A member of the Satanic Temple of Washington delivered the first invocation under a new Battle Ground City Council policy, marking the start of a practice intended to bring opening prayers, statements or moments of silence to future council meetings.
Bast Sekhmet, representing the Satanic Temple, addressed the council during its Monday, Oct. 5 meeting, offering remarks inspired by the organization’s seven tenets, or ethical principles. The invocation followed the adoption of Resolution 26-04, which established a written policy for opening invocations at council meetings.
“Good evening, and on behalf of the Satanic Temple, we thank you for this opportunity and look forward to doing this again next year,” Sekhmet said.
Sekhmet described the Satanic Temple as a non-theistic organization that emphasizes compassion, empathy, justice, autonomy, freedom of speech, scientifically based beliefs, accountability and wisdom.
“Let us bravely face the truth rather than hide behind comforting delusion, because regardless whether a supreme being really exists, history will be our judge,” Sekhmet said. “So let us embrace those among us who understand that morality, compassion, and service to others do not require devotion to any faith of ancient doctrine. Let us recognize that humans are capable of choosing kindness, empathy, and helping those in need, regardless of any religious faith.”
Sekhmet concluded the invocation by saying, “Hail Satan, the archetype or symbol of the bringer of knowledge, and hail thyself. Thank you.”
The appearance drew a response from some community members outside the meeting. Randy Bumala, of Battle Ground, who strummed a guitar and sang gospel music, described his reason for attending. Bumala was joined by his wife and a pair of other community members.
“We heard a report that there would be someone who worships Satan doing the invocation here tonight,” he said. “So we're here to nullify the power of darkness with praise and worship and represent Jesus Christ. And it's the name above every name and he puts down every dark power there is, including the devil himself.”
He added, “So that's why we're here.”
The council adopted Resolution 26-04 at its Aug. 3 regular business meeting.
The policy states that a three-minute invocation will be offered after a meeting is called to order and immediately before the Pledge of Allegiance. Participation is voluntary, and the opportunity is available on a rotating, first-come, first-served basis.
Under the resolution, people affiliated with local faith-based organizations and ministries may offer invocations. Individuals or groups without religious affiliation may instead provide a brief statement or request a moment of silence to reflect on the responsibilities of governing, seek peace and wisdom, or appeal to shared national values.
The resolution states the council “serves constituents of all faiths and beliefs, expresses no faith preference, and recognizes no faith as superior or inferior to others.” It also specifies that a person's faith, or lack of faith, cannot disqualify them from giving an invocation.
Each invocation, statement or moment of silence is limited to three minutes and must be delivered by one person. The policy requires remarks to be positive and uplifting and prohibits denigrating other faiths or nonbelievers, threatening damnation, proselytizing or preaching conversion. Invocations also cannot be used to lobby for funding or support.
The resolution further states that no council member, member of the public or city staff member is required or expected to participate. Participation, or a decision not to participate, cannot be grounds for retaliation, discrimination or preferential treatment by the city.
Requests to deliver an invocation must be scheduled through the city manager's office on a first-come, first-served basis. The office will maintain a roster, and individuals or groups may give an invocation no more than once per calendar year.
The resolution says some meetings may not have a scheduled participant. In those cases, the mayor may ask for a moment of silence at their discretion.
The Reflector submitted a public records request to the city of Battle Ground on Tuesday, Oct. 6 for communications between the city and the Satanic Temple of Washington to begin tracking if invocation speakers live in or outside of Battle Ground proper. As of publication, the city had not yet fulfilled the request.
