OTTAWA COUNTY, MI — A contentious meeting of the Ottawa County Board was preceded by a crowded foyer, filled with protesters opposing a member of The Satanic Temple of West Michigan delivering the opening prayer. As the 6:30 p.m. meeting approached, the foyer was overflowing with individuals, their sentiments ranging from chants of “We love Jesus” to a resounding “Hail Satan” from one man in the crowd.
Prior to the meeting, demonstrators displayed signs on the wall, including one declaring “God always, Satan never.” Despite their name, The Satanic Temple of West Michigan is an atheist group that does not believe in Satan or God. According to Bendr Bones, co-head of the West Michigan chapter, they believe in “benevolence and empathy” and oppose “tyrannical actions of laws and arbitrary authority.”
The Satanic Temple’s opportunity to give the invocation arose from a policy change adopted by commissioners in January, opening the door for diverse speakers. This adjustment came after a Grand Haven pastor supporting LGBTQ rights filed a lawsuit, alleging that his request to speak in mid-2023 was denied due to his cultural stance. Ottawa County Board Chair Joe Moss denied the allegation, attributing the oversight to a simple error.
Under the new policy, pastors are permitted to speak on a first-come, first-served basis, provided they notify their district commissioner to be added to the speaker list. This change has sparked controversy, with some questioning the appropriateness of The Satanic Temple’s involvement in the opening prayer of a government meeting.
