View source for Schisms

The Satanic Temple has undergone a number of schisms since its foundation. This list is incomplete and under construction.

=2018=
==Jex Blackmore schism==
As later detailed in ''Hail Satan?'', Jex Blackmore was dismissed from the organisation in early 2018 following an "unsanctioned" performance art piece containing what were deemed to be inflammatory statements.<ref>[https://wordandway.org/2019/05/29/getting-in-on-and-tossed-out-of-the-satanist-temple-joke/ Word & Way article]</ref><ref>[https://www.jezebel.com/satanic-artist-and-activist-jex-blackmore-on-her-contro-1834791520 Jezebel interview]</ref>. Blackmore, however, contended that this was a personal art statement and that the request for her resignation reflected sexist/non-inclusive attitudes within TST leadership.<ref>[https://medium.com/@JexBlackmore/the-struggle-for-justice-is-ongoing-6df38f8893db Jex Blackmore on Medium - "The Struggle for Justice is Ongoing"]</ref>
As a result the Detroit chapter also left TST.

==Global Order of Satan schism==
In 2018, TST UK collaborated with artist Darren Cullen in the Kreuzpflicht activism project<ref>[https://www.spellingmistakescostlives.com/kreuzpflicht Kreuzpflicht project]</ref>. This responded to new legislation in Bavaria, Germany, which required crucifixes to be hung in the foyers of public buildings; this was justified by authorities as the cross was seen as a "cultural symbol" rather than a religious one. The project mailed modified crucifixes to public bodies, which could only be hung inverted.

The project caused conflict with TST International Council, as the UK Chapter received no response from enquiries within TST and proceeded with the project without receiving official permission. As a result the UK Chapter Head was dismissed. After a vote was taken among UK members for a new Chapter Head, the member selected was rejected without explanation by TST International Council.

This precipitated an independence vote among European Chapters, after which the UK Chapter disaffiliated from TST and was joined by chapters from
* Sweden
* France
* Italy
* Germany
* Austria
* West Balkans
* Hungary
* Belgium
* Switzerland
* Denmark
* Australia ("following Eurovision rules")
<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Sjv1YUuRyntqwdAN/ Global Order of Satan independence announcement] </ref>

Filming for the documentary ''Hail Satan?'' took place immediately after the UK Chapter's decision to leave TST, and included interviews with many of the members of the UK chapter about the background and motivations for their departure. However none of this material made it into the final cut of the film, with the released cut instead giving the impression that the interviewed members remained part of TST.

After first naming themselves Satanic Temple International, the new organisation later rebranded as Global Order of Satan and continues to operate independently as of 2024.<ref>[https://www.globalorderofsatan.com/about-the-global-order-of-satan/history-and-background-of-the-global-order-of-satan/ About The Global Order of Satan]</ref>

==Randazza schism==
After hiring right-wing lawyer Marc Randazza to represent TST, the Los Angeles<ref>[https://www.vox.com/2018/8/9/17669894/satanic-temple-alt-right-marc-randazza-lawyer-lucien-greaves Vox article]</ref> and Portland<ref>[https://www.wweek.com/news/2018/08/18/satanic-portland-leaves-national-satanic-temple-over-a-lawyer-with-ties-to-the-alt-right/ Willamette Week article]</ref> chapters left TST in protest, and the New York chapter head resigned among other high-profile departures.

=2023=
==David Silverman schism==
On June 5th, 2023, David Silverman tweeted a photo with [[Doug Misicko]] at the Baphomet statue in TST's [[64 Bridge LLC|Salem HQ]].
David Silverman is the former president of American Atheists, before departing under a cloud following sexual assault allegations <ref>[https://www.conservapedia.com/Firing_of_David_Silverman_from_the_American_Atheists_organization Conservapedia article]</ref>. He subsequently became known for posting transphobic comments on Twitter. Following criticism for being photographed in public with him, [[Doug Misicko]] doubled down, attacking critics.<ref>[https://x.com/LucienGreaves/status/1666566543642075137/ Lucien Greaves on Twitter]</ref>

Queer Satanic posted about this event:<ref>[https://medium.com/@queersatanic/whats-going-on-with-david-silverman-and-the-satanic-temple-3aeadc6fd7e Queer Satanic article]</ref>.

Following a number of additional dismissive comments, a number of TST groups disaffiliated from the main organisation, including TST UK (rebranding as Satanists in the Wilderness) and Sober Faction.

=2024=
==Memegate / Eternal Nobodies schism==
In May 2024, emails between [[Doug Misicko]] and a TST Minister were released in which the Minister was unceremoniously fired.
Subsequently, Doug appeared on the [[The_Satanists_Nextdoor_Ep46_Internal_Strife_and_the_Path_Forward_for_TST|The Satanists Next Door Podcast]], further attacking critics who he described as "eternal nobodies".<ref>[https://queersatanic.com/the-satanic-temple-and-its-eternal-nobodies/ QueerSatanic: The Satanic Temple and its Eternal Nobodies]</ref>

A number of prominent members and groups disaffiliated from TST following this series of events, including:
* Head of TST Ministry [[Greg Stevens]] dismissed
* The Satanic Temple Minnesota leaves, becoming "Minnesota Satanists"
* The Satanic Temple of Florida leaves, becoming "Sunshine Serpent Society"
* The Satanic Temple of Australia leaves
* The Satanic Temple of Colorado leaves, becoming "Satanic Colorado"
* The Satanic Temple of Alabama leaves, becoming "Alabama Society for Pluralism and Freethought"
* The Satanic Temple of North Carolina leaves
* A majority of The Satanic Temple Germany members and Ministers leave
* The Satanic Temple France withdraw from the TST Candidate Groups programme, becoming France Satanique et Francophones
* TST Nevada
<under construction>