WASHINGTON – In an effort for religious inclusion, the US Naval Academyannounced that midshipmen whose beliefs align with the teachings of theSatanic Temple will now be able to convene and hold “satanic services.”
Nearly one month after the unofficial announcement of satanic serviceslinkcomingto the US Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland, the school’sadministration has now given a green light for followers of the SatanicTemple to organize under the USNA Command Religious Program.
“The USNA Command Religious Program provides for the exercise of diversebeliefs. Arrangements were being made to provide the Midshipmen with adesignated place to assemble as chaplains facilitate for the beliefs of allservice members, a responsibility outlined by Navy instructions,” USNAspokeswoman Alana Garas said in a statement, as reported by Stars andStripeslink,Sputnik quoted.
However the midshipmen who belong to the Satanic Temple are probably leftwondering what they will be discussing after Garas issued a reminder aboutthe school’s policy.
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“Midshipmen have the right to assemble to discuss their beliefs as theychoose,” she said, “but, to be clear, in accordance with Department ofDefense policy, military members will not engage in partisan politicalactivities, and will avoid the inference that their activities may appearto imply DoD approval or endorsement of a political cause.”
Followers of the temple may find this policy hard to adhere to, being thatthe organization’s very founding was more political than religious.According to a 2015 interview with the New York Timeslink,co-founder Malcolm Jerry revealed that the group’s “first conception was inresponse to George W. Bush’s creation of the White House Office ofFaith-Based and Community Initiatives.”
