An October 2017 story at Vox portrayed the Satanic Temple as "equal parts performance art group, leftist activist organization, and anti-religion religious movement." It claimed that though it began as "internet trolling going mainstream," the organization is becoming "more serious" and "more complicated" to outline. It said chapter leadership members debate which historic works about Satan to recommend and whether it should host more ritual.
Lorence contended that despite adopting the name of The Satanic Temple and using satanic imagery, the group is just "anti-supernatural and rationalistic" rather than satanic like the Church of Satan.
Previously, the group tried to push an "After School Satan" program in 2016, which Lorence saw as an effort to undermine Christian after-school programs at public schools. The group's strategy, which cited religious freedom laws to demand a space at public schools alongside other religious after-school programs, aimed to use fear of the promotion of satanism as a means to shut down all religious after-school programs.
"The Satanic Temple does not worship Satan," Lorence said. "They use this 'Satanic Temple' label to confuse people."
And the group could be trying to adopt a similar strategy at the Naval Academy, Lorence said. As a public institution, the academy "is by law open to groups that are student-oriented and student-led."
According to the academy, a group of Midshipmen whose "beliefs aligned with those practiced by The Satanic Temple" did make a request for a space at the academy, but they asked for a "study space" and not a space to hold "satanic services," Commander Garas said.
The academy's official statement on Wednesday said that the Command Religious Program "provides for the exercise of diverse beliefs."
Furthermore, "[a]rrangements were being made to provide the Midshipmen with a designated place to assemble as chaplains facilitate for the beliefs of all service members," per the Navy instructions, Garas said. However, the group would not be able to "engage in partisan political activities."
Matt Hadro was the political editor at Catholic News Agency through October 2021. He previously worked as CNA senior D.C. correspondent and as a press secretary for U.S. Congressman Chris Smith.