TOPEKA, Kansas – The Kansas Statehouse became a scene of confrontation on Friday, March 28, when members of the Satanic Grotto clashed with Christian counter-protesters over religious freedoms and the right to hold a Black Mass within the Capitol building. To be clear, many Satanists are not Pagan – many are atheists. But the work of some Satanic groups in maintaining religious freedoms and the separation of church and state benefits many spiritual paths, including Paganisms.
The Satanic Grotto, a non-profit corporation registered in Kansas, is an independent, non-denominational satanic church that emphasizes inclusivity and social justice. “We are an independent and non-denominational satanic church that utilizes philosophies from many walks of the left-hand path,” the organization states. “We are feminist, LGBTQ allies, and anti-racist. Nazi Satanists can fuck off.”
The group lists its goals as providing mutual support for members and allies, supporting religious needs, promoting Satanic education, encouraging art and culture, and advocating for political and social change. Despite their unorthodox practices, the Grotto’s stated mission reflects values of pluralism and community-building.
Mugshot or Michael Stewart [Photo Courtesy/Shawnee County Department of Corrections]
The confrontation on Friday involved about 30 members of the Satanic Grotto, who were led by their president, Michael Stewart. The group rallied outside the Statehouse in Topeka to advocate for the separation of church and state. They protested the preferential treatment toward Christian groups that were allowed to conduct ceremonies within the building.
Governor Laura Kelly temporarily banned all protests inside the Capitol on that particular day, so the Grotto proceeded with their planned event outside.
Stewart’s wife, Maenad Bee, told reporters, “He’s only exercising his First Amendment rights.”
The rally drew hundreds of Christian counter-protesters, particularly from the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property, a group based in Hanover PA that promotes Christian conservatism, patriotism and opposed a litany of issues including “the social acceptance of homosexual practice,” nudism, “President Carter’s human rights policy,” and “the enactment of State laws forcing clergy to violate the seal of Confession in cases of child abuse.”
A “permitted space” on the south steps was filled with Christian groups praying, singing hymns, and calling on Satanic Grotto members to repent. Archbishop Joseph Naumann had previously filed a lawsuit against the Grotto, accusing them of stealing a consecrated host — the unleavened bread blessed by Catholic priests during Mass. The lawsuit was dropped after Stewart testified the wafers had been lawfully purchased.
Stewart conducted the Black Mass on the eastern steps of the Capitol building, reciting Satanic verses and presenting a communion wafer. Tensions quickly escalated.
As Stewart read from a script in the first-floor rotunda, a counter-protester, identified as Marcus Schroeder, attempted to snatch the wafer from Stewart’s hands. Stewart resisted, prompting Kansas Highway Patrol troopers to intervene and arrest Stewart.
Video footage from KSNT-TV captured the chaotic moment, showing officers wrestling Stewart to the ground, handcuffing him, and escorting him from the building.
“To Hell with Laughter” – Satanic Grotto Logo
Stewart was briefly jailed on charges of disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly before being released on $1,000 bond. Two others associated with the Grotto were also arrested for unlawful assembly. Schroeder was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct and released on a $1,000 bond.
Christian protesters viewed the Satanic Grotto’s presence as a direct affront to their faith. “The Bible says Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy, so when we dedicate a state to Satan, we’re dedicating it to death,” said Jeremiah Hicks, a pastor at the Cure Church in Kansas City, Kansas.
While the Grotto emphasizes a diverse range of beliefs — some members are atheists, others embrace Satan as a symbol of independence — many Christians viewed their ceremony as a sacrilege. “Today is the saddest day in the history of Kansas,” said Francis Slobodnik, who spoke at the American TFP rally. “For God is being directly challenged on state Capitol grounds.”
“Sacred objects and perhaps the blessed sacrament itself — we don’t know what they’re going to do — are being allowed to be profaned by public authorities, some who have a misguided notion of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Today’s horrific event, the first of its kind in the history of Kansas, is a sacrilege,” Slobodnik said.
The Cure Church pastor Kelly Lohrke acknowledged the Satanic Grotto’s right to free speech but insisted on Christians’ right to counteract through prayer. “We want to see these guys come to the Lord. It’s freedom of religion; everybody can be here. But we also have a right to pray,” Lohrke said.
“The state of Kansas allowing such a horror to occur on state property is inviting God’s wrath,” Slobodnik warned.
Stewart, however, remained clear and defiant, suggesting his group might return. “Maybe un-baptisms, right here in the Capitol,” he said before his arrest. His frustration over what he described as preferential treatment toward Christian groups was echoed by his friend, Amy Dorsey, who, reports say, participated in the rally to advocate for free speech and religious freedoms.
The incident underscores the ongoing conflict provoked by Christian nationalists seeking control of public spaces. As Stewart was led away, his shouted invocation of “Hail, Satan!” – a clear challenge against Christian dominion theology.
The Wild Hunt is not responsible for links to external content.
To join a conversation on this post:
Visit our The Wild Hunt subreddit! Point your favorite browser to https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Wild_Hunt_News/, then click “JOIN”. Make sure to click the bell, too, to be notified of new articles posted to our subreddit.