Thank you, Bob, for another informative and important column. I particularly like your emphasis on the role of anthropology in your values: 'The purpose of anthropology is to make the world safe for human differences.” So important, particularly right now.
Bob, I just saw that you retired on my curious visit to the KNIA page, and then I search around and find this wonderful substack you have going.
I am so glad that you have found success on here in your 'retirement' and love what I have read. As usual your empathy and thoughtfulness is offensive to only those that would seek to avid acknowledging that the people they disagree with are just that, people.
I know exactly how you feel when criticized for something you've written. It must be what keeps me from expressing more of my opinions, whipsawed between passion and dread. Perhaps this is the fear and loathing Hunter Thompson described.
A radiologist friend in Florida first alerted me to the Iowa Satanist display via an article in the UK's Daily Mail of December 10th. His take on it was "Who you gonna call, Ghost Busters? The Temple people make a lot more sense then their opponents, to overstate the obvious…... "
Bob, I admire your willingness to dive into unknown territory to share with us. You enlightened those of us who aren’t inclined to do it for ourselves. A friend asked me to go to the Republican caucus to put in a vote against trump. My response was that I was sure I would break out in a rash, and shout out “what the hell (if I’m allowed to say that here) is the matter with you people”. I don’t have your courage or patience. Thank you, to you and Laura for doing it for us.
"This is Iowa...not New Orleans" So much to unpack there. In any case, Iowa is better off for your having written the piece.
In other contexts I've had similar reactions to stuff I've written and though of course nobody is obliged to like somebody else's work, this tone of "get off the schoolyard," when used by adults, is pretty weird.
What a beautiful take on an issue all of us deal with one way or another. Thank you for the wisdom and understanding without the rancor. Your writing is a gift of understanding.
Your Mr. X doesn't understand that reporting on something does not implicitly mean the journalist is editorially supporting or taking any position on a particular point of view. Just reporting that it's there.
We were not schooled on the capos and underbosses of the netherworld when I was in Catholic school. But the last time I saw Baphomet come up was when a Catholic priest from Nebraska tried to perform an exorcism over the U.S. Congress during the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. I guess he was trying to expel Baphomet from Congress as others were building a gallows to hang the vice president, which I believe would be a mortal sin in violation of the Fifth Commandment if they had carried it out, not to mention a crime. The padre's bishop said he misused his priestly office (he wore his Roman collar and priestly attire to the riot) and was not an authorized exorcist. Take that latter one for what it's worth. His parishioners back in Nebraska said they'd been warning the bishop about the guy for quite some time, and I guess the priest had to read a written apology according to a followup piece I saw either in the Omaha World Herald or the Lincoln Journal-Star.
I know there's Satanists but I suspect, as someone else noted here, that this Iowa Capitol stunt may have been a little tongue in cheek. You know better since you spoke with them. Personally, I'd rather try to live a good life and look for the light than revel in the darkness. But our faith communities, it seems, are no more or less politically divided than the rest of society.
History has shown us you can wrap a theological rationalization around any political point of view you like, from the political split between Rome and Constantinople resulting in the Great Schism, to book bans, to Vladimir Putin finding a cleric to justify his invasion of Ukraine. But there's a baseline right and wrong we all should be shooting for whatever our believe system is. I'd like to think that's what our system of justice is based on. Butchery and brutality is not moral.
On a lighter note, that was an awesome UNI hoodie you had on in that photo of you and Laura in Newton!
Well said! Thanks for the context and history. I think the main goal of the Satanists is pointing out hypocrisy, as I believe Doug pointed out below. Agree totally with trying to "live a good life and look for the light than revel in the darkness." Thanks!
Bob, thank you for your transparent writing and your openness of explaining your thought process. BTW-did you intentionally name this person ‘Mr. X’ as some reference to Mr. Musk’s alleged allegiance to absolute freedom of speech within his X platform?
