foldable phones, despite this industry existing for almost a decade now. The lack of polish on these foldables, from the bugs, to the lack of direction I felt when using a new feature, to the apps not being designed with foldables in mind, pushed me away from ever buying one.

Now, to be fair, I never owned or used a foldable phone for more than 10 minutes. Maybe Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and every other company’s phones are truly incredible devices that are worth their price tags. But from my experiences, they are not polished or reliable enough for me to use on a daily basis. And while these companies innovated and led the way for modern foldables, Apple is the first company I have seen that created a foldable with the polish and reliability I have always wanted in this type of device.

Apple has proven that it is not a company that needs to invent first. The Apple II was not the first computer, nor was the iPod the first MP3 player. Hell, even the iPhone was never the first smartphone. Instead, Apple will enter a matured product line, and release the most usable and polished version of the product that every other company has spent years developing. However, this strategy comes with a cost, that being general audiences viewing your product as “nothing new” or “uninspired,” and I have heard this constantly since the reveal of the iPhone Duo. To be fair, I used to have the same mindset, though once I tried the iPhone 14 Pro, I was amazed at how well everything worked and how predictable it was. So I switched from my Samsung. Then I bought the AirPods Pro 2, and they worked far better and connected easier than my Beats earbuds. Finally, I bit the bullet really hard and replaced my ASUS gaming laptop with an M1 MacBook Pro, and it was and still is the best computer I have ever used. I am someone who is willing to pay more for a product that works how I need it to, as opposed to a cheaper product that I would have to fight to use. And if I were into foldables, I would feel the same way about the iPhone Duo.

The iPhone Duo’s crease is far less visible than any other phone, the transition from phone to tablet form is actually seamless and not glitchy, the apps were optimized and built for the foldable, the tablet form is finally rectangle-shaped, et cetera. The Duo did not invent foldables, but it seems to have made foldables far more usable than any of the companies that pioneered them. The price for the Duo is high, though not really when you compare it to other folding phones. The Galaxy Z Fold8 starts at $1900, while the iPhone Duo starts at $2000. Yet the Duo is not only more polished than the Fold8, but it comes with all the benefits of being an Apple device, like consistent software updates, no data selling, the ability to reject cross-app trackers, plus every other benefit you get from being in the Apple ecosystem. So if anything, the Fold8 is a rip-off, since you get far more value with the Duo.

The iPhone Duo is the first foldable phone that has actually convinced me to want one. Though it did not solve the biggest problem I have with foldables, which is that I do not need a foldable. Until I can find enough uses to justify buying one, I do not need to spend $2000 (though honestly $2600 since I need the 1TB option) to buy one. I was far more impressed with the Duo than I was expecting to be, given that I had been following all the rumors and leaks prior to its announcement. However, I will not deny the fact that when it comes to modern foldables and their current prices, the iPhone Duo looks like the best and most practical option to buy right now.

Presented by: Josh CruverKibi, MA, BSL

Are we alone in the Universe? What does it mean to feel existentially isolated despite having relationships with others? Is avoiding perceptions of isolation worth giving up autonomy, freewill, and individuality to the authorities and structures of our society?

Existential isolation is the conscious awareness of the gulf between perceptions of oneself and the perceptions of others (Corsini & Wedding, 2011). This creates a perception of dread, like the existential dreads for freedom, personal responsibility, purpose and meaning, and mortality, that it is inevitable for certain ideas to be in flux throughout our lives and may never be known for certain. We are forced to balance the tension between desperately wanting and trying to make connections with others, and the nagging dread that we can still perceive ourselves alone at times despite our efforts (Corsini & Wedding, 2011).

We are also perpetually fighting for our freedom and autonomy from the societal authority structures and pressures throughout our lives, while never really knowing exactly what will feel freeing and autonomous. Fyodor Dostoyevsky wrote about this struggle for autonomy and dread of self-examination while being pulled and pressured by societal imperatives in his short story, Notes from the Underground, “I am alone and they are everyone”. The inability for the individual to predict or measure all outcomes is the crux of both existential dread and essence of freewill. Freewill is intentionally choosing, even when we are not able to perceive the outcome of our choices. We may intentionally choose our current logic, ethics code, moral conclusion, etc.…, over our strong feelings, societal or authority pressures, or even choosing an action that could lead to danger and death.

Some have argued that we do not have freewill due to comparing existential perception to physics equations or deductive verbal philosophical authority arguments. The cognitive logic that we do not have freewill is quite consequential. If we accept the deterministic logic that there is no freewill, or we have no autonomy to choose, if we cognitively submit to the authority of others, we are what Erich Fromm refers to as an automaton.

“By conforming with the expectations of others, by not being different, these doubts about one’s identity are silenced and a certain security is gained. However, the price paid is high. Giving up spontaneity and individuality results in a thwarting of life. Psychologically the automaton, while being alive biologically, is dead emotionally and mentally. While he goes through the motions of living, his life runs through his hands like sand (Fromm, 1941)”.

Yes, there are deductive arguments, absolute observable measurements, and facts, such as math and physics. However, subjective perceptions are not currently measurable at the accuracy of physics applications. And deductions are only as good as the discipline of the user at setting accurate premises. Freewill is an act of autonomy using what limited perceptions we have in the moment and environment. Existential psychology is also sensitive to the absurdity of giving labels without accurate measurements which tends to have a dehumanizing effect on people (Corsini & Wedding, 2011). Regarding perceptions of isolation, in a society that may never recognize, accept, or understand us as individuals, we should explore and embrace what autonomy we can discover about ourselves. “The rights to express our thoughts,” “means something only if we are able to have thoughts of our own; freedom from external authority is a lasting gain only if the inner psychological conditions are such that we are able to establish our own individuality.” (Fromm 1941).

Our perceived connections with others and interpretations of who we are, relative to the pressures of the external environment, will be a perpetual struggle throughout our lives. While we try to find our place and autonomy within the limits of perceived reality, there will be external authorities trying to sell solutions, short cuts, and ways of avoiding feelings of dread. You will have to ask yourself, does the dread of feeling alone or personally responsible for all your decisions compel you to forgo your autonomy for the perceived structure that an external authority provides? Or do you embrace and face the perception of isolation and uncertainty that exists outside of groupthink? Will you grow more as an autonomous individual and be more cognitively equipped to identify quality relationships in your life by facing the unknown and dread? Is Dostoyevsky right in his conclusion about autonomy, “I have only in my life carried to an extreme what you have not dared to carry halfway, and what’s more, you have taken your cowardice for good sense, and have found comfort in deceiving yourselves. So that perhaps, after all, there is more life in me than in you.”

Corsini, R. & Wedding, D. (2011). Current Psychotherapies, 9^th Edition. Brooks/Cole Cengage learning.

Dostoyevsky, F. (1864). Notes from the Underground. Digireads.com Publishing.

Fromm, E. (1941). Escape from Freedom. Holt Paperbacks.

