Welcome to Within Reason. My name is Alex O'Connor. Drew McCoy is the founder and host of the YouTube channel

Genetically modified Skeptic, an atheist YouTube channel dedicated to discussing and criticizing topics such as religion and alternative medicine.

Earlier this year Drew attended SatanCon in Boston, Massachusetts, which was the largest gathering

of self-described Satanists anywhere in the world.

He joins me today to discuss what the modern Satanism movement is and perhaps more importantly

what it isn't, as well as some of his experiences when attending this convention.

With that said I hope you enjoy the following conversation with Drew McCoy or genetically

modified skeptic.

Drew McCoy, thanks for being here. Hey, thanks for having me.

I really appreciate it.

Thanks for coming back, I should say.

I think this is your second time on the podcast. I wanted to ask actually if you've ever considered starting a podcast. I know recently you've done at least one interview with a Satanism expert, which is an interesting choice but I wonder if it's something that you've ever explored a more sort of

committed long-form time type of content

Yeah, I've definitely looked at it, I've considered it.

I think it's something that I could enjoy, but I realize that takes quite a bit of editing, which is not something that I really enjoy doing all that much.

Besides, I watch video essays like the kind that I tend to make the most.

And for me, you know, doing YouTube has always been like primarily this passion project

and so I want to continue doing things that I just I would like to watch myself.

Maybe that will mean in the future I'll do podcasts, but it's to be determined right now.

What was it that inspired you to have a Satanist on the channel?

The militant Christian nationalism that's infected the US government.

I think that Satanism in the US is really a reaction to

...