Faith, Violence, and the Shadow of Ancient Gods: Exploring "Tezcatlipoca"

In this episode, we dive into Kiwamu Sato's award-winning novel "Tezcatlipoca," a gripping narrative that interweaves modern organ trafficking with ancient Aztec sacrificial rituals. Beyond its crime thriller veneer lies a profound exploration of how belief systems can drive and justify violence throughout human history.

We examine how the novel's portrayal of the Aztec war god Tezcatlipoca—"Lord of the Smoking Mirror"—creates disturbing parallels between ancient religious practices and contemporary brutality. What does it reveal about humanity when cartel violence mirrors sacred rituals, and how do modern societies continue the tradition of sacrifice, albeit in different forms?

Join us as we unpack the three-stage pattern of organized violence—the sanctification of purpose, the exceptionalization of acts, and the solidification of community—that connects religious fervor to modern ideologies. This episode challenges us to reflect on our own beliefs and the fine line between devotion and destruction in a world where new gods—nation, economy, ideology—demand their own sacrifices.