You may have seen those “Jesus Saves” signs on your local highway or street corner, especially if you live in America. Most Christians despise them, as they push their religion onto everyone around them. These signs can be small or large, zip-tied to a stop sign or traffic pole. However, no matter what they are stuck to, they are designed to be distracting and attention-grabbing, but worst of all… their purpose in the first place.

It is important to remember their purpose, which is to keep people in the religion from thinking for themselves. These signs, like billboards, send a message that is loud and clear to those considering leaving the religion. The reason propaganda works is because it is constant and always running, shifting your reality and causing you to believe it more. This is why right-wing radio and pro-Trump social media accounts rant and post non-stop. When a member of a strict religion is quietly driving on a highway, with nothing playing, they have the ability to think for themselves for a short period of time, since nothing is distracting them from their thoughts. In order to prevent this, movements like “Jesus Saves Signs” will place distracting black and yellow signs on speed limit signs, telephone poles, and on walking trails to keep those who are thinking about leaving scared of what could happen if they do.

Thankfully, you can remove them. They are not even legal to put up in many places, as they are never approved by the city, especially since they often clash with other traffic signs. You also do not need a license to rip them down, or a position at any traffic agency to rip them down. All you need to do is safely pull to the side and rip them down. Though sometimes you may need a long telescopic pole, since some groups place them 8 feet high to make them a pain to remove.

Religious people should be allowed to practice their beliefs and discuss their religion, though this practice of placing illegal signs on our highways and public property is a risk to everyone around them, which is when practicing goes too far. Ripping down these signs is not just making your area cleaner, but it is fighting back against hateful religious movements, preventing them from threatening those who may consider leaving said movements. No matter what religion or cult tries to trash the highway with their propaganda, safely rip them down if you feel like doing so.

It goes without saying that children can be easily influenced by television or movies, and I was no exception. I did not long to be a fry cook like Spongebob, but there was a specific genre that I once deemed obscure and heartwarming even though any background and motivation flew over my head. And that is religious propaganda. As an adult, It is very easy to point out how ridiculous and xenophobic some of this media can be, but I did not know any better as an adolescent.

To start, I’m not saying all Catholic/Christian media is propaganda or prejudice against any race or other religion. Take Veggietales for example. I haven’t seen much from that show as a kid, but I had a few VHS tapes which I saw multiple times. They certainly made me feel proud to be a Catholic at the time and it was a lot of fun to watch. Only this show can make biblical stories very entertaining for children. The “Frankencelery” episode somewhat eased my fear as I used to be afraid of the dark and easily terrified of horror movies (I used to have nightmares about Chucky from Child’s Play). God may or may not exist, but nonetheless I was able to sleep with no trouble thanks to the thought of God being mightier than any monster. Looking back, I personally have no problem with how this show shares its religious views. Not sure if it is the right way to teach Christianity, but I’ll still take it any day over most of the other religious content I have seen.

If there is one movie that I am ashamed to admit I once enjoyed, it’s God’s Not Dead. I was 14-15 years old when I first saw it, and it was with my sister. The movie was available to watch on Netflix and at the time, we were both proud Catholics. Because of that, none of us cared that the movie is filled with bland storylines, racism and a clear vendetta to get viewers to believe in God and follow his ways or else horrible things will happen to us. My child’s brain was very happy to see that the pastor’s car starts up again only after he prays for it to work again, even though now it is super predictable to those who know propaganda when they see it. At the time, I did not care for the backgrounds of any of the actors, producers or movie studios that are behind the camera of any film, so I unknowingly felt heartwarmed from religious slop that uses hate and bigotry to get us to follow the word of God, which is not the right way to share beliefs. I felt very disappointed to find out all the controversies behind this abomination, including allegations of the Newsboys singer sexually assaulting 3 men. Which hit me the most because I enjoyed that music the most on the first watch.

I thankfully have not seen much other content like that as a child, but I’m afraid of what I could have turned out to be if I searched for more religious movies like that. My taste has gotten much better since then, yet despite that, I still fell for a few other movies with some Christian themes like Sound of Freedom starring Jim Caviezel as the controversial O.U.R. founder Tim Ballard. Just like with God’s Not Dead, it is a faith based production that I thought was touching at first due to the main character fighting child sex trafficking, but I was disappointed to find out Ballard’s true past. I truly gave up on Christian media at that point and eventually afterwards, I just could not see a reason to believe in God if a majority of his followers spread their word like this.

I have admittedly seen God’s Not Dead a few more times to not only look back at how problematic it truly is, but to also get a good laugh from the acting and lack of plot. Still, If I fell for its ideology at first, I can’t be the only one. It is a poor excuse for propaganda, but I would not be surprised if this was how some people found their faith in God. My advice: try not to be too influenced by what you see on TV or movies. And that especially goes for propaganda, which only tries to spread hate to specific groups of people and get us to praise a specific figure. As if it’s the only way to live our lives. We’re all individuals. We have to work it out for ourselves. Yes, I just quoted Life of Brian.

According to existential psychology there are four primary existential unknown concerns that all religious and non-religious people dread and deal with throughout their lives. Freedom (personal responsibility), meaninglessness (purpose), isolation (aloneness), and death (mortality). These are emotionally important ideas that all conscious humans think about throughout our lives but may never know for certain. According to existential psychology, existential concerns are driven inevitably from living and being aware of being alive. What we learn, what we are taught, our lived experiences, and our biological cognitive capacity determines the level of awareness and dread we may feel for these existential unknowns.

For this month we will explore the difficult emotional and psychological balance of taking personal responsibility and understanding when to let go. Of all the existential dreads, I think this is the most influential and difficult throughout our lives. We will explore Erick Fromm’s conclusion that how we chose to deal with our dread of personal responsibility has profound effects on our lives. In my view, of all the existential dreads that we struggle with, personal responsibility appears to be the clearest delineation between why people evolve into secular versus religious views.

Existential concerns are inevitable, not absolute, and change over time. The existential concerns at 5 years old will potentially change at 10, 20, and 70 years old. For example, a 5-year-olds concept of a god and existential answers for feelings of isolation presented to them in Sunday school will invariably be different after 70 years of lived experience. Also, a 5-year-old may want to be a firefighter at 5 years old but later concludes at 20 years old that they want to be monetarily stable and not do dangerous jobs. The healthiest way to deal with existential concerns would be to deal with and accept change and progression over one’s lifetime. Employing effective critical thinking skills and increasing one’s self-awareness for abilities, experiences, and biases is the most ideal way of dealing with existential concerns particular to one’s lived life.

Unfortunately, many of us are taught that our existential concerns are easy, can be absolute answers, and can be figured out for us by someone else. For example, a church tells us all we must do to succeed in life is; get a job, get married, have children, retire, a god takes care of everything else, and heaven in the end. This would shortcut most of our existential concerns. Taking existential shortcuts can be appealing because people can believe and perceive that they do not have to deal with or take responsibility for their existential concerns over their lifetime. Of course, taking personal responsibility for all our decisions and perceptions of reality can be scary, intimidating, and dreadful. However, existential crises still occur for people who choose to view life through shortcuts as deeper questions build over time.

