Speak of the Devil

Book Description

When a group calling itself The Satanic Temple petitioned to place a statue of Baphomet alongside the Ten Commandments at the Oklahoma state capitol in 2013, it sparked a national conversation that continues to reshape American religious discourse. Scholar Joseph Laycock examines this provocative movement in a comprehensive study that goes far beyond surface-level controversy to explore fundamental questions about faith, freedom, and pluralism in modern America.

Through careful research and ethnographic observation, Laycock investigates whether The Satanic Temple represents genuine religious expression or elaborate political theater. Since its 2012 founding, the organization has grown to nineteen chapters with 100,000 supporters, launching campaigns for Satanic nativity displays on government property, after-school programs in public schools, and prayers at sporting events. These actions challenge conventional boundaries between sacred and secular, forcing communities to confront their assumptions about religious tolerance.

Rather than dismissing the movement as mere provocation, Laycock treats it as a serious phenomenon worthy of scholarly attention. His analysis reveals how The Satanic Temple's emergence as "political Satanism" marks a pivotal moment in American religious history, one that will influence future debates about religious freedom and government establishment of religion.

This balanced examination offers readers insight into how contemporary spiritual movements navigate the complex intersection of belief, politics, and constitutional rights, providing valuable perspective on the evolving landscape of American religious expression.