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666: Lessons from the Satanic Panic with Mike Cosper

The Holy Post

Release Date: 04/23/2025

685: Finding Unity in a Divided Church with Beth Moore show art 685: Finding Unity in a Divided Church with Beth Moore

The Holy Post

Is unity in the church still possible when everyone is so divided? At the Legacy Conference in Chicago, Beth Moore joins Esau, Kaitlyn, and Skye to wrestle with what it means to remain in community with believers we deeply disagree with. Together they explore why purity tests are dividing Christians online, how cynicism masquerades as wisdom, and why endless outrage is not a productive way to go through life. Plus, some Q and A with the audience, and humpback whales may be the key to solving the empathy debate.   Holy Post Plus: Bonus Q&A Question: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: ...

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684: Dobson Died, Cracker Barrel Cancelled, & Flipping Christian Politics with James Talarico show art 684: Dobson Died, Cracker Barrel Cancelled, & Flipping Christian Politics with James Talarico

The Holy Post

James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, died this week. Critics are saying Dobson was the “godfather of child abuse,” while his fans are saying he belongs on the Mount Rushmore of evangelicalism. Who’s right? Phil, Skye, and Mike Erre discuss Dobson’s legacy and why the controversial conservative is secretly responsible for the creation of VeggieTales. Rising political social media star and Texas state representative, James Talarico, joins Skye to talk about his faith and what makes his frequent references to Christianity in his progressive politics different from the...

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683: The Meaning of the Scopes Monkey Trial 100yrs Later with Chris Staron show art 683: The Meaning of the Scopes Monkey Trial 100yrs Later with Chris Staron

The Holy Post

New data shows the nations with the highest standards of living are seeing the sharpest declines in wellbeing, while people in poorer countries are reporting more happiness. What’s going on? David Brooks’ recent article looked at data from 142 countries, and he concludes that spirituality and social connection, not just wealth, are critical to human flourishing. In related news, since legalizing euthanasia in 2016 and expanding access to it, Canada has seen an alarming trend. Then, it’s been 100 years since the Scopes Monkey Trial. Phil talks to Chris Staron, creator of the Truce...

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682: Why We Still Need the Institutional Church with Brad Edwards show art 682: Why We Still Need the Institutional Church with Brad Edwards

The Holy Post

The Holy Post crew is suspicious of a new study that finds MAGA supporters score higher in  authoritarianism, social dominance, and malevolent personality traits, while liberals score higher in compassion and empathy. Church planter, Brad Edwards, says many of us hold beliefs, language, and values that sabotage our ability to benefit from participation in a church. He talks to Kaitlyn about his new book, “The Reason for Church,” and why our anti-institutional instincts are self-defeating. Also this week, the Secretary of Defense reposted comments from his pastor that women shouldn’t be...

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681: Strategically Small Churches with Brandon O'Brien show art 681: Strategically Small Churches with Brandon O'Brien

The Holy Post

 A whites-only community has launched in Arkansas under the legal guise of a “private membership association.” The founders claim it’s about preserving culture, but Skye and Phil aren’t buying it. Then, Brent Leatherwood, head of the Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy arm, has resigned after years of pressure from hardline conservatives. What does his departure reveal about the denomination’s political realignment? And, this week’s guest is Brandon O’Brien, author of The Strategically Small Church. As American Christianity grapples with shrinking attendance and...

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680: Cancelling Colbert, Starving Gaza, & American Charisma with Molly Worthen show art 680: Cancelling Colbert, Starving Gaza, & American Charisma with Molly Worthen

The Holy Post

CBS has cancelled the top-rated late-night talk show. Was it really a financial decision, or was it done to get the Trump administration to approve a corporate merger? And will Stephen Colbert now come on the Holy Post? Horrific images of starvation are coming out of Gaza as pressure builds on the Israeli government to end the war, but when does pro-Palestinian activism cross the line into antisemitism? Historian Molly Worthen’s new book, “Spellbound,” explains how charismatic political and religious movements have shaped America, and why they depend more on a compelling story than a...

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679: Individualism, Transhumanism, & Learning from Abolitionists with Daniel Lee Hill show art 679: Individualism, Transhumanism, & Learning from Abolitionists with Daniel Lee Hill

The Holy Post

Why is our society so fractured and angry? David Brooks’ recent article draws from the work of moral philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre to explain how we got here, but what is the solution? With the growth of A.I., some Christians think technology may be how God redeems humanity and gives us eternal life. But is this still Christianity or a strange new Silicon Valley heresy? Kaitlyn talks to Daniel Lee Hill about his latest book, “Bearing Witness: What the Church Can Learn from Early Abolitionists.” Also this week—dolphins learn to puff the magic fish.   Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free...

