This year, The Satanic Temple’s Satanic Representation Campaign (SRC) took decisive action to protect TST members’ religious freedom, opposing legislative overreach and unconstitutional policies that sought to privilege certain faiths over others. SRC led efforts against a series of “Reject Escalating Satanism by Preserving Essential Core Traditions (RESPECT) Acts” in Arizona, Mississippi, and Iowa. These bills aimed to ban Satanic displays and practices on public property under the guise of preserving tradition. 2024’s RESPECT Acts were defeated thanks to the dedicated efforts of SRC, local congregation members, and TST’s Ministers, but we remain vigilant against similar legislative attacks in 2025.
Watch coverage of Arizona's RESPECT Act from "Now This!"
SRC was at the forefront of the national conversation surrounding legislation to introduce school chaplains in public schools, making it clear to lawmakers that TST’s Ministers of Satan were fully prepared to participate in such programs. Proactive advocacy from SRC and TST’s Ministers and members addressing their legislatures directly was central to defeating chaplaincy bills in Utah, Georgia, and Iowa. The impact of our efforts was evident after Florida’s school chaplain law was enacted, when Governor Ron DeSantis claimed that TST’s Ministers were ineligible, declaring that Satanism “is not a religion.” In response, SRC collaborated with local members to ensure school boards understood TST’s readiness to participate in their potential chaplaincy programs and the constitutional violations that would arise from excluding our Ministers. As a result, no chaplains have yet been introduced in Florida’s public schools.
Watch Governor Ron DeSantis' comments about Satanic Chaplains.
Watch TST Iowa address state lawmakers about a proposed school chaplain bill in a feature by "NowThis."
Watch Utah's House Education Committee learn about TST's interest in participating in their proposed school chaplain program.
To close out the year, SRC supported local TST members in achieving equal representation in the New Hampshire State House holiday displays and restoring the Baphomet statue after multiple acts of vandalism. As the battles over true religious freedom intensify in 2025, SRC will continue to challenge government-backed religious favoritism and protect TST members’ beliefs and rights from escalating theocratic pressures.
