(OPINION) Christians in Tyler, Texas, came together to pray ahead of a festival held Saturday by self-professed Satanists, atheists, heathens, spiritualists, and so-called “other’d folks” who participated in what they dubbed “unbaptisms.”
“As a Christian, we’re called to a spiritual battleground, and I think this is an opportunity to exercise our strength in our relationship with Christ,” Lauren Ethredge-Langas, a member at the Church of the Pines, told KVEO-TV of the decision to pray for those gathered Saturday for the “Pagan Pride Fest.”
Donnell Walder, the pastor of W.O.W. Church, emphasized the non-combative nature of the Christian presence and prayer event ahead of the Satanic festival. “We didn’t come down to bash anyone’s religion, but we wanted to stand as believers and pray,” he said.
Members of the Temple Of Satan are dancing and cackling around a man praying for the attendees of the “Unbatism” event. pic.twitter.com/1asslDNMfT
— Tayler Hansen (@TaylerUSA) October 29, 2022
The believers’ intentions were certainly different from those gathered for the “Pagan Pride Fest.” In a video posted by independent journalist Tayler Hanson, one attendee of The Satanic Temple purportedly said she wanted to “bother Christians” with her presence at the event.
Additionally, many of the festival’s participants were wearing religiously themed outfits, mocking those who believe in God. Some also painted upside-down crosses on their foreheads while others participated in what they called “unbaptism,” a sacrilegious ritual reportedly sold to attendees for $10.
The Satanic Temple is “unbaptizing” people for $10 each. pic.twitter.com/XdyzUgRX4g
— Tayler Hansen (@TaylerUSA) October 29, 2022
Those who partook in the ritual were purportedly given certificates that stated, “All bonds of servitude have been broken. Power and agency have been restored. Thyself is thy master. Hail Satan!”
It should be noted The Satanic Temple states that — despite its name — its adherents do not worship Satan. Rather, the far-leftist organization’s use of the name “Satan” is “to embrace rational inquiry removed from supernaturalism and archaic tradition-based superstitions.” However, Satanists were seemingly commingling Saturday with “spiritualists” and witches, those who do worship and/or call upon demonic forces. (READ MORE)
