Christians protest as Florida city council allows Satanic prayer at its meeting

Satanic Temple member David Suhor leads the invocation at the Pensacola City Council meeting. (Screenshot/WEAR-TV)

Christians protested during the Pensacola City Council meeting in Florida on July 14 after a member of the Satanic Temple was allowed to say the invocation.

The council previously gave its go signal for David Suhor, co-founder of the local chapter of the Satanic Temple, to lead the invocation despite protests from Christians.

But as Suhor, who was wearing a black robe, went to the podium, the crowd protested and disrupted the meeting.

The church members began citing the Lord's Prayer to counter Suhor.

Members of the United Methodist Church of Pace were outside the city hall and others went inside to the meeting, according to WearTV.com.

Council President Charles Bare told Suhor that "I'm going to give you the chance to speak. If you deviate from what I feel is proper invocation speech, I will have you removed from the chamber."

Suhor agreed but requested that the people in the chamber stay quiet.

Bare told the crowd to keep quiet or they would be removed.

One said "no. He's going to bring his curses on us."

"I saw community of people come together and take a stand for what was right," said Bruce Gullie.

Another member of the audience said, "I would rather be in a room than let darkness sit here by itself."

When Suhor started his invocation, council member Gerald Wingate walked out.

Members of the audience spoke to speak their disapproval with the council's decision to let Suhor speak.

"When you invoke a name, any other name under heaven that is not the Lord Jesus Christ, your almost invite cursing or disaster to fall on you," said Vickie Truett.

related articles
Satanists to lead council meeting prayer in Phoenix; councilman calls it \'a mockery of everything\'
Satanists to lead council meeting prayer in Phoenix; councilman calls it 'a mockery of everything'

Satanists to lead council meeting prayer in Phoenix; councilman calls it 'a mockery of everything'

Phoenix City Council frustrates Satanists\' planned invocation by adopting silent prayer for meeting
Phoenix City Council frustrates Satanists' planned invocation by adopting silent prayer for meeting

Phoenix City Council frustrates Satanists' planned invocation by adopting silent prayer for meeting

Phoenix City council brings back prayer to public meetings — but limited to fire, police chaplains
Phoenix City council brings back prayer to public meetings — but limited to fire, police chaplains

Phoenix City council brings back prayer to public meetings — but limited to fire, police chaplains

Satanists kill restaurant worker in ritual to turn him into a vampire in Mexico
Satanists kill restaurant worker in ritual to turn him into a vampire in Mexico

Satanists kill restaurant worker in ritual to turn him into a vampire in Mexico

Colorado school district allows distribution of Satanic and atheist literature to students
Colorado school district allows distribution of Satanic and atheist literature to students

Colorado school district allows distribution of Satanic and atheist literature to students

Over 100,000 sign petition to stop Satanic Black Mass: \'A direct, deliberate and sinful act of hatred against God\'
Over 100,000 sign petition to stop Satanic Black Mass: 'A direct, deliberate and sinful act of hatred against God'

Over 100,000 sign petition to stop Satanic Black Mass: 'A direct, deliberate and sinful act of hatred against God'

Pope Francis says to sack Bishops if found \'negligent\' in abuse cases
Pope Francis says to sack Bishops if found 'negligent' in abuse cases

Pope Francis says to sack Bishops if found 'negligent' in abuse cases

Pope Francis suspends Archbishop of Guam over sex abuse allegations
Pope Francis suspends Archbishop of Guam over sex abuse allegations

Pope Francis suspends Archbishop of Guam over sex abuse allegations

Satanic Temple backs Planned Parenthood in pro-abortion movement
Satanic Temple backs Planned Parenthood in pro-abortion movement

Satanic Temple backs Planned Parenthood in pro-abortion movement

Arrest after satanic symbols painted in church graveyard
Arrest after satanic symbols painted in church graveyard

Arrest after satanic symbols painted in church graveyard

\'Satanic Islam\' pastor James McConnell forgives BBC presenter for \'hijack\' interview
'Satanic Islam' pastor James McConnell forgives BBC presenter for 'hijack' interview

'Satanic Islam' pastor James McConnell forgives BBC presenter for 'hijack' interview

City council seeks to thwart Satanist\'s invocation with silent prayer plan
City council seeks to thwart Satanist's invocation with silent prayer plan

City council seeks to thwart Satanist's invocation with silent prayer plan

News
Calls for urgent policy reforms to address widening marriage gap between rich and poor
Calls for urgent policy reforms to address widening marriage gap between rich and poor

A new report released by the Marriage Foundation has called for urgent policy changes by the government to address what it describes as a "calamitous" marriage gap of 51 per cent between wealthy and low-income couples.

Bear Grylls talks about faith in spite of doubts at Flame 2025
Bear Grylls talks about faith in spite of doubts at Flame 2025

Grylls described faith as an adventure and a journey.

Bible sales surge by 87% as Generation Z rediscovers faith
Bible sales surge by 87% as Generation Z rediscovers faith

Bible sales in the UK have risen sharply, increasing by 87 per cent from £2.69 million in 2019 to £5.02 million in 2024, according to new data from SPCK Group and Nielsen Book Data.

Lent and Ramadan have sparked complaints over the ‘woke’ storyline in BBC Radio drama The Archers
Lent and Ramadan have sparked complaints over the ‘woke’ storyline in BBC Radio drama The Archers

BBC Radio 4’s long-running rural drama The Archers has come under fire for its recent exploration of Ramadan, with many listeners criticising the decision to feature a Christian character, Lynda Snell, fasting in the run-up to Lent.