Chaz Stevens, a Satanist in Florida has written a letter requesting the Deerfield Beach council meet to open with a satanic prayer. Stevens’ request follows a recent ruling by the Supreme Court that said conducting sectarian prayer before a government meeting does not necessarily violate the Establishment Clause in the Constitution. According to the ruling, the content of the prayers are not significant as long as they do not belittle non-Christians or try to win converts.
“With the recent US Supreme Court ruling allowing 'prayer before Commission meetings' and seeking the rights granted to others, I hereby am requesting I be allowed to open a Commission meeting praying for my God, my divine spirit, my Dude in Charge. Be advised, I am a Satanist. Let me know when this is good for you,” wrote Stevens.
Stevens converted to Satanism because he thinks Satan is a cool dude and he claims that this is the first time he has committed to any god. He created quite a stir during 2013 Christmas after being granted permission to erect a Festivus pole, from empty beer cans, in the rotunda of the Florida state Capitol, to protest against the traditional nativity scene.
According to Stevens, the recent ruling by the Supreme Court has blurred the line between the church and the state. While speaking to the media, he said that even some of his family members do not understand what he is trying to do with his request.
“It's a comic gag, a satirical gag, an extreme gag that draws attention at the graying of the separation of church and state,” he said.
Satanism is the admiration and veneration of Satan. Satan, also referred to as the fallen angel, first appeared in the Hebrew Bible where he challenged the role of God in heaven. Because of his insolence and ensuing rebellion, God expelled Satan from heaven. Modern satanic groups that emerged after the 1960s have been very diverse with some identifying as theists and others atheists. While the former revere Satan as a supernatural god, the latter consider Satan as a symbolic representation of the inherent nature of man.
