Emerging Satanic Movement Potentially Influencing Political Shifts?
In April 2016, Robert Eggers' film "The Witch" played on 666 screens across the country, earning an additional USD$465,000 in its first weekend. The film's success was not just a cinematic achievement, but also a catalyst for a unique collaboration between the film and a controversial group – The Satanic Temple (TST).
TST endorsed "The Witch" and collaborated with A24 studios on a four-city tour called The Sabbat Cycle. This event, held in Austin, Texas at The Sidewinder, included screenings of the film followed by politically driven satanic rituals. The Sabbat Cycle served as a testament to TST's mission to promote secularism, individual sovereignty, bodily autonomy, and social justice.
The religious significance of The Sabbat Cycle lies in its role as a ritual framework for TST members. These gatherings provide an opportunity for the community to celebrate, reflect, and embody the Temple’s non-theistic Satanism, which views Satan as a symbol of resistance to arbitrary authority rather than literal devil worship. The events also serve as a platform for members to share personal experiences of persecution for their religious beliefs.
On a political front, The Sabbat Cycle functions as a form of activism and public demonstration of religious freedom. By holding these rituals publicly, TST asserts that secular and pluralistic values deserve equal protection. The group's political revolution may face counterrevolution from conservative forces, as seen in the New Christian Right's formation in the 1970s.
TST believes that the separation of church and state is under attack by radical religious conservatives and that there is a silent majority that opposes this agenda but remains too apathetic to do anything about it. The group, led by spokeswoman Jex Blackmore, aims to forge a coalition through events like the Sabbat Cycle.
TST has launched several campaigns demanding the same religious rights and privileges afforded to Christianity. These include the creation of satanic coloring books for distribution in schools, bids to erect satanic "nativity scenes" on government property, offering prayers to Satan at a high school football game, and demanding that a monument to the Ten Commandments be accompanied by a monument to Baphomet.
Blackmore compared "The Witch" to a microcosm of a patriarchal theocratic society leading to a satanic revolution. The Sabbat Cycle was an attempt to raise political awareness by piggybacking on "The Witch"'s appeal as part of a larger PR model the group has used since its inception.
TST has 17 chapters in the United States and Europe and claims an estimated 100,000 members. The group's activities, such as The Sabbat Cycle, continue to challenge dominant religious norms and advocate for secularism, social justice, and the right to dissent from mainstream religious traditions.
- Education and self-development play a crucial role in understanding the ideologies of The Satanic Temple (TST), as their mission includes promoting secularism, individual sovereignty, and social justice.
- The group's use of popular culture, such as the film "The Witch" and events like The Sabbat Cycle, serves as a tool for personal growth and social media engagement, enabling them to raise political awareness and galvanize support.
- With their campaigns demanding equal religious rights and privileges, TST engages in policy and legislation discussions, challenging the dominance of Christianity and advocating for diversified entertainment options, including sci-fi and fantasy, movies and TV, and general news.
- Internet discourse surrounding TST's activities offers a platform for discussing contemporary issues, including pop-culture debates, politics, and the ongoing struggle for religious freedom and separation of church and state.
- In their lessons on politics, individual rights, and non-theistic Satanism, The Satanic Temple provides valuable learning opportunities that encourage critical thinking and embrace diversity in perspectives.
