The Satanic Temple has been in the news quite often lately, but what exactly is it? Does the organization truly see itself as a religion in the same vein as Christianity, Judaism, or Islam? Do they offer sacrifices to Satan and commune with demons? Do they wear dark robes and chant in other languages?

While The Satanic Temple (TST) is not quite what people expect when they hear the name, it is most certainly a dangerous force of evil in America.

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TST was founded in 2013 by Lucien Greaves and Malcolm Jarry, although Greaves seems to get most of the credit. Greaves was a neuroscience student at Harvard and a sharp-minded activist, eventually channeling his beliefs into the core values of TST.

On TST’s website, they state that their mission is to “encourage benevolence and empathy, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense, oppose injustice, and undertake noble pursuits.” To accomplish this mission, they follow seven fundamental tenets: act with compassion and empathy, fight for justice, respect bodily autonomy, respect others’ freedoms, conform to modern science, rectify personal mistakes, and place compassion and wisdom over the written or spoken word. This mission and these tenets are extensions of Greaves’ own beliefs, as he states that “the broader goal of the Satanic Temple in general is to advocate for all those who are unjustly maligned, demonized, or marginalized—victimized by conspiracy theorists and dogmatic supernaturalists.”

But what about Satan? Greaves insists that TST does not recognize or believe in Satan or the supernatural. Rather they follow Satan as he was portrayed in classic literature—as an agent of chaos and rebellion. But this does not mean TST is not religious. They advocate for purely “religious” rights in key areas of concern for intercessors—education, religious freedom, and abortion.

Greaves himself has referred to his organization as “a ‘poison pill’ in the Church/State debate.” He further states, “Satanists, asserting their rights and privileges upon public affairs, could serve as a poignant reminder that such privileges are for everybody, and can be used to serve an agenda beyond the current narrow understanding of what ‘the’ religious agenda is.” In other words, TST presses for religious rights in order to achieve separation of church and state and rights for no religions.

In practice, however, TST is anti-Christian. As IFA has covered previously, TST sponsors After-School Satan Clubs in schools across the country. The words of June Everett, Campaign Manager for the After-School Satan Club, are telling. She explains that the sole purpose of every After-School Satan Club is to be an alternative to Christian programs like the Good News Club. Everett only seeks to install these clubs in schools with religious clubs.

In other words, the sole goal of the After-School Satan Club is to combat Christianity. It is not about teaching children corrupted morals, it is about teaching them corrupted morals instead of Christian morals, seemingly with an end of removing religion from the public square.

TST sued the Boston City Council in Massachusetts for the right to “pray” at city council meetings. The council denied their request to pray, so they sued, arguing this denial is unconstitutional. Their legal tactics exemplify their mission to cause chaos and rebellion. In fact, the judge rebuked them for bad faith in purposely seeking depositions when witnesses are not available.

TST Idaho will be holding a National Day of Prayer event on May 5, 2022, in the Rotunda of the Idaho State Capitol building: “Join Us for Satanic Prayer, Unbaptisms, and Special Guest Speakers; May 5th 2022 10 am – 2 pm​ on the Second Floor Rotunda of the Idaho State Capital Building.”

TST is also actively pro-abortion. One of TST’s core tenets is bodily autonomy – they fight for abortion as a religious right. TST sued Texas, arguing the heartbeat law violates their “right to a religious accommodation of its members to engage in the abortion ritual under the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act.” A spokesperson said, “The Temple will work tirelessly to do our best to protect the religious rights of members who want to engage in TST’s abortion ritual.”

TST is deceived and unknowingly misguided and are led to take stands against the ways of God. They  aggressively push for visibility and “rights” in civic life. Intercessors need to pray about these legal efforts to disrupt and destroy what religious freedom means in America.

Prayer Points:

Pray that the National Day of Prayer event in Idaho will come to nothing. Pray that Idaho intercessors will pray over the Rotunda in advance of the proposed event. Pray that no one would attend and no harm would be allowed by God through their activity.

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (1 Jn 3:8)

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mk 11:24)

Pray in the opposite spirit of their goal of chaos. Pray that godly, biblical, constitutional order would result from their actions, whether in education, abortion, or prayer at civic meetings.

Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease. (Prv 22:10)

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (Jas 3:16-18)

Pray in the opposite spirit of their goal of rebellion. Pray for school officials, city council members, judges, among others, to understand their authority and exercise it in the public good. Pray that the TST would be thwarted in their disruptive, evil efforts.

An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him. (Prv 17:11)

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. (Rom 13:1-2)

TST targets schools, prayer at civic meetings, pro-life laws, and the National Day of Prayer. Intercessors, we can battle them effectively.  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (1 Cor 10:4-5). Please pray for the real National Day of Prayer–pray for all the events across the country and the U.S. Territories. Tune in to the national event. For more information, visit the National Day of Prayer website. Pray into their theme, “Exalt the Lord who has established us” (Colossians 2:6-7).

Please share your prayers and insight in the comments.

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