By Margaret Maccoll
Noosa Temple of Satan’s satanic mass went ahead last Friday with no protests and only a small group of dissenters who stood on the footpath behind a crucifix reciting prayers and passages from the Bible.
Attendees gathered outside The J Theatre where the event was held prior to its commencement to speak with media and express their views.
Describing herself as a heathen lesbian witch Lesley Pantlin spoke about free speech.
She said historically Christianity had the right to sway government but they should realise they were only one of the religions in the country.
She praised the free speech enjoyed by Australians but said she disagreed with the Freedom of Religion Bill because she felt it would give people the right to be discriminatory.“We have to have tolerance. We need to have respect,“ she said.
Members of the Noosa Church came to discuss their Christian views.
Church member Chris Symons said he wanted “to bring the love of God“. He said the Temple of Satan had the freedom to express its views.
“God is love, love can only be expressed in freedom,“ he said.
Noosa Temple of Satan leader Brother Samael Demo-Gorgon blessed some lollies that were dispersed on the footpath before attendees entered The J Theatre for the mass with two security guards on watch.
The sold out event featured a sermon delivered by Brother Samael and a few songs with the ceremony live-streamed on the group’s Facebook site.
Brother Samael told the gathering the Noosa Temple of Satan viewed Satan as a powerful metaphor for rebellion against arbitrary authority as well as a champion of enlightenment and had six core principles.
The principles included rebellion against tyrannical authority and compassion for those around them, he said.
To achieve enlightenment they encouraged skepticism driven by education and information.
Other principles included critical thought based in scientific knowledge, autonomy over ones bodies and indulgence in life’s pleasures as long as it causes no harm to anyone else.
