Lake Worth Permits Atheist to Lead Satanic Invocation Before Commission Meeting

[rug]

By Chris Joseph Fri., Dec. 12 2014 at 11:27 AM

The City of Lake Worth has accepted the request of an atheist to give a "Satanic" invocation before an upcoming commission meeting.

Atheist and blogger Chaz Stevens sent his request to the city last week, after news broke that Lake Worth's mayor and a few commissioners had walked out during a fellow atheist's invocation December 2.

- snip -

On Thursday, Stevens received a reply from the city that his request had been accepted, with the schedule to be determined later. The only guideline the email asked for was for Stevens to keep the invocation brief, which is standard.

Stevens has yet to write up the invocation but shared the opening statement with New Times:

Ladies and gentleman, please bow your heads in respect to all of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the War on Christmas.

I'm also trying to work this in ... "Satan and I don't believe in keeping Christ in Christmas, nor do we, like certain Catholic priests, believe in keeping the rape in rapists."

Hail Satan.

http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2014/12/lake_worth_accepts_atheists_request_to_give_invocation_before_commissioners.php

[Goblinmonger]

1. Would make more sense if he tried to do a secular invocation.

Probably make the same point, be a little less dickish, and not use Satanists as a toss off.

[cbayer]

2. Is he an atheist or a satanist? If he is an atheist, he isn't doing fellow atheists any favors here

[TM99]

5. He might be a member of the Church of Satan (CoS).

They claim to be the only 'true' Satanic religion in the world. Mix some 1960's and 1970's psychedelic group psychodrama, Crowley inspired Golden Dawn occultism, Ayn Randian libertarianism, and atheism, and that's pretty much the philosophy and dogma of the CoS.

I have met quite a few CoS members over the years. Some of them are quite nice, well-educated, and really just into the whole rebellious 'gothic dark' thing. Others have been pretty smug asshats with chips on their shoulders.

This guy might be one of those!

[Prophet 451]

12. The CoS aren't the only Satanists

I'm a Luciferian Satanist. The CoS's claim to being the only "true" Satanists are hilarious, especially given that they don't worship Satan.

[TM99]

14. Oh, I know that.

The CoS as you say claim they are the 'one true Satanists' and yet don't even worship a deity. I always found that rather odd!

[ChazStevens]

3. Doing anyone a favor...

I made the cover of Time, the Daily Show, and a talk show in Australia ... I've sent politicians to jail. I've created a Florida icon... And I've got folks twisted over Satan. Why should I ever bother to ponder what you think ... or your agenda, or the agenda of others?

[Goblinmonger]

4. If you are Chaz, welcome.

My main question would be why throw satanists under the bus? I've never met a satanist I did like. This is kind of feeding of people's misperception. Why not just do a secular one? People have enough hate for us as atheists.

[cbayer]

7. Hello Chaz. I deleted my post about you because you may actually be who you say you are,

and that would be a rule infraction.

I'm having trouble getting more information on the Time magazine cover and the Daily Show. The only links I get are to the actsofsedition website, which I assume is yours, and I get a rather disturbing warning when I click to that site.

I also see that you posted twice here a few years ago when someone did a story about your flagpole and one of those was so crass it was removed by a jury.

So, I am really curious as to what agenda might be.

[rug]

8. What issue of Time?

What episode of TDS?

What Australian talk show?

What politicians?

I'm skeptical.

[TM99]

10. I am as well.

Extensive Google searching only shows a Time Magazine blog post on the Festivus Pole.

There is mention of the Festivus Pole on an episode of The Colbert Report as linked here:

http://tamaractalk.com/florida-festivus-pole-featured-on-colbert-report-11997

However, Colbert doesn't even mention Chaz Stevens in the video segment...just the pole.

Yes, he has some publicity. That appears to be what he is after. It is not as impressive as he makes it out to be. Of course, if links are provided, I will revise that assessment.

[rug]

11. Don't forget all the politicians he's sent to jail.

[AtheistCrusader]

9. You are the ONLY reason I have ever bought a case of PBR.

Welcome!

(Assuming identity is genuine)

[Prophet 451]

13. They couldn't find an actual Satanist to do it?

Granted, we're not the most organized bunch but I'm a (Luciferian) Satanist and hold a minister's license. I'd have been happy to do it.

[rug]

15. He's using Satanism as a tool to mock Christianity, mocking both in the process.

He's an asshole.