Religions sell the idea to their believers that there are absolute answers for existential unknowns. The christian religion will tell their believers that humans are created by the god, we are not alone because there is an omniscient and omnipresent god, the god has a plan and purpose for us even if we do not understand (like a 2-year-old getting cancer), and that our conscious exists forever, even after our deaths. However, there is a catch. Christianity, like many religions, teaches that the individual must abdicate personal responsibility and personal freedom to the authority of gods, priests, and kings. The abdication of personal responsibility (submission to authority) is promoted as the highest form of morality in christianity. And for Humanists, secularists, and atheists that would be an immoral stance.

People who are taught to abdicate personal responsibility struggle with small and especially large existential concerns (unknown outcomes), due to over relying on external authority and social rules, instead of learning how to personally deal with the existential unknowns and cognitively growing over their lifetime. The person will then increasingly dread and avoid their personal existential and emotional conflicts due to poorly developed critical thinking skills and self-awareness. Critical thinking skills and self-awareness help people develop their sense of personal responsibility and personal morality as well.

Some examples of religious existential avoidance might be; god take the wheel (avoid taking personal responsibility), they are in a better place (avoid finality of death), god answers my prayers when I feel alone (avoid dealing with being alone and existing alone in one’s mind), and the priest told me I am to get married and have children (avoid determining ones purpose/meaning). To exist independent of authority or absolutes creates existential dread for those that fear taking personal responsibility outside of this dependence on authority and social structure. This is a particular existential crisis that people experience leaving the religious structure but is potentially also experienced by anyone who has been in any social structure that restricts them from being able to develop and be themselves, separate from a social or physical structure.

For non-religious people, morality develops parallel with critical thinking, personal experience, neurobiological attachment to environmental interactions, and metacognitive awareness throughout one’s life. The incorrect assertions that only religion can teach morality is more accurately stated - religion teaches children from a young formative age to abdicate their personal responsibility to authority figures, unseen gods, and rigid rules, which serves to cognitively, emotionally, and existentially stunt moral development and self-awareness. By taking existential responsibility throughout one’s life, to steadily face the inevitable unknowns and challenges of living life, will build tolerance and balance for one’s perception of existential dread. To take existential responsibility is to accept that you may not know what will happen but are willing to accept consequences that are for you, morally acceptable or outside of your control.

References:

Corsini, Raymond & Wedding, Danny. (2011). Current Psychotherapies, 9^th Ed. Brooks/Cole.

Fromm, Erich. (1941). Escape from Freedom. New York: Holt Paperbacks.

Solomon, Robert. (2001). Introducing Philosophy, 7^th Ed. Harcort Inc.

Yalom, Irvin. (1980). Existential Psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books.

For more reading on existential psychology and Existentialism:

Soren Kierkegaard, Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Albert Camus, Friedrich Nietzsche

As a child, I was led to believe that divorce is the worst thing that can happen to a family. Whenever my mother expressed her refusal to divorce from my father, I would smile and assume it shows how strong their bond is no matter how bad some situations between the two can get. As long as they stay together, everything will be fine. Now I realize that can not be further from the truth. My father is an abusive drunk who blames everything on my mother, and the only reason she refuses to leave him is just because of her Catholic beliefs.

While the Catholic church does not outright ban civil divorce, some followers are quite judgemental and will say that they are hurting God for splitting a marriage that he joined. Of course not all Catholics are like that, but those who are give off a horrible example. They scare fellow believers into staying in relationships that are harmful. Worst case scenario, someone in that relationship could be killed from a severe domestic altercation, either from murder or suicide. Not to mention if children are in the picture, I believe they suffer more from their parents fighting all the time rather than if they separate, despite what politicians and religious people want you to believe.

My family has multiple examples of avoiding divorce for religious reasons. My grandparents from my mother’s side happen to be divorced, but they tried their best to keep it a secret and even when everyone else figured it out, nobody ever brings it up outside of gossiping in private. The other being my own parents, as I mentioned in the introduction. Apparently my mother cares more about her beliefs than her own safety if she refuses to separate from an alcoholic egomaniac. Even when he is not drunk, he blames every single problem on her, and if she is ever left alone and he finds out, he will accuse her of cheating with nothing to back up his claim. He treats her like garbage, and I honestly believe she is brainwashed from not just how manipulative my dad is, but also from all the pressure from her church to not break from the marriage that God paired her with.

If you ever plan on getting married to the love of your life, and you’re worrying about how it will turn out, remember this: Divorce is a good thing. Not all relationships last, and if it does end for whatever reason, then it is for the best. If your marriage turns sour, then divorce is there to free you from the now unwanted pairing. Enjoy it while it lasts, and even if it ends, enjoy the rest of your life while it lasts.

I have been out of Catholicism for about half a year now. My realization of how little I actually cared about God or religious morals in general was a factor, but some pieces of media helped me realize that I should consider my beliefs. Each of these films reminded me of certain characteristics of hardcore religious groups, along with horrid events from history and the Bible that shook me when I found out about them. Then there are those that either show the dark side of a ‘nation under god’ through propaganda or a glimpse into a evangelical christian summer camp for kids.

#5: Monty Python’s Life of Brian

Director: Terry Jones

As a child/teen, I’d feel like I am sinning if I laugh at a joke that is aimed at God, Jesus, or anything related to a clergy. This satirical period piece helped free me from that worry, and had me thinking more about how extreme and how overly needy some religious people can be. Prosecuting an innocent man immediately after rejecting Brian as the messiah was an accurate portrayal of the type of prejudice they feel. I’m not sure how accurate the stoning scene is, but it would not surprise me if that is how religious followers used to punish those “guilty” of blasphemy. Each of these moments made it difficult to keep my laughter in, not just the Biggus Dickus scene, but most of these jabs were also pretty effective in making me think about their deeper meaning.

What stood out the most was Brian speaking to his followers, telling them “You don’t need to follow me! You don’t need to follow anybody! You’ve got to think for yourselves! You’re all individuals!”. Followed up with the crowd responding with “Yes! We are individuals!” in perfect sync, it makes a great jab on their high dependence on spirits and leaders for life guidance. There is also the rivalry between the People’s Front of Judea and multiple other religious/political organizations with similar names and views. Not too similar in their ideologies if they are different groups, which can be compared to some associations in real life.

#4: The Passion of Joan of Arc

Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer

This silent drama is a historically accurate depiction of the trial and execution of Jeanne d’Arc. Joan of Arc was a patron saint, and widely considered the savior of France for her role in the Hundred Years war. In the movie and in her last days, she was tried and executed for heresy. Burned at the stake for claiming she spoke to God, and even for dressing in men’s armor. The film is a brilliant dramatization of the trial, with Joan’s shocked facial expressions and the brutal conclusion as a result of Joan’s religious euphoria.

