Angry Christian groups are trying to shut down the “largest satanic gathering in history” after hundreds of members of The Satanic Temple descend on Boston.
On Friday, SatanCon kicked off in the Massachusetts city with a bizarre opening ceremony that saw speakers tear up the Bible and perform “un-baptism.”
The festival is in town to celebrate the organization’s 10th anniversary.
But the arrival of the devil worshipers on the East Coast has led to resistance from religious groups.
They claim they will respond to the hellish three-day event with “intense prayer” and are reportedly ready to “raid” the conference with counter-events.
SatanCon program director Chalice Blythe imagined tearing up a bible during the opening ceremony of the event
Members of The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property protested outside the first day of the event
Unlike similar groups, The Satanic Temple doesn’t necessarily worship the devil, instead viewing the character as a symbol to “reject tyrannical authority,” according to its website.
But her activism, which also revolves around the separation of church and state, has drawn the ire of several religious groups.
“Although they think they want to ambush Boston, they don’t know that God intends to ambush them,” said Dr. Jaymz Sideras, the leader of the Revive Boston religious group.
His organization is hosting a counter event at the Revere Hotel Boston Common, less than a mile from the Satanist convention at the Boston Marriott Copley Place.
According to the website, the weekend of “revival” will include prayer lessons before groups are sent to “key locations” in Boston to “flood the streets with worship and God’s word.”
Another group opposed to SatanCon is the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston Catholic Press Agency they plan to use “intense prayer” to fight the event.
‘At the cardinal’s direction [Sean O’Malley]”We are approaching it with a balanced response and focused on prayer,” a spokesman added.
SatanCon attendees flash the Devil’s Horn hand symbol as they shout “Heil Satan” during the opening ceremony
Several religious groups have protested the event. Pictured: A member of The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property outside of Friday’s conference
Protesters have introduced several counter events to show their opposition to the conference
A protester holds a sign reading “Get Out of Satan!” on the streets of Boston as the event kicked off
Furious religious protesters gathered outside the Marriott Copley Place to oppose the event
A large police force has been stationed nearby in anticipation of protests
As the event kicked off on Friday, numerous protesters gathered outside, including members of The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property, holding signs reading “Satan Has No Rights.”
A disturbing appearance from the white nationalist group The Patriot Front also joined the protesters outside the conference, according to the Boston herald.
“We’ve had threats,” a satanist participant told Freedom News. “There are protesters, quite a few are outside. We have no problem with them protesting, that is their right.’
The conference kicked off with a bizarre opening ceremony that saw speakers tear apart Bibles and perform “non-baptisms.”
And after Boston Mayor Michelle Wu refused to allow the organization to deliver a satanic incantation at Boston City Hall, the group decided to dedicate the conference in her honor.
To mark the 10th anniversary at Boston’s Marriott Copley Place, more than 800 masked attendees enjoyed tales of the fiery depths while enjoying sermons from speakers.
‘Hail Satan!’ shouted one of the speakers, Chalice Blythe, repeating the chant as she tore up a bible and a “thin blue line” police flag during the opening ceremony.
In one of the more bizarre moments, another speaker dressed in a big red smock smashed a computer keyboard while declaring, ‘For those of us who can, we must stand up for those who can’t’.
The event also featured a satanic market, where people could buy all kinds of Lucifer-inspired souvenirs.
Satirical ‘Live Laugh Love’ pillows and dolls with demonic goat heads were on display in the market, alongside t-shirts, candles, jewelery and satanic literature.
During the opening ceremony, a speaker smashed a keyboard
All kinds of Lucifer-inspired souvenirs were sold at a ‘Satanic Market’
A satirical ‘Live Laugh Love’ pillow was sold at the event dubbed the biggest ‘Satancon’
Dolls with demonic goat heads were also on display at the Boston gathering
The group has made headlines in recent years after campaigning to have their one-ton goat head statue placed next to every monument commemorating the 10 Commandments on public lands.
The members claim not to see Satan as evil, but rather see the character as a symbol for questioning authority.
After opening the first official headquarters in Salem, Oregon, in 2016, the activists have sought to take the lead in advocating for a separation of church and state.
While Mayor Wu was the subject of this year’s conference, The Satanic Temple has previously dedicated other events to public figures who oppose it.
Prior to an event in Scottsdale, Arizona, former Republican mayor Jim Lane and former Republican councilwoman Suzanne Klapp also had the meeting dedicated to them after also declining a request for a satanic invocation at a city council meeting.
The group’s advocacy of Satanism sparked outrage last month after a California elementary school began hosting an “After School Satan Club.”
One parent called the decision to allow the club “disgusting,” while another said it was “a mistake.”
However, SatanCon didn’t shy away from controversy with a placard displayed on an “Education with Satan” booth at the conference, comparing it to the “Good News Club,” a religious group allowed in schools.
An ‘Education with Satan’ booth was installed at the conference
There was a sign on the booth comparing the satanic after-school club to the religious Good News Club
A torn bible, torn Blue Lives Matter flag and counterfeit US money lie on the floor during the opening ceremony
The group claims that unlike the Good News Club, its after-school class “promotes a rational, science-based, non-superstitious worldview.”
The group tried to distance itself from other satanic groups, insisting that its main goal was separation of church and state and teaching empathy.
“It’s about supporting human rights. It is about supporting the physical autonomy of women. It’s about freedom of religion, freedom of religion, SatanCon participant Richard-Lael Lillard told me WBZ TV.
“Most don’t believe in Satan, not a literal Satan. It’s not an ’80s horror movie.’
Another participant, Suzanna Plum, added: ‘I understand the confusion, the fear. Really, but at the same time we are a very misunderstood group.’
“We’re just like everyone else. We pay our taxes, we want our communities to improve and do better. We love our children just like everyone else. We’re just normal people, we just believe a little differently.’