The minions of Satanism will gather in Boston on April 28-30 for SatanCon 2023 or, as its organizer The Satanic Temple (TST) claims, "the largest satanic gathering in history." This group, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, announced the gathering on social media.
Do you have your tickets yet? Don't miss out on the largest Satanic gathering in history!
Tickets available now at https://t.co/d4zWBS1zJC pic.twitter.com/lFLITmUEoA
- The Satanic Temple (@satanic_temple_) December 30, 2022
On the poster promoting the event, The Satanic Temple gives special thanks to Michelle Wu, Democratic mayor of Boston. Last year, the event took place in Arizona.
Satanists will have to wear masks
All those who wish to attend SatanCon 2023 will have to meet a series of requirements. They must be over 18 years of age and wear "an N-95, KN-95, or disposable surgical mask." In addition, "no leggings, bandanas or cloth masks will be allowed." There will be discussion forums, entertainment, satanic rituals, a satanic marketplace and even a chapel for satanic weddings.
The Satanic Temple, based in Salem, Massachusetts, describes itself as "the only federally recognized international religious Satanic (non-theistic) organization. Its mission is to "encourage benevolence and empathy, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense, oppose injustice, and undertake noble pursuits."
Strong defense of abortion
As stated on its website, The Satanic Temple firmly defends abortion rights, considering itself to be "the main beacon of light in this battle." The group believes that terminating a pregnancy "is a central part of a religious ritual that fosters self-empowerment and affirms bodily autonomy." In other words, they think abortion is a fundamental religious right.
The Satanic Temple went so far as to file two lawsuits against Indiana and Idaho to allow its members access to abortion following the reversal of Roe vs. Wade. After filing both lawsuits, Erin Helian, TST's director of campaign operations said:
We believe securing our members’ access to abortion to be of the utmost importance. Forcing people to go through pregnancy when they do not choose to is blatantly an overreach of these extremist officials’ religious dogmatism into politics, and TST will not allow that to stand.