...your Mr.X isn’t much of a loss. I’d struggle to work my brain around satanists, but the truth is that I struggle to work my brain around the views of a great many people who consider themselves Christians. The difference between the two groups seems to me to be intent: the Satanists are happy to practise theit beliefs amongst themselves, while so many Christians feel a need (or perhaps an obligation) to impose their beliefs on others. I prefer the former.
Agreed. I think there are still many good Christians out there who aren't White Nationalists or Dominionists. I wish we would hear more from them about those who have hijacked their faith.
I consider myself middle of the road and often vote Republican. I also feel like an anthropologist and am curious about people and their opinions. This post made me feel two things at the same time - one, you consider yourself a very open person. This was evidenced by your willingness to interview the Satanists. However, I also felt very disliked by you for my views. These two things seem contradictory.
No, I don't dislike you, but I understand why you might think that. I dislike very few people, but won't support current Republican policies that harm us and our democracy. I still vote for local Republicans with integrity and Iowa values. The last Republican I voted for was drummed out of office for supporting our public schools with a primary challenger that Kim Reynolds endorsed. The person who beat him is a good friend I just simply disagree with. Thanks for reaching out!
That was quite a reaction from Mr. X. I personally appreciated your curiosity about the Satanist display and your further inquiry into the tenets the group holds. I am enlightened and find much in common with those beliefs.
Mr X sounds like Church Lady from SNL. Eastern Iowa legislator, Brad Sherman, speaks of Satan so often I expect Satan to be at an Iowa Republican caucus. Bob, keep your mind open and pencil.sharp. BTW New Orleans is the home of the amazing WWII Museum and the historical St Louis Cathedral which must scare Satan. Amen
Thank you, Bob, for another informative and important column. I particularly like your emphasis on the role of anthropology in your values: 'The purpose of anthropology is to make the world safe for human differences.” So important, particularly right now.
Margaret
Thanks much Margaret!
Right on, Dr. Bob. Write on!
Bob, I just saw that you retired on my curious visit to the KNIA page, and then I search around and find this wonderful substack you have going.
I am so glad that you have found success on here in your 'retirement' and love what I have read. As usual your empathy and thoughtfulness is offensive to only those that would seek to avid acknowledging that the people they disagree with are just that, people.
Thanks, Evan! Appreciate it. Hope you are well.
I am, and I hope things are well for you! How is your son doing? (He must be around college age now?)
He's having fun doing his art in Boston! Very proud of him.
I know exactly how you feel when criticized for something you've written. It must be what keeps me from expressing more of my opinions, whipsawed between passion and dread. Perhaps this is the fear and loathing Hunter Thompson described.
A radiologist friend in Florida first alerted me to the Iowa Satanist display via an article in the UK's Daily Mail of December 10th. His take on it was "Who you gonna call, Ghost Busters? The Temple people make a lot more sense then their opponents, to overstate the obvious…... "
Please don't second guess yourself on this one.
Thanks Scott! Much appreciated.
Bob, I admire your willingness to dive into unknown territory to share with us. You enlightened those of us who aren’t inclined to do it for ourselves. A friend asked me to go to the Republican caucus to put in a vote against trump. My response was that I was sure I would break out in a rash, and shout out “what the hell (if I’m allowed to say that here) is the matter with you people”. I don’t have your courage or patience. Thank you, to you and Laura for doing it for us.
"This is Iowa...not New Orleans" So much to unpack there. In any case, Iowa is better off for your having written the piece.
In other contexts I've had similar reactions to stuff I've written and though of course nobody is obliged to like somebody else's work, this tone of "get off the schoolyard," when used by adults, is pretty weird.
Thanks, Charles. I'm sure you have had similar unsettling reactions...
What a beautiful take on an issue all of us deal with one way or another. Thank you for the wisdom and understanding without the rancor. Your writing is a gift of understanding.
Thanks, Jeff!
Oh boy Bob...
Your Mr. X doesn't understand that reporting on something does not implicitly mean the journalist is editorially supporting or taking any position on a particular point of view. Just reporting that it's there.