While the events of this film took place many centuries ago, I could not help but imagine that you could still be shunned by some people for any act of heresy. The church I once put my faith in having this kind of reputation did not make me feel confident about my beliefs. Executing someone over opinions or how they dress is evil, and I don’t want to be associated with a group like that. As if a history of child abuse was not enough.

#3: God’s Not Dead

Director: Harold Cronk

A disgrace and an embarrassment to all kinds of media, let alone those aimed at Christians. I was 14 years old when I first saw this movie. It was on Netflix and I watched it with my sister. Initially, we both enjoyed it as I did not know any better, especially when it came to religion. Growing up, the more I look back at this racist propaganda, the more I feel ashamed at my teenage self.

I could not care less about any of the characters, they have no character traits other than they love God or they’re a minority who should convert to Christianity. To put it shortly, this movie is racist and it tries its best to make atheists to be the worst people in existence. I can’t even remember half of this movie because of how boring its ‘morals’ are. There is so much wrong with the movie’s writing. Even if you can somehow ignore all the offensive subtext, I can’t help but try to think how and why that philosophy teacher got this job. It also has the worst subplot I have ever seen, where Reverend Dave used most of his screentime trying to get a rental car. The kicker? His car functions once again right after he prays to God. What else can you expect from Christian propaganda?

The ending alone is laughably horrible. Someone is dying on the road, and the right thing to do is to call 911, right? Well according to this abomination, you talk to the victim about Jesus. I hate putting this movie next to other movies that are actually much more redeeming. I realized that I must be far from the only one who somehow enjoyed this movie as a kid. I feel lucky that the bliss did not last forever, and the insulting elements from this movie give me some good reasons to rethink my beliefs. I respect all religions, but if I see someone who needs medical attention, I am acting fast and keeping Jesus out of my mind.

#2: Jesus Camp

Directors: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady

Arguably the most terrifying documentary I have seen so far, which is something I never thought I’d say but that’s the feeling you get when evangelical Christians are in charge of your children. With no interference or input from the filmmakers, the camera gives a glimpse into a community that is blinded by faith and God. Kids from Christian households are sent to a religious summer camp where charismatic evangelicals encourage them to “take back America for Christ”. What makes this film scary is that these kids are heavily abused by their families and camp counselors.

Seeing these children tear up over the fear of God’s wrath and ‘sins’ that aren’t even a problem makes me worry about any city or even any country run by religious nationalists (sound familiar?). This is a great reminder of why separation between church and state is necessary. My hope for society would weaken if communities become more and more like this.

#1: mother!

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Here we are at the movie that pretty much scared me out of Catholicism. Of course I did not decide to stop believing right after seeing this movie, but I would have never considered it if I had never seen this. It portrays the relationship between God, humanity, Mother Nature and Earth in the most gruesome ways possible. It is also a mapped out portrayal of the Old and New Testaments. A man, portrayed as God, who seemingly cares for his wife, who is Mother Nature, but throughout the story it becomes clear that he prioritizes his followers and religious ideas more. All hell breaks loose when he writes the “mother’s prayer”.

Inside the house, which represents Earth, all of God’s followers cause war and misery, destroying everything, giving huge dents to the structure. This does not apply to only religious people as the damaging house is symbolic to climate change as a result of humans being careless with their home. Mother was brought to a breaking point when the followers devoured the flesh and blood of her baby. Sound familiar?

Darren Aronofsky is quite a brave madman of a filmmaker for making this film that plenty of people have called demonic. It is a vile yet accurate portrayal of the events that took place in the Bible, while pointing out the dark side of the relationship between humanity and the environment. Needless to say, murdering a baby is more than enough to convince me to not be involved in any event or debate related to any sort of organized religion.

Whether or not you are a progressive or a conservative, an atheist or a Christian, you may use the term “Satanic” to describe a terrible action or thing, or describe any terrible person as a “Satanist.” However, this is a very dangerous thing to do for many reasons, from helping push the Church’s generational and hateful narratives, to continuing the stereotyping and scapegoating of an entire religious group.

Organized religion has always come with corruption and scandals, causing many to leave their places of worship out of disgust. This problem is especially prevalent in American Christianity, with churches constantly coming under fire for covering up child abuse, while promoting hatred towards LGBTQ+ groups. In order for these churches to keep their power, which required spreading fear amount their members, they would push the narrative of outside music and individuals being “Satanic” and “evil.” This especially became prevalent during the Satanic Panic, where churches were heavily pushing the narrative of “Devil-worshippers coming after our kids” during a time where allegations against priests were growing fast. This is why it is important to not call things “Satanic,” especially when related to horrific crimes like child abuse, as you are only continuing the distracting narrative of these corrupt churches that are actually abusing kids. It would be the equivalent of calling any terrorist attack “Islamic” or “Jewish,” which is wrong and bigoted.

Satanists are a real religious group that is growing around the world, with some Satanic organizations reporting hundreds of thousands of members. Because of the hateful narratives around Satanism and Devil-related imagery, Satanists have faced an uphill battle when it comes to discrimination and harassment, including an attempted bomb attack on the headquarters of a U.S Satanic group. This is an important reason why you should not call terrible people “Satanists,” as you are linking an entire religious group to a terrible person who is likely not even in the religion. It would be the equivalent of calling anyone who molests a child a “goddamn Muslim” or “goddamn Jew,” which is stereotypical and bigoted.

The whole concept of blindly calling everything “Satanic” is built on fear and bigotry, as opposed to logic and reason. The Satanic Panic was never about thinking logically or solving problems, instead it was about spreading fear. By calling something “Satanic,” you shut down critical thinking on what could be serious allegations or crimes, since you are using fear without logic to push a narrative, intentionally or not.

By continuing to call any terrible person a “Satanist” or a terrible action “Satanic,” you are pushing a generational moral panic that actively hurts people, while shutting down any form of critical thinking on important issues. Just be more careful with your words, especially when referring to a religious group, otherwise you are just being a bigot.

Are you a Satanist or an ally who is hoping to put your writing out there? Do you enjoy writing about current events, personal religious journeys, and/or niche subjects that many publications doubt their readers would be interested in?

If you fit any of these categories, then we suggest applying to become a volunteering writer for The Daily Pentagram. One of the main goals of The Daily Pentagram is to allow Satanic writers to share their works and gain recognition, so whether you decide if to publish one or two articles per week, or just publish a handful of articles once, it is up to you.

To apply, send us your full name, age, religion, and previous writings to tsc@thesataniccircle.org

Back in church school, I was taught a bunch of biblical and Catholic values that I mostly have forgotten about. One that stuck with me is forgiveness. But not for the right reason that I hoped when I believed in God. Catholic teachers and priests would say “confession is the key to restoring your relationship with God if you have sinned”. From my experience, It really did not feel like such. Word of advice to any priests that may be reading this: If you’re gonna back up a sensibly calming preach for your fellow children of God, please act like you mean it when you hear them out during a confession.

