Satanic convention requires masks, proof of vaccination

The Satanic Temple is requiring proof of vaccination and face masks for attendees at Satancon 2023, a Satanic convention scheduled for April 28–30. The "largest Satanic gathering in history” will take place in Boston and promises to be a “a Weekend of Blasphemy and Remembrance”.

“Satancon attendees must be 18 or over and have proof of COVID vaccination. Attendees must wear an N-95, KN-95, or disposable surgical mask. Gaiters, bandanas, and cloth masks will not be allowed,” says The Satanic Temple (TST) on its website.

Satancon is already sold out, and many of TST’s nearly 2500 followers are expected to attend, according to CBN News. The convention promises presentations, Satanic rituals, discussion panels, a Satanic marketplace and Friday night mixer, among other activities. There will also reportedly be a performance by a man dressed as a woman.

TST says its mission is "to encourage benevolence and empathy among all people, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense and justice, and be directed by the human conscience to undertake noble pursuits." On its website, the organization lists its seven fundamental tenets, which include the dictum that “one should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit one's beliefs,” and that “one’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone.”

In fact, the Satanists count bodily autonomy as a core human right and say they are raising funds to help provide abortions to protect what they call “religious reproductive rights”.

News of Satancon’s vaccination requirement comes after the 2023 Grammys, sponsored by Pfizer, featured a Satanic performance to Sam Smith’s “Unholy”.

Some across social media are calling TST’s vaccination requirement “fitting” and are drawing parallels between what they say are two faith-based cults in light of a glaring lack of scientific support for mask-wearing and COVID-19 vaccination.

A meta-analysis published last month and conducted by the Cochrane Institute — considered the “gold standard of evidence-based reviews” — has concluded that surgical masks and even N95 or P2 respirators offer little protection against COVID-19, if at all.

The researchers reviewed 78 global studies involving over a million people. Significantly, the studies they looked at were randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies, which are considered to be high-quality research and the scientific optimum.

As for vaccination, the CDC in August changed its guidance on COVID-19 “prevention measures” to “no longer differentiate based on a person’s vaccination status.” CDC guidance also does not require vaccination status disclosure. 

This is an addition to the fact that the COVID-19 shots do not prevent transmission of the virus, eliminating any scientific reason to require vaccination.

A study published this month also called vaccine mandates into question after finding that citywide vaccine mandates were ineffective at mitigating hospitalization and mortality rates.