We were not schooled on the capos and underbosses of the netherworld when I was in Catholic school. But the last time I saw Baphomet come up was when a Catholic priest from Nebraska tried to perform an exorcism over the U.S. Congress during the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. I guess he was trying to expel Baphomet from Congress as others were building a gallows to hang the vice president, which I believe would be a mortal sin in violation of the Fifth Commandment if they had carried it out, not to mention a crime. The padre's bishop said he misused his priestly office (he wore his Roman collar and priestly attire to the riot) and was not an authorized exorcist. Take that latter one for what it's worth. His parishioners back in Nebraska said they'd been warning the bishop about the guy for quite some time, and I guess the priest had to read a written apology according to a followup piece I saw either in the Omaha World Herald or the Lincoln Journal-Star.
I know there's Satanists but I suspect, as someone else noted here, that this Iowa Capitol stunt may have been a little tongue in cheek. You know better since you spoke with them. Personally, I'd rather try to live a good life and look for the light than revel in the darkness. But our faith communities, it seems, are no more or less politically divided than the rest of society.
History has shown us you can wrap a theological rationalization around any political point of view you like, from the political split between Rome and Constantinople resulting in the Great Schism, to book bans, to Vladimir Putin finding a cleric to justify his invasion of Ukraine. But there's a baseline right and wrong we all should be shooting for whatever our believe system is. I'd like to think that's what our system of justice is based on. Butchery and brutality is not moral.
On a lighter note, that was an awesome UNI hoodie you had on in that photo of you and Laura in Newton!
Well said! Thanks for the context and history. I think the main goal of the Satanists is pointing out hypocrisy, as I believe Doug pointed out below. Agree totally with trying to "live a good life and look for the light than revel in the darkness." Thanks!
Bob, thank you for your transparent writing and your openness of explaining your thought process. BTW-did you intentionally name this person ‘Mr. X’ as some reference to Mr. Musk’s alleged allegiance to absolute freedom of speech within his X platform?
I'm not sure why I came up with "Mr. X" Thanks, Ralph.
...your Mr.X isn’t much of a loss. I’d struggle to work my brain around satanists, but the truth is that I struggle to work my brain around the views of a great many people who consider themselves Christians. The difference between the two groups seems to me to be intent: the Satanists are happy to practise theit beliefs amongst themselves, while so many Christians feel a need (or perhaps an obligation) to impose their beliefs on others. I prefer the former.
Agreed. I think there are still many good Christians out there who aren't White Nationalists or Dominionists. I wish we would hear more from them about those who have hijacked their faith.
I really enjoy your thoughtful explorations of public events. I feel better informed after reading your posts. Keep up the good work!
I too do not get the New Orleans reference. But I sure wish you'd identify Mr. X. My curiosity is piqued!
I consider myself middle of the road and often vote Republican. I also feel like an anthropologist and am curious about people and their opinions. This post made me feel two things at the same time - one, you consider yourself a very open person. This was evidenced by your willingness to interview the Satanists. However, I also felt very disliked by you for my views. These two things seem contradictory.
No, I don't dislike you, but I understand why you might think that. I dislike very few people, but won't support current Republican policies that harm us and our democracy. I still vote for local Republicans with integrity and Iowa values. The last Republican I voted for was drummed out of office for supporting our public schools with a primary challenger that Kim Reynolds endorsed. The person who beat him is a good friend I just simply disagree with. Thanks for reaching out!
I enjoyed your article. Keep up the opinions. We learn from keeping an open mind.
That was quite a reaction from Mr. X. I personally appreciated your curiosity about the Satanist display and your further inquiry into the tenets the group holds. I am enlightened and find much in common with those beliefs.
Mr X sounds like Church Lady from SNL. Eastern Iowa legislator, Brad Sherman, speaks of Satan so often I expect Satan to be at an Iowa Republican caucus. Bob, keep your mind open and pencil.sharp. BTW New Orleans is the home of the amazing WWII Museum and the historical St Louis Cathedral which must scare Satan. Amen
Thanks Mary! Sherman is one of the most hypocritical of them all. He lies so much I don't know how he keeps them straight.