A group of Satanists are planning to host the first ever “Black Mass” in Canada while using the opportunity (and inevitable publicity) to collect socks for charity.

The Mass itself is meant to be an inversion of a traditional Catholic Mass, though there’s no modern guidebook for how to do one. They might include music, chants, etc… and, just for kicks, the desecration of religious symbols. But the overlying idea is that it’s a group performing a private ritual. They’re not hurting anyone. And if you don’t like it, well, no one asked for your opinion. (It’s not like the event is taking place inside a church.)

Still, wherever a Black Mass has been performed in recent years, it has been surrounded by controversy. In 2014, one in Oklahoma City attracted hundreds of protesters. That same year, an event at Harvard University had to be moved off campus after social pressure.

But are people still worried about the event today? (Hell, at this point, an inversion of a Catholic Mass would be safer for children.) The Satanic Temple in Canada is hoping that’s not the case. Their ceremony will be held at a heavy metal bar called The Koven on August 17.

“It’s not meant to be an attack on another group. It’s supposed to be cathartic for those who practice it,” said [Satanist Nicholas] Marc. “Essentially, it involves using traditional symbols and inverting them to create a ritual that is meant to be the opposite of traditional mass.”

There are only 50 seats available, with pre-registration required. If I had to bet, I’d put my money on there being more journalists and curious spectators there than actual Satanists. But there will be burlesque! And a “Satanic Unbaptism” (perhaps with hair dryers?)! And a “sock drive for homeless shelters” because Satanists are good people, dammit. (If you bring new clean socks, you’ll get $5 off the cost of admission.)

I’m sure there will be complaints in the coming weeks, but not from anyone making sense. More power to The Satanic Temple for using the artifice of religion to inadvertently reveal the hypocrisies of theists who can’t handle other people proudly celebrating a different kind of belief.

(Thanks to Brian for the link)

