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Joseph P. Laycock

Joseph P. Laycock is an assistant professor of religious studies at Texas State University. He teaches courses on world religions, religion in America, new religious movements, and the intersection of religion and popular culture.

All Work

Religion Dispatches Religious Liberty

Satanic Temple Considers Legal Action Against School Censorship

Oct 7, 2:20pm Joseph P. Laycock

The task of determining which web content students can access is outsourced to an Austin, Texas-based company called Lightspeed Systems, which had manually tagged The Satanic Temple’s website as “mature.”

Religion Dispatches Politics/Law

Satanic Temple’s IRS Recognition Rekindles Fierce Debate Over What Is ‘Really Real’ Church

May 3, 1:18pm Joseph P. Laycock

While TST is not the first Satanic organization to obtain this status, it is the first group that clearly intends to deploy this status in legal challenges. TST’s demands for equal treatment under the law are going to be much harder to dismiss from here on out.

Religion Dispatches Religious Liberty

What the Hail: Satanists Got Busy in 2018

Dec 21, 10:51am Joseph P. Laycock

From defending reproductive rights to run-ins with several TV shows, the Satanist community had a busy 2018. The only question going forward: Will internal tension sink the movement?

Religion Dispatches Politics/Law

Will Infamous ‘Candy Cane Memo’ Resurrect Flailing ‘War on Christmas’?

Dec 19, 1:26pm Joseph P. Laycock

A principal recently made headlines by banning candy canes. At a time when separation of church and state is facing so many legal challenges, it's absolutely critical to understand the establishment clause.

Religion Dispatches OMFG

Should Satanic Temple Have Threatened Netflix Over Baphomet Statue in ‘Sabrina’ Series?

Nov 5, 4:08pm Joseph P. Laycock

"Would they be as understanding of a fictional show that used a real mosque as the HQ of a terrorist cell? A fictional Blood Libel tale implicating real world Jews?"

Religion Dispatches Religious Liberty

Satanist Religious Freedom Rally Successful Despite Neo-Nazis and Christian Heckler

Aug 20, 1:25pm Joseph P. Laycock

When the police chief asked whether a requested garbage can would be used for blood, he was informed that it was for Satanists to pick up any litter after the rally.

Religion Dispatches OMFG

Neo-Nazis Call on ‘White Christians’ to Oppose Satanic Temple Rally

Aug 14, 4:30pm Joseph P. Laycock

The convergence of conservative Christian and White Supremacist groups suggests this is really a struggle over who is a “real” American and who is not.