Hail Satan and Hallelujah! The Satanic Temple is Officially a Church!
Jonathan Barkan
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Consider this perfect timing as The Satanic Temple, which is the focus of Penny Lane’s documentary Hail Satan? (now in theaters), has been officially recognized as a church by the IRS. This means that the church is qualified for tax exemption and, most importantly, allows it the same kind of access to public spaces as other religious organizations. This means that any time the church contests a Christian monument being raised in public places, they’ll have governmental clout behind them. Furthermore, they’re officially eligible for government grants.
“In light of theocratic assaults upon the Separation of Church and State in the legislative efforts to establish a codified place of privilege for one religious viewpoint, we feel that accepting religious tax-exemption — rather than renouncing it in protest — can help us to better assert our claims to equal access and exemption while laying to rest any suspicion that we don’t meet the qualifications of a true religious organization,” said Satanic Temple co-founder Lucien Greaves. “Satanism is here to stay.”
Hail Satan, indeed!
Hail Satan? synopsis:
“Chronicling the extraordinary rise of one of the most colorful and controversial religious movements in American history, Hail Satan? is an inspiring and entertaining new feature documentary from acclaimed director Penny Lane (Nuts!, Our Nixon). When media-savvy members of the Satanic Temple organize a series of public actions designed to advocate for religious freedom and challenge corrupt authority, they prove that with little more than a clever idea, a mischievous sense of humor, and a few rebellious friends, you can speak truth to power in some truly profound ways. As charming and funny as it is thought-provoking, Hail Satan? offers a timely look at a group of often misunderstood outsiders whose unwavering commitment to social and political justice has empowered thousands of people around the world.“
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