building walls between us doesn't fix a thing

John Horvat strikes again. I always think I really should unsubscribe from this rather shrill, outraged-to-be-outraged mailing list, but...then he sends me something like this. Under the heading of "No more Satanic items on Amazon", it reads:

Dear [Emilly],

Our petition drive against the Satanic items on Amazon has been rapidly growing, but the Internet giant won't yet let go of its demonic products. Among the items still available are Satanic pendants, statuettes of the demon Baphomet, the Satanic Bible by notorious Satanist, Antonin LeVey, and even children's products with the devil on them.

It's "Anton", Mr. Horvat, but that made me curious. So let's see what he means.

Under a general search under all products for "Satanic" came this statuette of Baphomet, followed by The Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey (name's printed right on the cover, Horvat), and a black tapestry with white printing featuring Baphomet's head in front of a reverse pentagram. Below that is a DVD of a not spectacular movie called "Satanic", a Luciferian seal pendant, and, amusingly, a three-piece duvet cover set with pillowcases featuring the same artwork as on the tapestry.

There's also a brass incense burner that features a ram's head that makes my brain giggle for some reason, a cameo pendant featuring Baphomet on a reverse pentacle, a winged Baphomet Satanic blessing goblet in brass, the book The Satanic Narratives: A Modern Satanic Bible by Damien Ba'al, and a PopSocket stand for smartphones featuring Baphomet's head in black and red. And that's only on the first page.

But... why is this an issue? These are using symbols of a faith that isn't yours, Mr. Horvat. Are you going to get hysterical over seeing Muslim prayer rugs or prayer beads? What about this Messianic Jewish tallit set? Or this 'Tree of Life'-styled Mezzuzah? Or this blue and gold enamel menorah?

Or maybe you're only concerned with the "evil" faiths. Do you paint pagans and heathens with that brush? Yeah, you probably do.

If you have already signed the petition, consider passing on the word to your family and friends. Our previous petition against Walmart has gotten some Satanic products removed from its site, and Amazon has previously removed anti-Catholic products when customers raised their voices. If Amazon sees more names, they will be more likely to reconsider selling these offensive, Satanic products.

I could care less about what Walmart does, I don't shop there, but I do shop at Amazon, and I value their ability to have a diversity of products to peruse. I won't lie, usually I'm looking at clothing, foods I can't get in my area, electronics or hair care and teeth cleaning products I can buy cheaper there, but...I've had this Vegvisir pendant on my buy list for a bit, and you'd probably hate that too, wouldn't you, Horvat?

There's no accounting for taste. Or intelligence. Not everything has to be a crisis or a holy war, after all. Remember, what we fear we draw to us, and if you don't like Satanism, Mr. Horvat, stop obsessing over it, and fearing it to the point you see it everywhere. Just let it go.

As long as we're edging into political waters, in a sense, let me toss this link out to the world. Considering what's been happening in Ohio, Alabama and Georgia, those two charities may well save some lives. Pass it on.