Torrington Flag Fight: Satanology Challenges Christian Display

Torrington, Connecticut, is facing a First Amendment challenge after flying a Christian flag at City Hall. Activist Chaz Stevens, founder of the Church of Satanology and Perpetual Soirée, has requested that his organization’s flag also be flown. Citing the 2022 Supreme Court case Shurtleff v. Boston, Stevens argues that once a city permits one religious flag, it cannot deny others without violating the Constitution. Wikipedia+2CT Insider+2The Register Citizen+2CT Insider+4CT Insider+4The Register Citizen+4

In response, Torrington officials are considering revising city ordinances to limit flag displays to only federal and state-recognized flags, potentially excluding both the Christian and Satanology flags. City Council member Stephan Ivain noted that the current ordinances do not adequately address such requests and that changes are necessary to maintain the separation of church and state. The Register Citizen

Stevens has also sent similar flag requests to Hartford, New Britain, Waterbury, and Bridgeport, all of which have recently flown Christian flags. He threatens legal action if his requests are denied, emphasizing that his efforts aim to uphold constitutional principles rather than promote any religious belief. CT Insider+8CT Insider+8The Register Citizen+8

Mayor Elinor Carbone maintains that the City Hall flagpole is not a public forum and that the Christian flag was flown to honor the city’s historical founding by the First Congregational Church. However, without updated ordinances, the city may be vulnerable to legal challenges regarding religious expression on public property. CT Insider+2The Register Citizen+2The Register Citizen+2

This situation underscores the complexities municipalities face in balancing historical acknowledgments with constitutional mandates for religious neutrality in public spaces.

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