Satanic Temple Seeks Legal Recognition in Chile

The Temple of Satan, founded in 2021 in Chile, is gaining traction as a secular group that advocates individualism and rationality rather than traditional religious beliefs. With 100 current members and over 400 recent membership applications, the organization seeks legal recognition as a religious association amid a decline in faith in conventional religions. Members, who include various professionals, emphasize that their rituals are symbolic, focused on human achievement and personal empowerment, and do not involve the worship of Satan or any harmful practices. The group has strict admission criteria, requiring a clean criminal record and psychological evaluation. Their rise in popularity comes at a time when the Catholic Church faces multiple scandals, leading many to seek alternative communities. The Temple of Satan aims to challenge societal norms while promoting a message of personal freedom and skepticism towards traditional dogma.