The day of my first communion. Half of me was excited because it was the first time I received ‘the blood and flesh of Christ’, which at the time I thought of as “holy candy and juice”. I was a pretty enthusiastic 12 year old. But before I unknowingly ate fake flesh and blood, I had to go through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (or my first confession). This is what the other half of me was nervous about. Which was a very justified feeling, especially with how the confession went. I assumed it would have gone well because I spent weeks memorizing multiple prayers, and what to say during the confession. Even after all that, when I was in line for the confession booth, I thought to myself……. What sin am I supposed to confess?

I was not a perfect child, far from it, but I could not think of a noteworthy sin to bring up. I’ve hidden report cards, lied to my parents, had a fight with another kid in school…… but even though I was taught to be honest about my mistakes, I was too worried about my parents somehow finding out about anything I have done if I told my priest. So I lied to him at the booth. Ironic, ain’t it? I told him that I once hit my sister, which I had never done but I felt like it would be a harsh enough sin to bring up so all my other wrongdoings would be much less important. As I did it, I knew a confession and some prayers would erase my sin of lying anyway. I figured he would be very understanding if everyone in the Catholic church was easily forgiving, but his tone said otherwise. I did not justify my “action” or even talk like I’d do it again, but boy did the heavenly father wish I was in hell from the scolding he gave me. By then I wished I had told him I got a frowny face on my school progress slip instead. I had to kneel down to say the ‘Hail Mary’ and ‘Our Father’ prayers 5 times each as a result.

That day left me kinda traumatized for a while. It’s really terrifying when a stranger speaks to me the way my dad would speak to me whenever I do something he does not like. I kept that confession to myself and tried to forget it so I could continue my faith in God. But one day I wondered what if I did physically harm a loved one. Would saying all those prayers really erase such an action? I feel like such blood would have been difficult to wash away even with holy water. It seemed like Catholics forgive too easily, but sometimes it’s the other way around. They could give a slap on the wrist to any priest that abuses children, but also whip you non stop with a leash for being a homosexual. Growing up, I have seen a lot of news stories and moments that made me realize some religious ethics can be quite fickle if preached by the wrong people. Most of the time, it’s hard to find the right people in that field.

Whether or not you should forgive someone depends on what their actions were. Ask yourself some questions like:

“Would they do it again?”

“Are they willing to change?”

“Can I be around them after what they did?”

Think to yourself and look through all the details before you decide to forgive thy neighbor. If you feel like they do not deserve your forgiveness, do not feel like you pissed off an angry spirit if you don’t forgive them. From experience, that mindset won’t do you wonders.

Confessions are hard, but holding in your feelings is no walk in the park either. If you feel the need to admit something to somebody, do so to the right person, keep an open mind and pay the consequences (depending on what you confess). At the end of the day, taking away all that weight off your chest will feel great.

On Sunday, we at The Satanic Circle announced the reopening of applications to kickstart Satanic Student Hub programs in public schools and public colleges across America. The press release on our site stating:

“The Satanic Circle has reopened applications for students to start their own Satanic Student Hubs at their schools/campuses.”

This press release just a month after we announced that Satanic College Club applications have reopened, with our press release stating:

“The Satanic College Clubs program has opened applications to open more clubs in colleges across the U.S. Please note that this program can only register so many at a time, though still feel free to apply!”

For more information, check out the pages for our Satanic College Club and Satanic Student Hub programs here: https://thesataniccircle.org/college-clubs

Last year, Fall 2025, I went from Catholic to Agnostic. I have many stories and some moments that make me happy I went this route, and one of them involves Lent. The 40 day period of fasting from meat to prepare for Easter, and is a form of self-reflection. During the 40 days, fasting only occurs during Ash Wednesday, and on any Friday (Including Good Friday). In my family, we also fast from meat during Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. Until recently, I have never actually had a problem with fasting from meat during those specific days because there are some great substitutes that are allowed like fish. In my family, chicken is allowed even though it still counts as flesh meat, but my mom would still allow it despite how religious she can be.

Even though I can fast with no problem, It is how my mother and I would feel whenever I eat meat during fasting days, by accident or through carelessness in general. She would scold me and say that I am hurting Jesus, making me feel terrible even if it’s just a piece of bacon. It was more likely for it to be an accident because I get so hungry that the restrictions slip my mind, but I guess I just have to feel like a blasphemer every time I hunger for some bacon. It is way more common now since I have been on the keto diet for over a year now and bacon is necessary in my diet.

Lent has never really been kind to my health either. Every year during this Catholic event, McDonald’s would offer a Filet-O-Fish for $2.50 every Friday until Easter. One year I took advantage of such a deal and I would order a Filet-O-Fish, along with a side of large fries, and a milkshake. I would order more than I usually would because of how cheap the fish sandwich was. My mindset was “Filet-O-Fishes are kinda healthy, considering its fish”, so I would get that nearly every day even outside of the Friday deal. Of course in hindsight, that is not true and it has made me fatter. Thankfully, years later I’d go on to lose a bunch of weight thanks to a diet that involves eating any kind of meat and anything else that does not have carbs. Everything in moderation is what I live by now.

Last year, I was in my first year of keto and then Lent came along. Every Friday I had to figure out what to eat for lunch since any meats (excluding Fish or Chicken) are not allowed. I normally do not bring my own lunch because I prefer to eat food that is as fresh as it possibly can, so I would try to go for keto-friendly options at any restaurant that is nearby my work. Chicken bowls from Waba Grill would be awesome, but I can’t eat rice and eating only chicken would not fill me for the rest of my shift. I had to deal with a moment like this every week to a point where I just could not be bothered to worry about “hurting Jesus” anymore. How can I hurt someone who is dead? And I’m pretty sure he has plenty of other things to worry about assuming he really is looking over people, like my mother would tell me. I decided to just eat meat during fasting days and lie about it when anyone from my family would ask if I did restrain from meat. Of course lying is considered a sin, so I am breaking a bunch of rules that could lead to me reading off a list to a priest during a confession. I realized, I haven’t even been to a confession since my first communion. Me and my family have not even been to a Sunday mass in years. We only go during certain holidays in December or when a loved one has passed on. This year, we did not even go to an Ash Wednesday service, but we’re still fasting (except me).

A lot of these realizations made me question my “faith”. Religion in general really is not for me. I feel like even pretending to be a Catholic everywhere I go would not only make me seem dishonest whenever someone quizzes me (It has happened), but It would also make me look no different than any religious nationalists. I have seen people like that read fake bible quotes and berate anyone who is not 100% faithful to the lord. I would not want to grow into that kind of person, so I decided to turn agnostic. I still pretend to believe in God in front of my family, but anywhere else, I am just completely indifferent to any religious opinions as long as they are not threatening or offensive. So far, I have continued to put bacon on my keto breakfast sandwich even on Fridays during Lent. I respect all religions, but bacon is awesome.

