Satanists to give opening prayer at city council meeting

17:22 - 02 February 2016

Satanists in action

Members of a satanic group will give the opening prayer at an upcoming Phoenix City Council meeting.

Members of a satanic group will give the opening prayer at an upcoming Phoenix City Council meeting. Yahoo News reported.

Some council members have protested against the decision, but city attorney Brad Holm says the government cannot exclude a religion from praying under such circumstances.

According to Yahoo News a Satanic Temple member Stu de Haan says the group doesn't intend to do anything offensive.

He says the Satanic Temple doesn't believe in a literal Satan but see the biblical Satan as a metaphor for rebellion against tyranny.

The Arizona Republic added that the temple will perform the invocation on Feb. 17.

The city's invocation has been delivered by Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and people of other faiths. The satanists submitted a request in December to give the opening prayer this year.