Photo by Chris Switzer.
Hundreds gather in commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the Satanic Temple of Detroit and witness transformative un-baptism ritual.
The Satanic Temple of Detroit performed an “Unbaptism” ritual on Devil’s Night at the Leland City Club. The ritual performance was part of a Devil's Night party held at the club which commemorated the one-year anniversary of the Detroit Chapter, which was officially established in September of 2014. The celebration also featured DJ’s, live performances, tarot readings, a pagan altar in observance of Samhain, and a series of video installations.
Jex Blackmore, director of Detroit chapter of the Satanic Temple, says that the group chose Devil’s Night for the celebration “because it’s a Detroit tradition associated with causing mischief--a behavior often attributed to the Temple and Satanic mythology.” The group also wanted to provide a healthy environment for celebrants rather than encourage destructive behavior often associated with the night before Halloween.
Over three-hundred guests observed the “unbaptism,” which to the Satanic Temple of Detroit, “represents a rejection of normative traditions and an opportunity for individuals to actively renounce their affiliation with the church, the liberation from which is empowering and transformative,” explains Blackmore.
The ritual featured seven participants and included use of holy water or a relic from the participant’s baptizing church. Celebrants extinguished baptismal water into fire when called to “cast your chains into the dust of hell.” Following the extinguishing, participants were given an apple by a man and woman adorned with live snakes and prompted to “savor the fruit of knowledge and disobedience.” At the close of the ritual, the audience demonstrated their support through call and response. When asked “Do you humble yourself before god? Do you apologize for your sins?” ” the crowd shouted “No!”
When Blackmore asked the crowd, “Do you agree to live in service to god?” The hundreds of attendees shouted,“We do not serve!”
Blackmore concluded the ritual with a declaration that participants are now “Unbaptised, in the name of Satan, the Light-Bearer, the Adversary, and the Animal.”
The crowd erupted in “Hail Satan” and devolved into a wild death-rock dance party.
The group plans on offering unbaptisms in the future. Any interested individuals may contact the group at detroit@thesatanictemple.com.