If you’re like me, and you’re trying to fake your religious beliefs while being yourself, hang in there. I personally am not sure if I can fool my family for too long, but I still feel like it’s worth it to be the person I am. I’m not the best with religious advice, but all I can say is believe in who/what you want to believe while respecting other people’s beliefs. Nobody should scorn you for what you are or what you believe in, especially if you’re in a country that protects freedom of religion. The short version is, don’t be a dick.

Sup. I’m HaLucha, aka Lucha.

I’m 24, agnostic, and I co-founded The Satanic Circle alongside my great friend, Hades Fonda. Thanks to him, I have nothing but respect for Satanists and their beliefs. Years ago, when I was Catholic, I would have believed any typical stereotypes involving this misunderstood religion. The community’s attitude and passion, along with injustices created by our current administration, have motivated me to help with any sort of charity and activism to protect those that Trump is threatening to unfairly persecute. As a latino person, I would be lying if I said I’m not that scared, but despite that, I want nothing more than to stand beside those who care deeply about the well being and care for any human regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.

I enjoy writing movie reviews, but when there is an opportunity to write an opinion piece about an important topic that I know and feel some passion about, I will deliver. I am currently working 40 hours a week and attending college, but like Hades, I will find some time to write for TDP.

I look forward to helping The Daily Pentagram whenever I can. If you’re a cinephile like me, look forward to more movie reviews/rankings in the future. When the time comes, I will not be afraid to have my voice heard on certain topics.

2025 was overall an amazing year for cinema. Netflix buying Warner Bros. and multiple live action Disney remakes left much to be desired, but these nine movies remind us that Hollywood still has plenty of great ideas if you just look far enough. Paul Thomas Anderson has made another banger, The horror genre made its way to the Oscars again, and Sony Animation dealt a huge low blow to Disney using demons and K-Pop. On the indie side, Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone return with a shocking satire on conspiracy theories, and the greatest film of the year is about table tennis. It’s a Josh Safdie film, so you know it will be thrilling and anxiety inducing. These are the best 2025 movies that I have seen, ranked.

#9: No Other Choice

Director: Park Chan-wook

Imagine working hard and dedicating your life for decades in an industry you are passionate about, but then artificial intelligence becomes involved. This act of soulless greed from corporations becomes too much for a paper worker, and he decides to use the ‘process of elimination’ to get the one job that he feels attached to. Making himself the last qualified man standing. As he does this bloody task, he sometimes underestimates his predecessors and ends up like Wile E. Coyote when he fails to catch the Road Runner. Basically, some killing scenes play out like a dark comedy version of Loony Toons, which is not that literal, but I can see the inspiration. Dropping a potted plant onto someone’s head does remind me of a cartoon anvil situation.

Each of the victims share a similar situation to Man-soo (the protagonist), which is why even though there was a random song playing during an attempted execution, making the scene laughable, I almost teared up from the first applicant’s demise. The message hits even harder when it is not just Man-soo that is suffering from unemployment after years of commitment to his field. Park Chan-wook’s vision is made clear through cartoonish styles of satire and the wonderstruck conclusion that accurately symbolizes what Man-soo’s life has become as a result of the increasing reliance on AI. This eventful, comical and compelling film will leave you asking one question: When will the bubble pop already?

#8: Frankenstein (2025)

Director: Guillermo del Toro

After this stunning version of Mary Shelly’s story by Guillermo del Toro, I refuse to refer to the creature as a ‘monster’. The acting fits the Victorian gothic setting very well, the dialogue has the potential to make people gasp and cry whenever acceptable, and this version of the creature is quite arguably my favorite of all versions of the classic monster. All Jacob Elrodi did during Victor’s backstory was say and yell “Victor!”, and it made my heart sink when he was facing death. That along with how Victor treated his creation proved that the doctor is a true monster. Dr. Frankenstein’s first half set the mood for the whole movie, but the creature’s side of the story really moved me through his friendship with the Blind Man. (literally the character’s name)

Fearing that he would be unaccepting of the “monster”, it was quite relieving that the blind man stuck to his personality and wisdom by taking the creature under his wing. It was so heartwarming seeing the montage of the creature learning everything he can and exploring the wonders of life and literature. A relationship that drove me to tears. The costume and production design, even with some CGI, really stood out to me as beautiful and refined. All of these parts have been put together to create a worthwhile entry that lives up to the Universal monster’s legacy.

#7: KPop Demon Hunters

Directors: Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang

Korean Pop music has gotten very popular over the years in the west. I found some songs from the genre to be decent, but nothing gave me the urge to shake my shoulders. Of course credit for that change goes to Soda Pop, but each song from the soundtrack is just as infectious and upbeat. Ironically, each time a song from either Huntrix or Saja Boys, its purpose is to make us forget about the rival band. Each song gets better, so well played.

At first, I did not expect to love this movie as much from the title. It sounded like a weird way to crossover a trendy music genre with hunters of a specific monster type and I was not interested. After seeing this movie for the first time, I completely understand why some friends begged me to watch this. Unexpectedly, the story is very well crafted. I will not say much to avoid spoilers, but using music to create and hold the strength of a shield between the demon world and the real world is a pretty magical and imaginative way to include this as a musical. The music itself is awesome, and the story with some shocking reveals never lets you go. Like Gwi-Ma’s voice in your head.

Sony Pictures Animation sometimes releases soulless cashgrabs (don’t even get me started on The Emoji Movie and The Smurfs), but when it comes to comebacks in the form of Spider-Verse and KPDH, they sure do know how it’s done.

#6: Bugonia

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

I assumed I would have a good time watching this seemingly insane conspiracy theorist vs. billionaire story, laughing at how ridiculous the plot is and nothing more. Little did I know that Teddy, played by Jesse Plemons, had a really detailed and interesting character arc behind him, backed up with chilling and sometimes stinging dialogue that slowly builds up development on both the characters and the situation. No one just simply turns into a maniacal reddit theorist overnight, so Teddy’s backstory and a conversation that digs into his mind through psychology really exposes how fragile he is as a person and how committed he is to his belief in the billionaire having andromeda roots. As for Michelle, the billionaire played by Emma Stone, had nerves of steel for being able to sit through Teddy’s Reddit-like conspiracy fallacies. When she is able to outsmart and convince him of what he wants to hear, her change of tone and gripping monologue will convince anyone that the theory is true no matter how droll it is.

The ending was not really for me because it made the movie in general just a bit more ridiculous than it needed to be, but even with that, I still love how this movie turned out. The way this story was set up is very impressive. A conspiracy theorist did not need an actually engaging and saddening motivation, but it fits quite well in a psychological standpoint. Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons both had standout performances that made the dialogue scenes work better than they needed to. This movie reminds me that conspiracy theories can be dangerous. Especially if it is all you consume. You lose the ability to trust, you victimize everything/everyone, and when a true act of conspiracy happens, you ignore it like how Teddy reacts to realistic reasons as to why bees are dying.

