Churches counter Satanic Temple in Salem with prayers and preaching

The Satanic Temple has established its headquarters in Salem, Massachusetts, last week and churches in the area are planning to counter the move not with pitchforks and protests, but with prayers and preaching.

The temple is situated less than a mile from Gallows Hill, where people accused of witchcraft were executed in the 1690s. The building that houses the temple was previously an insurance brokerage. Lucien Greaves, the temple's spokesperson, says that the temple will host art installations, lectures and film screenings. 

Robert Liani Jr., a resident who operates a bakery down the street, does not think that there will be much backlash against the temple.

"It wouldn't be my favorite thing to put there," Liani tells the Boston Globe. "It was a little surprising, but I guess we're waiting to see what kind of art they show there," he adds.

Greaves says that the the organization will not be proselytizing in the area because they do not want to cause any controversy.

Pastor Arthur Savage of Wesley United Methodist Church says that he is praying for guidance on how to respond to the temple. He adds that he has a ministry that deals with people involved in occultism.

"We are involved with some ministries that come into the area to preach Christ and minister to people, especially during the [upcoming] October Haunted Happening events," Savage tells the Christian Post.

"We're not really confrontational, but more of a light in the midst of the darkness and a place of safety, and place of prayer," he adds.

Savage says that his church in the heart of downtown is ideal for outreach programs. The church has hosted groups that come to minister to people during Halloween festivals.

"Their approach is more praying for people for healing, prayer for interpretation of dreams. They are very much interested in sharing Christ with people," he explains.

Greaves states that the Satanic Temple currently has about 40,000 members across the U.S. Some of its campaigns involve supporting freedom of speech and the separation of Church and state.