page_title: The Satanic Temple
section_title: Campaigns
hierarchical_section_title: The Satanic Temple / Mission / Campaigns
caption_attribution_description: English: The Satanic Temple co-founder Lucien Greaves speaks at SASHAcon 2016.
context_page_description: The Satanic Temple is a nontheistic religious group based in the United States. The Temple is recognized as a church for the purposes of tax exemption, with chapters in 16 US states, as well as two in Canada and one in the United Kingdom. The group uses Satanic imagery to promote egalitarianism, social justice, and the separation of church and state. Their stated mission is "to encourage benevolence and empathy among all people". The group was co-founded by Lucien Greaves, the organization's spokesperson, and Malcolm Jarry. The Satanic Temple has utilized satire, theatrical ploys, humor, and legal action in their public campaigns to "generate attention and prompt people to reevaluate fears and perceptions", and to "highlight religious hypocrisy and encroachment on religious freedom".
  The organization's participation in public affairs has manifested itself in several public political actions and efforts at lobbying, with a focus on the separation of church and state and using satire against Christian privilege that it says interferes with personal religious freedom.
context_section_description: Individual chapters hold gatherings with rituals and activities designed to highlight and push back against the right-wing religious establishment and archaic traditions and norms. For example, one group in Detroit held a gathering that included dance music, a porn room, "surprisingly good hors d'oeuvres", and "a statue that's either a penis and testicles or a woman gazing into a mirror, depending on your point of view", and a wine ceremony involving three naked participants.
caption: Lucien Greaves, spokesperson for The Satanic Temple, at SASHAcon, March 2016
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