The web page lists lots of interesting and worthwhile stuff. However, it leaves out what I consider to be an important bit of history: The various famous writers, in the 1800's, who spoke favorably of "Satan" or "the Devil." These included:
- William Blake - wrote "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell."
- Mark Twain - wrote Letters from the Earth and A Pen Warmed in Hell
- Giosue Carducci (who is considered to have been one of Italy's greatest poets) - wrote a "Hymn to Satan"
- Charles Baudelaire - wrote "The Litanies of Satan"
- Matilda Gage (leading 19th century feminist) - referred to Satan as the "God of Freedom" in her book Woman, Church, and State, echoing the French historian Jules Michelet's favorable portrayal of a hypothetical Satanic ceremony by medieval peasants.
- George Bernard Shaw - wrote The Devil's Disciple and Man and Superman
These days, ever-growing numbers of "conspiracy theorists" are working hard to revive the panic. So, it's good to see college students being taught about the historical reality. Thank you, Dr. Porter, for including it in your course.