Local RSS Feed


'Satan's posters' cause concern

9:50am Saturday 14th November 2009


STRANGE posters that apparently promote the Church of Satan have caused concern in Worcester.

Posters advertising a ‘family friendly’ Church of Satan gathering have appeared in various locations around St John’s, much to the surprise and upset of some local people. The leaflets, carrying the symbol of the hugely controversial group, suggests that members will be meeting for a barbecue and games in St John’s Cemetery, McIntyre Road, at midnight ‘this Saturday’.

There is no specific date and no contact details on the poster leading some people to believe their appearance on walls and inside shops is simply a hoax. But some residents are worried.

Teresa Cox, aged 39, of Bransford Road, reported the posters to West Mercia Police. She said: “We are not religious people but we thought it was a bit strange.

“It's just the fact that it's a cemetery in St John’s and there are people I know buried there. Even if it's just a bunch of kids, I don't want some weird stuff going on in the cemetery. That leaflet mentions sodomy and nakedness. It's just not on, really.

“I don't go to church, but I said to my husband that I don’t want things like this happening in St John’s.”

A spokesman for Worcester City Police said: “We are aware of the posters and are looking into their origin and content. Until we have more information we are not able to comment further.”

Worcester City Council, which owns the cemetery, has no idea where the posters came from, but has started removing them from St John’s.

The Church of Satan is an American-based organisation founded by Anton Szandor LaVey in 1968 and with beliefs based upon LaVey’s book The Satanic Bible. Membership is confidential, but in 2006 the church held its first public satanic mass ritual in 40 years in Los Angeles.


More Local stories

Your Say Your Worcester

pudniw_gib, Malvern says...
11:24am Sat 14 Nov 09

The track record of the organised Christian church would bring it pretty close to the Church of Satan I would say..
It does say in the bible that one should avoid any organised religion, whether it be the Church of Satan or England I would guess.
It is all a big lie made up by men in power and the only way is your way.

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

PaulMeUnder, Worcester says...
12:47pm Sat 14 Nov 09

I wonder if they will come up with a slogan as cracking as "Jesus is Lord"

"Satan is Ozzy"
"Satin is busy right now but if you want to leave a message after the tone then feel free but he probably won't respond"
"Satan is a very naughty boy"

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

Energetic, Malvern says...
4:51pm Sat 14 Nov 09

As a member of the CoE, I was mildly surprised when a Druid muse was appointed as our CEO. Is this the new look he is introducing?

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

mack18, worcester says...
6:39pm Sat 14 Nov 09

A barbecue and games in a cemetery at midnight -I think the Health and Safety Dept should get involved:)

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

ChristopherBlackwell, Deming, NM , USA says...
6:54pm Sat 14 Nov 09

Sounds like so teenagers or twenty somethings are having some fun. I sincerely doubt that Satanists feel the need to advertize their goings on.

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

CYNIC_AL, says...
7:23pm Sat 14 Nov 09

Behold... The Dark Prince!! Hehehe...

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

New Kid on the Block, Worcester says...
9:58pm Sat 14 Nov 09

In my motorcylcling days I seem to remember that the Prince of Darkness was one Joe Lucas.

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

Piccolo, Worcester says...
9:50pm Sun 15 Nov 09

Well, perhaps we shouldn't be entirely surprised considering the (legal?) signs on local roundabouts promoting Sin (even if it's just the name of a nightclub - whatever were the County/City Councils thinking about, I wonder, apart from grubbing-up some sponsorship cash) . Just presents a nastily unpleasant image of - otherwise - such a nice city

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

Frank Lee, Worcester says...
12:17pm Wed 18 Nov 09

I'd be surprised if any kids knew what Sodomy was? Or where the name originally comes from (unless they've actually read a bible which i doubt) and a naked BBQ? good luck to em - sounds like a hoax/joke to me. Wish I'd seen the posters though....I don't see the point of a picture of the Cemetery Notice?

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

nodevils194, virginia beach, va says...
6:27am Thu 19 Nov 09

Lauren, the COS was founded in 1966. I find it strange that everyone seems to think this event is so "funny". Look around the nation. There are teenage "dabblers" in prison and the cemetery who dabbled in Satanism. Not true COS members, but kids. I have taught this behavior to law enforcement, teachers, and parents for more than 20-years. "Not Funny"

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

Frank Lee, Worcester says...
10:21am Thu 19 Nov 09

nodevils194 - I'm afraid your post simply makes no sense.
You clearly state that the 'dabblers' were not COS members. So what is your point here? After reading this article I googled the COS and found that they don't actually worship Satan at all? they appear to be completely anti-religion.
So these 'dabblers' were acting under some other influence?
And what behaviour have you taught for 20 years?
Also I don't think a single person here has put that it is 'funny'? They might have approached it in a light-hearted way but none have said the act itself was funny.
Did you see the poster because I didn't and I have no idea as to how it was presented originally. Do you?

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

Frank Lee, Worcester says...
11:48am Mon 23 Nov 09

No devils? No comeback?

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

Frank Lee, Worcester says...
11:50am Mon 23 Nov 09

Actually did ANYONE here actually see the posters?

Report this post »    Register/Sign In »

Your sayYour Worcester

comment Add your comment

Register for a FREE Worcester News account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.

Please register now or sign in below to continue.

DARK GOINGS-ON: A poster circulated around St John’s, Worcester, said that a satanic gathering would be taking place. Photograph taken by Jonathan Barry. BUY THIS PHOTO: worcesternews.co.uk/pictures/sales. 46360901 Buy this photo icon Buy this photo » DARK GOINGS-ON: A poster circulated around St John’s warns of a gathering at St John's Cemetery (46360901)


LOCAL ADVERTISERS

Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »