Satanic Temple Stages A Counter-Protest, Trolling The Anti-Abortion Protesters


Was it a street fight between angels and demons? No, it was just a quirky protest being trolled by counter-protesters.

The Satanic Temple members and a group of religious anti-abortion protesters met head-on in the streets of Detroit. As a form of counter-protest, the Satanists dressed up in BDSM costumes with baby masks and acted out in the streets as they criticized the conservatives for promoting fetal idolatry.

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Image via YouTube

According to Jex Blackmore, the Temple’s chapter leader in Detroit, the anti-abortion movement is mischaracterizing the fetus, thereby obscuring the medical reality and the constitutional guarantee of women’s right to choose.

Blackmore wrote:

“The strategy of elevating tiny human embryos and fetuses to a reverence creates a fantasy in which the maternal body is both erased and criminalized. The Satanic organization believes that all people are entitled to make informed decisions about their health, family and future without coercion.”

Most of the so-called pro-life advocates are calling for the abolition of Planned Parenthood, which is an organization that provides reproductive healthcare assistance to poor women. Some of the pro-life advocates are spreading the false rumor that the organization is involved in selling baby parts to earn profits.

What could be the best way to counter fanaticism and ridiculous lies? Well, satirical mockery in the form of performance art could be the answer as what the Temple members have done.

The Satanic Temple members are far from being religious or devil worshippers. The members are self-identified as atheists and secular humanists. They are political activists who utilize a character from the religious myths as symbol of their advocacy.

Socio-political activism is central in the mission and objectives of The Satanic Temple. The organization is particularly against the encroachment of religious conservatism in public policies and laws.

The recent incidence in Detroit is just among the much publicized activities of the group. It has gained media publicity because of its controversial and oftentimes absurdly humorous take on conservative public policies such as allowing prayers in public schools and erecting religious symbols in government properties.

One strategy of the group in challenging religiously biased public policies is to demand that Satanic rituals and symbols be also allowed such as the organization’s campaign to erect a satanic monument depicting Baphomet with two children in the Oklahoma state capitol.

Conservative right-wing nutjobs should be careful what they wish for. They might just get it and regret it.

See video of the protest and counter-protest below:

 

Featured image screengrab via YouTube

Homar has been a writer and editor for both print and online publications for more than fifteen years. He also worked for a scientific research institution and for a book publishing house. He currently works as a home-based freelance online writer and copy editor. He is active in various local civic organizations and regularly contributes as a columnist in regional newspapers in the Bicol Region, Philippines.