#5: Sinners

Director: Ryan Coogler

Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan team up again (fresh off of the Creed trilogy) to create arguably the most exceptional vampire horror film of all time. Smoke and Stack, twins played by Jordan, leave their lives of crime behind and move back home in Prohibition era Mississippi to open a music bar. Only for it to be overrun by vampires who are thirsty for blood, culture and family. The first half takes quite a while to build up to the brilliant other half, but the cinematography, writing and irresistible chemistry between each actor made it a joy to sit through. However, the ‘I Lied to You’ sequence and the involvement of the vampires is when the record 16 Oscar nominations really start to justify themselves.

Miles Canton as Sammie sings ‘I Lied to You’ while past and future ancestors sing and dance to their respective cultures to the rhythm of Sammie’s number. A musical number like that makes me appreciate not just music of all cultures more, but it reminds me of why I love cinema in general. The same can be said for ‘Rocky Road to Dublin’, which filled me with excitement. Vampires that long for not only blood, but for a community against oppression. A very interesting and likeable trait for the antagonists. They also share the thoughts and talent of anyone they possess which is a really cool power. If the music isn’t enough, then the fight scene near the end will satisfy any action lovers thirsty for blood.

Even vampires aren’t your thing, this movie will still have you at the edge of your seat. It has some of the best blues music I have ever heard, and all of the lore was fascinating.

#4: Bring Her Back

Directors: Danny and Michael Philippou

A woman grieves over the loss of her visually impaired daughter. She can never get over it. So much so that she resorts to doing a ritual which can….. Well, you know the title of the movie. That plot is interesting enough, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the meat on that bone. The main characters aren’t part of the ritual lady’s family, but their involvement, especially Piper, is crucial to the story. And it’s made even better with the loss of their father and how it’s eventually shown how abusive he was to Andy (Piper’s brother). It fits because of how abusive Laura (the lady trying to do the ritual) will turn out to be so she can have Piper all to herself. As these events transpire, I felt thrilled from all the gripping drama with convincing acting.

Sally Hawkins gives off the best possible performance for her character, Laura. She’s a former counselor, grieving over the loss of her daughter, who is so desperate to revive her. The process includes witchcraft, a ritual that has some sacrifices and rules that blend in with the themes of the story. Even Laura’s evil actions can be compared to, which is where Hawkins’ seemingly genuine manners and reactions play a huge part. Laura’s descent into a wicked and immoral mindset comes as a result of an inability to get over the loss of her loved one, and I could not get enough of the performance that made this spellbinding and disturbing story come to life.

To any fellow blood and gore lovers, there is plenty of that in this movie thanks to what the demon is hungry for. Lets just say, there are sharp edges involved. It gets so shocking, even I, a lover of the Saw franchise, looked away. It is genuinely one of the scariest supernatural horror films I have ever seen. If you liked Hereditary, you should give this one a shot.

#3: One Battle After Another

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Another banger on PTA’s resume, this movie is anti-facism or Antifa propaganda depending on what side you are on, politically. It certainly shines a light on a U.S. government that is plagued with oppression, but it is against a rebellion team that can be unprepared at times. This one is a really fun to watch but also captivating action thriller that will make you laugh in one minute thanks to Leonardo DiCaprio’s brilliant performance as a washed up rebel, but then will make you scared/sad in the next minute when you see corrupted military men harm innocent people. This movie was one hell of a rollercoaster, and it was also because of the brilliant score. That piano theme during Bob’s escape is something that will stay on my mind for quite a while, especially when it is played during a chain of events, involving a Mexican sensei helping his family and friends hide from the military. Made me hope that they are not found.

I have more to say, but I’d be here not all day, but all week. I love most of the good guys (fuck that rat), and hate the antagonists. That’s enough to make a story worth listening to, but combined with the thrilling cinematography, fun and anxious score, a car chase scene that has a super clever end, dialogue that I can’t help but either laugh hard or feel scared, and the movie in general being a big middle finger to facism. It is nothing short of a modern masterpiece. Viva la revolution!

#2: Weapons

Director: Zach Cregger

Hot off the success of his 2022 debut horror film Barbarian, Zach Cregger exceeded my expectations with this horror/mystery/thriller film about a class of children who T-pose run out of their houses, and they never return. Every important character has their own segment that provides a slow burn, bringing us closer to the big picture through spooky hints and terrifying visuals. You will remember to always lock your car doors when you see a seemingly drunk lady coming at you with scissors. As expected from a movie made by a former comedian, some laughable elements are provided and are actually a joy to laugh at. They hardly even take away from the otherwise horror-stricken theme, and especially the conclusion that is best seen without detail

Weapons has some of the best cinematography or camera movement I have ever seen in a horror film. When someone knocks at a door or when someone is woken from a nightmare, the camera smoothly moves to the right or left to aim at a door. You also get similarly smooth and nicely in sync frames as they follow the characters walking into a liquor store or trying to find their target as their arms are out. When the kids left their homes at 2:17am, where the camera aims is just right as you see them leave their homes at night with only a few lights just barely showing their face as they run into the dark. The way some frames follow the kids fits the tragic and confusing event. The music also helps. This movie is visually stunning.

Cregger has been on a roll making films that are very unpredictable. Which is why I must insist that I withhold most plot points. All I can say at this point is that even with its noticeable flaws, every single moment kept my eyes glued to the screen. The performances were perfect for the characters (Amy Madigan deserves that Oscar nom), the twists/reveals were very satisfying, and although the ending is divisive, I thought it made sense from what the kids went through. A truly extraordinary experience is how I would describe my theater experience when I saw this. Those who have seen this may find this weird, but I cried from how shocking, hilarious, and overwhelming that conclusion was. If anyone deserves the “twisted mind” title, it is Zach Cregger.

#1: Marty Supreme

Director: Josh Safdie

The best sports movie I have ever seen (Table tennis counts as a sport. Ask the olympics). Marty can absolutely be an irritating and shocking character but much like Howard from Uncut Gems, you do feel just some sympathy when you take some of his situation into account. They make their own gambles, but their bad luck is so sad and unnerving. While these chain of events happen, you just can’t help but stay invested in the story to see Marty get a win and then stop taking advantage of people. I feel like after the ending, that is the case. Uncut Gems had a divisive ending (It made sense in my eyes but I can see why it turned most people off), but this movie gave such a sigh of relief for the audience and the protagonist. My Apple Watch went off saying my heart was beating too fast thanks to the final table tennis match. Marty gets what’s coming to him, but I did not wanna see him humiliate himself anymore. This kind of build up successfully made me cheer for him despite his trash talk and antics, all of which are convincingly sold very well by Timothee Chalamet in his best performance so far. He oozed charisma, and his no filter persona really shined. Some Auschwitz jokes caught the whole theater off guard. Me and a few other people slightly yelled “wooooow” and tried to hold in our laughter.

