First Satanic Temple chapter coming to Seattle

Seattle might be getting its first Satanic Temple chapter.

KING 5 reports the group will be holding its first meeting at the Fremont Public Library on Dec. 7.

While it sounds like an organization that worships Satan, one of the organizers, Lilith Starr, tells KING 5 they don’t actually believe in Satan.

“We don’t believe in any supernatural beings, God or Satan.”

“They’re not worshipping Satan as ‘he is our God,'” said KIRO Radio’s Tom Tangney. “Basically, they’re just saying they see Satan as a symbol of someone who rebels against the tyranny of God. So they’re not worshiping Satan so much as putting a check on the belief in God.”

That sounds a lot like atheism to Tom & Curley Show co-host John Curley. “Why bring Satan into this?”

These Satanists think of themselves as edgier, outcast atheists and not part of the mainstream, according to the KING 5 report.

As far as building support for the larger atheist movement, Curley doesn’t think bringing in Satan is going to help it grow.

“I don’t think it would help them at all, if you were to try to convince somebody,” says Curley. “To be an atheist it seems like you’re taking a neutral position, which I don’t believe, but to take the Satanist position, (implies they) believe in the opposite of God. I believe in evil and all these other things. As a PR move, it wouldn’t be a good one.”