The Satanic Temple (TST) has had a successful year, scoring legal victories in the field of public education. Meanwhile, a Christian veteran made headlines after severing the head of a Baphomet statue inside the Iowa State Capitol. The Satanic Temple, which claims not to believe in the existence of Satan or the supernatural, celebrated its growing membership of over 700,000 constituents across 56 chapters worldwide.
A spokesperson for the organization stated that as awareness of the Satanic Temple grows, many individuals find that their religious beliefs align with its principles. The organization has gained recognition for defending its members’ civil rights and standing against threats to its religious practices.
Over the past year, the Satanic Temple has been involved in various community-based initiatives. Notably, it established a New Mexico “telehealth” chemical abortion facility named “Samuel Alito’s Mom’s Satanic Abortion Clinic” as a response to the Supreme Court justice’s opinion on Roe v. Wade.
The organization faced controversy when it launched After School Satan Clubs in Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. These clubs aimed to provide an alternative to proselytizing religious clubs in public schools. However, concerned parents in Pennsylvania’s Saucon Valley School District criticized the presence of the Satanic Temple around children, leading to the district rescinding its approval. Nevertheless, the Satanic Temple filed a civil rights lawsuit that eventually resulted in a preliminary injunction allowing the clubs to continue using district facilities.
The Satanic Temple also made headlines by setting up statues of Baphomet, a goat-headed figure worshipped by Gnostic templegoers, in state Capitols and other public spaces during the holiday season. In response, Navy reserve pilot instructor veteran Michael Cassidy took matters into his own hands and severed the head of the controversial Satanic statue in the Iowa State Capitol. Cassidy faced legal charges, but his actions garnered support from conservative pundits and lawmakers, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The Satanic Temple has faced ongoing challenges from government officials who question its status as a religious organization. The organization plans to continue educating officials on constitutional law and expand its community-based efforts in the coming years. Critics argue that the Satanic Temple’s actions undermine religious freedom and free speech, while the organization believes it is protecting its members’ rights.
Despite the controversy, the Satanic Temple plans to expand its efforts in 2024 by opening more Satanic abortion clinics and engaging with government programs that provide support and funding to religious groups.
