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cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/26650519

The leader of a small group of self-described satanists and three other people were arrested Friday following a scuffle inside the Kansas Statehouse arising from an effort by the group’s leader to start a Black Mass in the rotunda.

About 30 members of the Kansas City-area Satanic Grotto, led by its president, Michael Stewart, rallied outside the Statehouse for the separation of church and state. The group also protested what members called the state’s favoritism toward Christians in allowing events inside. Gov. Laura Kelly temporarily banned protests inside, just for Friday, weeks after Stewart’s group scheduled its indoor ceremony.

The Satanic Grotto’s rally outside drew hundreds of Christian counterprotesters because of the Grotto’s satanic imagery, and its indoor ceremony included denouncing Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God. About 100 Christians stood against yellow police tape marking the Satanic Grotto’s area. The two groups yelled at each other while the Christians also sang and called on Grotto members to accept Jesus. Several hundred more Christians rallied on the other side of the Grotto’s area, but further away.

Kelly issued her order earlier this month after Roman Catholic groups pushed her to ban any Satanic Grotto event. The state’s Catholic Bishops called what the group planned “a despicable act of anti-Catholic bigotry” mocking the Catholic Mass. Both chambers of the Legislature also approved resolutions condemning it.

...

Satanic Grotto members, who number several dozen, said they hold a variety of beliefs. Some are atheists, some use the group to protest harm they suffered as church members, and others see Satan as a symbol of independence.

...

Video shot by KSNT-TV showed that when Stewart tried to conduct his group’s ceremony in the first-floor rotunda, a young man tried to snatch Stewart’s script from his hands, and Stewart punched him. Several Kansas Highway Patrol troopers wrestled Stewart to the ground and handcuffed him. They led him through hallways on the ground floor below and into a room as he yelled, “Hail, Satan!”

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[-] Nougat@fedia.io 120 points 3 days ago

The state’s Catholic Bishops called what the group planned “a despicable act of anti-Catholic bigotry” mocking the Catholic Mass.

I guess just "having a different religion" is now a "despicable act of anti-Catholic bigotry" now?

[-] orbituary@lemmy.dbzer0.com 36 points 3 days ago

Freedom to practice my religion.

[-] abbadon420@lemm.ee 29 points 3 days ago

No, not your religion, only my religion

[-] Zorsith 12 points 3 days ago

All are equal in the eyes of Sithrak the Blind Gibberer!

[-] leavemealone@sh.itjust.works 18 points 3 days ago

Real satanists would actually have the same religion, they would just support the so called enemy who gave us knowledge compared to the big dude who flooded the earth, supported slavery and other shenanigans because why not.

[-] synae@lemmy.sdf.org 18 points 3 days ago

Satanism and devil worship are not the same thing.

[-] redsand@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 3 days ago

This will be extra fun when the next pope tells all these Americans purgatory is extremely optimistic for worshipping false idols and the other laundry list of sins republicanism now requires.

Hail Satan!

No gods or kings

[-] abbadon420@lemm.ee 10 points 3 days ago
[-] pleasegoaway@lemm.ee 4 points 3 days ago

That would be a great name for the boat that I’ll never own. The Sail Hatan.

[-] TransplantedSconie@lemm.ee 55 points 3 days ago

Jesus Himslef would start throwin' hands if He saw how His flock became a bunch of fuck heads.

[-] ElcaineVolta@kbin.melroy.org 22 points 3 days ago

why doesn't he do anything, I wonder?

[-] IphtashuFitz@lemmy.world 12 points 3 days ago

So-called Christians: “His silence means he approves of what we are doing”.

[-] Gradually_Adjusting@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

All during worldwide floods, extinctions, fires, super intense storms, bugs running amok, droughts, plagues, famines, perpetual wars ... "God is super happy with us".

[-] ElcaineVolta@kbin.melroy.org 6 points 3 days ago

no need for the "so-called", that's what they are.

[-] riskable@programming.dev 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

What are you talking about? Jesus helps people cross the border all the time!

Him and his cousin, Jose.

[-] bitjunkie@lemmy.world 55 points 3 days ago

"free speech absolutists"

[-] ElcaineVolta@kbin.melroy.org 35 points 3 days ago

"NO! only our incantations are legitimate and real!"

[-] catloaf@lemm.ee 8 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

This guy seems like the douchey kind of Satanist. Especially since it sounds like they just showed up and started having a service. And then he threw the first punch when someone tried to grab his script.

The article doesn't say whether they're affiliated with the Satanic Church or The Satanic Temple, so I'm guessing neither.

[-] entwine413@lemm.ee 59 points 3 days ago

It seems you missed the part where this was scheduled well in advance.

[-] mosiacmango@lemm.ee 43 points 3 days ago

Also you don't get to physically assault people by grabbing at them them and not expecting a response.

The cops clearly wanted any excuse to arrest him. It sounds like hes got a fine lawsuit from several directions available.

[-] catloaf@lemm.ee 13 points 3 days ago
[-] pleasegoaway@lemm.ee 3 points 3 days ago

No. You didn’t.

Stop saying they just “showed up” when you also state that you are aware that this was booked weeks in advance.

[-] angrystego@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

They say they did miss it, admitting their mistake. Your response makes no sense to me.

[-] HubertManne@piefed.social 2 points 3 days ago

I think it would have funny if he cackled and yelled out. Yes. Yes. Give in to satan. Stealing is just the begining. feel how good it is to give in to satans influence and shame your lord in public. on camera. yes.

[-] ProIsh@lemmy.world 23 points 3 days ago

Why's the guy grabbing after his stuff? Some people do in fact need punched.

[-] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 14 points 3 days ago

Well it does say they reserved the space three weeks in advance.

[-] BuckWylde@lemmy.world 13 points 3 days ago

Just imagine what would happen if the tables were turned.

[-] AbsoluteChicagoDog@lemm.ee 6 points 3 days ago

If it was a different religion would you say the same thing?

[-] catloaf@lemm.ee 5 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Yes. If some douchey unaffiliated Christian evangelicals, Jedi, or Pastafarians showed up to be disruptive and get into fights, I'd say the same for them.

[-] AbsoluteChicagoDog@lemm.ee 7 points 3 days ago

That's a very specific list of relgions you dislike. What if they were Catholic or Muslim?

[-] Armok_the_bunny@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

That's really not a very specific list. Being comprehensive and listing all religions that exist would be unreasonably and unnecessarily verbose.

[-] AbsoluteChicagoDog@lemm.ee 4 points 3 days ago

Regardless, would you react the same if they were Catholic or Muslim?

[-] catloaf@lemm.ee 4 points 3 days ago

They don't tend to do stunts like this, but I thought "yes" was clear and direct enough of an answer.

[-] AbsoluteChicagoDog@lemm.ee 8 points 3 days ago

I have personally seen Catholics preaching in my state capital

[-] boreengreen@lemm.ee 3 points 3 days ago

Note for when i make a religion: install electrodes in script.

[-] Gates9@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 days ago
this post was submitted on 31 Mar 2025
219 points (100.0% liked)

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