About this episode
This episode explores the historical and cultural impact of satanic beliefs in America and Europe, tracing their influence from ancient times to the colonial era.
Support us on Patreon --- Since the first European settlers took unsteady steps on its alien shores, America has been haunted by the Devil. Fears of Satan and his human confederates have long since lurked in our psyche, and played an overlooked role in the cultural and political development of the United States. In this week's episode of Gladio Free Europe, Liam and Russian Sam descend into the blackest reaches of American and European folklore to see how our forbearers understood the unspeakable. This episode explores the development of satanic conceptions and imagery in American life, beginning with the emergence of the demonic beings in ancient Jewish cosmology through the spread of Christianity and the settlement of the New World. Medieval and Early Modern Europeans saw Satan everywhere, guiding the hands of sinners and unbelievers to tempt mankind and doom souls to Hell. The devil was understood to be the real ruler of this sinful earth, as proven by the encirclement of Christendom by kingdoms of heretics and heathens. European explorers in America, Africa, and Asia believed the religions they encountered were expressions of Satanism, and used…
People in this episode
Host: Liam
Guest: Russian Sam
Topics covered
- satanic conceptions
- American folklore
- colonialism
- witchcraft
- cultural development
- European beliefs
Keywords
- satan
- witches
- colonialism
- folklore
- Christianity
- New England
- devil
- cultural history
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: The Devil in America
Places: America, New England, Europe, New World, Africa, Asia
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