This archive report was first published on 17 October 2019.
On October 16, 2019, The Satanic Temple, a recognised church in the United States, was given permission to gather at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, with certain conditions.
According to Commander Alana Garas, a spokeswoman for the academy, the Temple's members can assemble to discuss their beliefs, but they cannot hold 'satanic services'.
Garas clarified that the Temple is a 'non-theistic religious and politically active movement' recognised by the Internal Revenue Service as a church.
She added that Midshipmen have the right to assemble to discuss their beliefs as they choose, but must adhere to Department of Defence policy, which prohibits military members from engaging in partisan political activities.
The Satanic Temple, however, insists that it wants to hold 'Satanic services' at the Naval Academy, citing equal treatment for religious denominations.
Lucien Greaves, spokesperson for The Satanic Temple, warned that if the Naval Academy discriminates against the Temple, it will be obligated to deny services to other religious groups, including Catholics and Mormons, for their political lobbying and activism.