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678: Is Gen Z Having a Religious Revival? with Ryan Burge show art 678: Is Gen Z Having a Religious Revival? with Ryan Burge

The Holy Post

The IRS has decided churches are no longer prohibited from endorsing political candidates. Is this a win for free speech or a reason for some churches to become even more partisan? The Department of Homeland Security has released a creepy new promotional video that uses the Bible to frame border security as a mission from God. The Christian who gave George W. Bush the idea of “compassionate conservatism” says the passing of the Big Beautiful Bill marks the end of an era for the GOP. Professor Ryan Burge is back with data about the religious outlook of Gen Z. Some see evidence of a revival,...

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677: Ending PEPFAR & Why the Self-Esteem Movement Failed with Sharon Hodde Miller show art 677: Ending PEPFAR & Why the Self-Esteem Movement Failed with Sharon Hodde Miller

The Holy Post

When George W. Bush created the PEPFAR program in 2003, it was celebrated by evangelical leaders and has saved more than 26 million lives in Africa from HIV/AIDS. So why weren’t evangelicals outraged when Donald Trump killed PEPFAR, which has already resulted in over 75,000 deaths since January? Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn unpack the arguments for and against PEPFAR, and how evangelical support for “small government” only applies to some programs. Then, Katilyn talks to Sharon Hodde Miller about what the self-esteem movement gets wrong about insecurity, and how we can recover the Christian...

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676: Classroom Culture Wars & the Spirituality of Secular America with Rachel Martin show art 676: Classroom Culture Wars & the Spirituality of Secular America with Rachel Martin

The Holy Post

With Phil on vacation, Kaitlyn and Esau join Skye to talk about the Supreme Court’s ruling that public schools must allow students to opt out of gender or sexuality content that may contradict the religious beliefs of their families. At the same time, more Americans say public schools should hire chaplains to offer spiritual guidance to students. With schools increasingly becoming the front line in the culture war, can public education survive? Then, Skye talks to Rachel Martin, the co-creator of NPR’s Wild Card podcast and former host of Morning Edition, about what she’s learned from...

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More Episodes

Pope Francis died on Monday. Will the Catholic Church continue to move in the direction of inclusion and reform, or will it elect a more traditional leader in reaction to the last papacy? Mike Cosper is back to talk about his new podcast from Christianity Today about the Satanic Panic, “Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.” In the 1980s and 90s, the FBI investigated 11,000 reports of satanic ritual abuse, but did not uncover a single credible story. So, why were parents throughout the country worried that heavy metal music, board games, and the Smurfs would lead their kids into devil-worshipping cults? Cosper explains how hucksters leveraged fears over cultural change to create mass hysteria, and why lessons from the Satanic Panic are still relevant today. Also this week, Medieval art reveals the sounds and smells of hell.

 

Holy Post Plus:

Bonus Interview with Mike Cosper:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/127227607/

 

Ad-Free Version of this Episode:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/127232165/



0:00 - Show Starts

 

3:50 - Theme Song

 

4:12 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware!

 

5:22 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST

 

12:12 - News of the Butt, Medieval Art Edition

 

18:46 - Bosch Painting Translated into Music

 

24:24 - The Legacy of the Pope

 

32:35 - America vs. The Pope

 

41:42 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month

 

42:50 - Sponsor - Policy Genius - Secure your family’s tomorrow so you have peace of mind today. Go to https://www.policygenius.com/HOLYPOST to find the right life insurance for you

 

42:00 - Interview

 

46:23 - Why’s the Satanic Panic Relevant?

 

53:00 - What is the Satanic Panic?

 

1:01:03 - Hucksters Behind It

 

1:11:09 - Did People Want it to Be True?

 

1:28:45 - End Credits

 

Links from News Segment:

Reddit Discusses Medieval Face-Butts:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Medievalart/comments/rly22w/can_someone_please_explain_why_medieval_artwork/

 

Bosch Painting Translated to Music

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/periods-genres/renaissance/hieronymus-bosch-painting-naked-bum-music/

 

Other Resources:

Devil and the Deep Blue Sea from Christianity Today:

https://pod.link/1778512810

 

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

 

Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus

 

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

 

Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop

 

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