This film is full of unexpected turns and twists, backed up by juggernaut performances. A story about a boy wanting to make it big as a ping pon- oh sorry, table tennis player sounds like a dull biopic. But Josh Safdie really cooked up a buffet with this one. I could not get enough of these mishaps that seemed shoved in at first, but are then revealed to be important to the story by either giving Marty another obstacle in his path or giving him an opportunity to make it big. I thought it was nothing but crazy to have a hot tub fall from a ceiling and crush an old man’s arm, but thankfully that was not just shock value thanks to what opportunity it gave Marty as a result. I would say more but this movie must be seen to be believed. A hustling masterpiece, and my personal pick for Best Picture of 2025.

The Satanic Circle hosted their first-ever State of Hell, an annual event that recaps the accomplishments of the organization within the year, while announcing new projects that weren’t previously discussed.

BonfireSatanism.com

A new website that discusses and defines The Satanic Circle’s official denomination of Satanism. The website also contains a new merchandise store, with merchandise that contains Bonfire Satanism symbols and messaging. You can access the website now at bonfiresatanism.com.

Satanic Student Hubs

A new option for those who want to start a Satanic College Club, but are unable to for various reasons. Satanic Student Hubs can be started by just one student, without the need for school/campus approval. You can apply to start a Satanic Student Hub here: https://thesataniccircle.org/student-hubs-apply-to-start

TSC’s Online Communities Program

A program of The Satanic Circle dedicated to hosting private online communities for Satanists and their allies, including a new Minecraft server with a whitelist, griefing protections, and chat filters that block out spam and preaching. You can apply to join the Minecraft server. SataniCraft, later next month. You can view the page discussing the program here: https://thesataniccircle.org/online-communities

The Daily Pentagram

A blog of The Satanic Circle dedicated to posting articles written by Satanists and their allies on discussions such as Satanic life, current events, movies, and more. You are reading this page on The Daily Pentagram right now.

If you want to support these programs and their growth, along with future projects of The Satanic Circle, please consider making a donation, or becoming a monthly donor here: https://thesataniccircle.org/pages/donate

Bonfire Satanism is the official denomination of Satanism supported by The Satanic Circle, which denounces the fascist “Might is Right” ideology in LaVeyan Satanism, while promoting equality and the coexistence of differing groups of people, while promoting the importance of self-care and self-respect. Bonfire Satanism is a non-theistic denomination, meaning we do not believe in or worship a literal Satan. The bonfire represents a symbol of community and liberation, given its usage in friendly gatherings and burnings of hateful symbols.

CRITICAL THINKING

Bonfire Satanism pushes for critical thinking by thinking for yourself. Many different people will conform to following a crowd just because everyone else is doing so. We believe that blind conformity destroys self-esteem and identity, whether it is conforming to a trend, idea, or a movement.

PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE

Many religious groups will demand a return to a “golden age” of society. However, we believe in progress and hope for a better future, and this is because of the increasing knowledge of society. Even when new information conflicts with our deeply-held beliefs and opinions, we are willing to dig deep into the information.

CONFRONTING INTOLERANCE

While some Satanist groups view bigotry as “free speech,” we demand that hate speech not be tolerated in any society. We believe that hate speech is unconstructive, dangerous, and harmful the more it is tolerated in society. Our definition of hate speech is the stereotyping, denial of rights, and/or call to violence towards a protected group.

SELF-CARE & CARE FOR THOSE YOU LOVE

Bonfire Satanists do not worship a god whatsoever. Instead, we worship ourselves by taking care of our physical and mental health, while taking care of those we love. We also refuse to care and support those who we do not respect, as we believe that we only have so much respect and energy to pass around, which is why we call those who waste them “parasites.”

TAKING CARE OF THE PLANET

Since Earth is the only planet we have, we believe that we must take care of it. We make sure to clean our spaces, pick up our trash, confront those who litter, and avoid polluting the planet as much as possible. Bonfire Satanist groups will often pick up highways together, engage in enviornmental awareness campaigns, and protest those who increase the severity of climate change. groups We believe that we should leave Earth cleaner and healthier than it was before.

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST

Since we do not believe in an afterlife, we believe in taking advantage of the time we have in this one life. We refuse to waste our time with people who disrespect and drain us, instead we spend our limited time with those we love in the places we love. We often use symbols such as hourglasses and skulls to symbolize the inevitability of death, which serves as a reminder of our limited time, while providing us with comfort that nothing will not matter when it eventually ends.

THE 8 ORDERS OF BONFIRE SATANISM

(our commandments)

I

RESPECT THOSE WHO EARN IT; NEVER WASTE IT ON THOSE WHO DO NOT.

II

GOOD TROUBLE IS NECESSARY FOR REAL CHANGE.

III

BODILY AUTONOMY IS SACRED; VIOLATE IT AT YOUR OWN PERIL.

IV

THE FREEDOMS OF OTHERS ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE; IF YOU DISRESPECT THEM, YOU DISRESPECT YOUR OWN.

V

TRUST SCIENCE, NOT SUPERSTITION OR BLIND FAITH.

VI

OWN YOUR MISTAKES AND FIX THE DAMAGE YOU HAVE CAUSED.

VII

RESPECT NATURE, OR WE ALL FACE THE CONSEQUENCES.

VIII

LIVE HARD, IMPROVE CONSTANTLY, AND NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF WHO YOU ARE.

THE 8 FAULTS

(our DO NOTs)

1. WILLFUL IGNORANCE

2. HERD CONFORMITY

3. LEAVING TRASH BEHIND

4. INCOMPETENCE

5. COMPULSION

6. FORGETTING PAST ORTHODOXIES

7. LOSING YOURSELF

8. HARMING CHILDREN

THE 8 SATANIC STATEMENTS

(our view of the symbol of Satan)

1. Satan stands for indulgence and self-satisfaction without fear of judgement, for we are still animals after all.

2. Satan stands for living hard and improving constantly, without waiting for the promise of a false afterlife.

3. Satan stands for loving and spending time with those who deserve it, rather than parasites.

4. Satan stands for respecting nature and the protection of our environment.

5. Satan stands for seeking knowledge, even when it challenges long-held beliefs.

6. Satan stands for good trouble and freedom of blasphemy, regardless of who takes offense.

7. Satan stands against tyranny, especially when it hides behind religious authority.

8. Satan is the reason the Church holds the power it does; and the reason it fears losing it.

Learn more about Bonfire Satanism and its symbolism at: https://bonfiresatanism.com

Sup. I am Hades Fonda.

I am a 21 year old Satanist who founded The Satanic Circle in February 2025, in response to the beginning of Trump’s second term, and the allegations against The Satanic Temple from its former members.


I write about Satanic life, current events and religious nationalism across the world. However, most of my writings will be based on politics and events taking place in America, as that is where I live after all. You might not see me writing much for The Daily Pentagram, as I have many different projects to focus on at the moment. Though I will still find time to write for all of you.

Stay tuned as we continue growing The Daily Pentagram with more content and more writers.