On a Friday evening in Santiago, a small group gathers around a candlelit table, the air thick with incense and the smell of tobacco.
This is the Temple of Satan of Chile, where members—who include professionals including publicists, firefighters, and psychologists—meet to perform rituals and challenge religious norms.
Their organization, formed in 2021, seeks official recognition as a religious association in Chile, a largely Catholic country known for its deep-rooted religious traditions. Despite its provocative name, the Temple of Satan neither worships Satan nor engages in any criminal activity.
Instead, members say they uphold values inlcuding rationality, individualism, and personal freedom.
As Temple spokesperson Haborym explains, "You are the owner of your present and future; there is no God that makes decisions for you." The group's rituals, he adds, are intended to "bring out the emotions and leave the intellect aside."
Breaking Away from Dogma
Inspired by the Church of Satan in the U.S., Chile's Temple promotes secularism, self-responsibility, and intellectual freedom.
While they adopt Satan as a symbol of rebellion, they insist that the Temple stands against the stereotypes of Satanists in popular culture.
Movies such as Rosemary's Baby have fueled the misconception that Satanists practice evil, but Chile's Temple is against animal abuse, prohibits those with criminal records, and advocates for individual pleasures without religious shame.
The Temple's members come from varied backgrounds. Some, such as Kali Ma, a former Jehovah's Witness, turned to Satanism after finding traditional religions too restrictive. "In Satanism, there are no solutions or absolute truths," she says. "If we compare both, Jehovah's Witnesses are the real sect. They tell you how to dress, what to do, how to behave."
Religious Backlash and Debate
The Temple's application for legal recognition has stirred controversy. Leaders from Catholic, Jewish, Anglican, and Evangelical communities in Chile expressed concern, noting that Satanism historically symbolizes opposition to traditional religious values.
However, Temple members argue they are merely exercising freedom of belief and have a right to official recognition like any other religious group.
They also emphasize their opposition to violence and disavow any acts associated with Satanism's darker image. "We don't want people killing in the name of Satan," says Haborym.
The Path Forward
The rise of groups like the Temple of Satan reflects a broader trend in Chilean society: a shift away from the strong influence of the Catholic Church.
Scholars suggest this is part of a search for less dogmatic spirituality among those disillusioned by scandals and restrictions in traditional religious institutions. "It may be a readjustment of the religious side of people who leave Catholicism but continue to believe in something," says Néstor da Costa, a religion expert at the Catholic University of Uruguay.
The Chilean government has yet to rule on the Temple's application, but the group's emergence has sparked public discussion about the limits of religious tolerance and the changing landscape of faith in Chile.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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