In Santiago, Chile, a group called the Temple of Satan is challenging traditional religious structures in a country long dominated by Catholicism. On Friday nights, around 15 members gather in a dimly lit room filled with the aroma of incense and burning black candles to conduct symbolic rituals. But despite the name, the Temple of Satan isn’t about devil worship or sacrifices; instead, members gather to celebrate values like rationality, individualism, and self-determination, viewing the figure of Satan as a symbolic rebellion against restrictive dogmas.

This emerging group, established in 2021, represents a shift in Chilean society, where a long-standing Catholic tradition is facing a crisis of faith, fueled by sexual abuse scandals within the church. According to Luis Bahamondes, a professor at the University of Chile, this disillusionment with traditional religion is encouraging previously unimaginable challenges to the religious status quo.

Unlike the stereotypes perpetuated by Hollywood films, modern Satanists like those in Chile’s Temple of Satan advocate for non-violence, oppose animal cruelty, and prohibit members with criminal backgrounds. Instead, they prioritize rational thought, skepticism, and self-empowerment. “You are the owner of your present and future,” said Haborym, a spokesperson for the group. For its members, Satanism is less about worship and more about personal freedom, allowing them to live without restrictions imposed by religious norms.

The Temple of Satan has recently applied for legal recognition as a religious entity, which would grant it formal status alongside other religions in Chile. This move has ignited a fierce debate among Chile’s major religious denominations, many of whom released a joint statement expressing concern over the group’s growing influence.

Becoming a member of Chile’s Temple of Satan involves a rigorous screening process, including a psychological evaluation, and an internal name selection—a pseudonym of a demon or fallen angel that represents their rejection of conventional religious beliefs. Founded by Azazel, a former follower of Judaism, the group has grown to 100 members, with hundreds more applying since they sought formal recognition from Chile’s Ministry of Justice.

For many, joining the Temple of Satan is an escape from the rigidity of their previous faiths. Kali Ma, a dentistry student raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, expressed how Satanism contrasts sharply with her former religion’s strict lifestyle restrictions. In her view, “In Satanism, there are no solutions or absolute truths. You are your own god.”

Néstor da Costa, a religion expert from the Catholic University of Uruguay, sees this trend as a search for less dogmatic spiritual paths, a reflection of a growing desire among Chileans for personal belief systems that diverge from traditional faiths.

While it remains unclear if the Chilean government will grant legal recognition to the Temple of Satan, its very existence has sparked an unprecedented conversation within this conservative society. The group views its push for official status as a declaration of independence from deep-rooted traditions, representing a symbolic and real challenge to Chile’s religious landscape.

“We comply with everything that is requested of us as a religious entity,” said Haborym. “So there would be no reason to reject us beyond the fact that we’re a controversial figure.”

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