There was an announcement today about a film being made of Sammy Davis Jr’s history with the Church of Satan. Havinga friend who sits on the ruling body, the Council of Nine, I considered myself mostly familiar with the history,politics and beliefs of the CoS. And then I read the Rolling Stone article it was based on.

After reading it, I felt , to be honest, sad. To me the article highlighted the fundemental flaws in CoS practice and theory. And why other organizations like the Satanic Temple are prospering while the CoS keeps shrinking.

What the CoS, Order of the Nine Angles, Temple of Set and others of their ilk fail to recognize is one of the greatest strengths of humanity: acts of service.

I’m not going to go out there and say go do great things. I’m saying to just think of others once in a while, and act accordingly . There’s a lot to be said for doing so. And really better if you do it at sometime other than right now. Everyone stops giving January 1st. I wish more people would start.

And the acts can be so small and have big ripples. My new boss is always trying to find new ways to help out, Does it make me want to be a better worker for her ? Damn skippy it does. Do I always become one? Not always. But nobody’s perfect. Except that one guy, and we killed him. Just kidding, people. If you don’t think the gods don’t have a sense of humor you haven’t seen a platypus or or swhat happens when an Irish wolfhound and a chihuahua mate.

That’s why it annoys me when people who claim to be of service spread hate. I don’t give to the Salvation Army because they’re trans and homo phobic. So many churches only donate for show, without really accomplishing anything.

Maybe that’s why I found the article so sad. Sammy died alone and in debt. Anton Lavey died pretty damn unhappy too. But it’s amazing how giving can feel. And it’s not just handing out bucks. Say something nice to a random stranger. Think about it first, especially you cis males. It can go from aw to horror in seconds flat. And none of this negging bullshit. Back handed compliments are the worst kind.

In the end, we all need each other, despite what the Libertarians say. Covid should have taught us that, but so many stupid people didn’t learn. And I feel sorry for those people, because they generally die alone, wondering why they ended up that way. Lots of good people do too, but maybe if we started looking on each other as important, and start from a place of love, and not hate, might make less people lonely and alone. Good night.

PS. Acts of service have nothing to do with your spiritual beliefs. Like Dalton said: be nice.