{"id":31085,"date":"2019-10-15T22:03:16","date_gmt":"2019-10-15T22:03:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/10\/15\/naval-academy-midshipmen-seek-satanic-temple-space\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:24:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:24:37","slug":"naval-academy-midshipmen-seek-satanic-temple-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2019\/10\/15\/naval-academy-midshipmen-seek-satanic-temple-space\/","title":{"rendered":"Naval Academy midshipmen seek Satanic Temple space"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A group of U.S. Naval Academy<\/a> midshipmen who follow The Satanic Temple<\/a> religion recently asked for the storied naval institution to accommodate their faith like any other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in a nod to internet virality and pushing a message before the boss has signed off, officials in Annapolis have been doing a little clarifying since an Oct. 8 internal email leaked out proclaiming that \u201cSatanic services\u201d would soon be offered on the campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That email was, of course, posted to the military-themed \u201cdrunkoldgrad\u201d<\/a> Instagram account and you can probably imagine what happened next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cmdr. Alana Garas, an academy spokeswoman, has been tasked with clarifying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those midshipmen who follow The Satanic Temple \u2014 an IRS-recognized, tax-exempt religion \u2014 were just asking for a \u201cstudy group space,\u201d not for a sacrifice stage or to burn a pentagram into Ingram Field or to erect a giant horned icon in front of the Zimmerman Bandstand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA group of Midshipmen with beliefs aligned with those practiced by The Satanic Temple\u2026requested a space where they could assemble to discuss and share their common beliefs,\u201d Garas said in an email. \u201cThe request was for a \u2018study group\u2019 space, not for holding \u2018satanic services.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Garas added that the email went out prematurely before Chaps signed off on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also cautioned students who follow the \u201cpolitically active” religion from participating in its political side, lest it appear that their actions are endorsed by the Pentagon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMidshipmen have the right to assemble to discuss their beliefs as they choose, but, to be clear\u2026military members will not engage in partisan political activities, and will avoid the inference that their activities may appear to imply DoD approval or endorsement of a political cause,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the eager official fired off the \u201csatanic services\u201d email, \u201carrangements were being made to provide the Midshipmen with a designated place to assemble as chaplains facilitate the beliefs of all service members, a responsibility outlined by Navy instructions,\u201d Garas said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t