Fight for the Lord: What happens when a Satanist and a Pastor try to settle their differences?

A controversial monument is set to be released by the New York-based Satanic Temple in Detroit, Michigan, later this July. Inevitably, a Christian pastor stood up for Christians everywhere, expressing a negative reaction; it all boiled down to a face-off against the representative from each opposed group.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - The clash ensued last week between Jex Blackmore, president of the Detroit chapter of the Satanic Temple and Pastor David Bullock of the Greater Saint Matthew Baptist Church in Highland Park. They participated in a heated repartee over the definition of Satanism and the giant goat-headed deity statue.

"The statue is supposed to create a dialogue?" Pastor Bullock stated, calling the monument polarizing. "Well, statues don't talk and if you wanted to have a dialogue with other faiths - I mean why not send an email in advance?"  

"You've already made decisions about who we are, you've defined us for us, you've effectively taken our voice away from us and said that we are bringing evil to Detroit," Blackmore replied, insisting it was Bullock who was polarizing. Bullock retaliated and said, "No, you're putting words in my mouth now - I said mockery."

The clash continued, leading Blackmore to press that there are many misapprehensions surrounding Satanists.

"There is deep misunderstanding about Satanism as a religion in all of its various forms, because Satanism and the term satanic has been used as a political tool... throughout history," she said, going on to share the definition. "We attempt to assert ourselves and our Satanic rights... we understand Satan not in the Judeo-Christian concept, but in a literary and philosophical history in which Satan is a cultural hero, a liberator, the ultimate rebel against tyranny."

"Why call it satanism?" asked a not convinced Bullock. "If it's a political agenda, if you're a nontheist and you believe Satan is a literary figure... if you don't believe in the devil, why call yourself a Satanist?"

It has been reported that the debated statue will now be unveiled in private over reported threats.

"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7

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