Activist invents ‘Satanology’ religion in attempt to stop cities from flying Christian flag

Chaz Stevens, a Florida-based activist known for his provocative challenges to religious displays in public spaces, has initiated a campaign in Connecticut advocating for the display of a flag representing his satirical “Church of Satanology and Perpetual Soirée.” This move comes in response to several Connecticut cities—including Hartford, New Britain, Waterbury, Torrington, and Bridgeport—approving the flying of the Christian flag during religious observances.​

Stevens argues that if municipalities permit one religious symbol, they must allow others to avoid violating the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause. He references the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Shurtleff v. Boston, which held that once a city allows one religious flag, it cannot discriminate against others. In his communications with the cities, Stevens threatened legal action if his request to fly the “Satanology” flag is denied, emphasizing that his efforts aim to uphold constitutional principles rather than promote a particular belief system.​

While some city officials have not publicly responded, others have cited policies that may preclude Stevens’ request. For instance, New Britain’s policy requires flag requests to come from local residents, and Stevens resides in Florida. Hartford officials noted that their flag-raising decisions are made internally and are not open to public solicitation.​

Stevens’ actions are part of a broader pattern of using satire and legal challenges to question the presence of religious symbols in public spaces. His approach aligns with tactics employed by organizations like The Satanic Temple, which uses similar methods to advocate for the separation of church and state.​

This incident underscores ongoing debates about religious expression in public spaces and the extent to which government entities must accommodate diverse religious viewpoints to maintain constitutional neutrality.

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