Satanic Church Plans Event at Oklahoma City's Civic Center

Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY – A local satanic church will attempt to spread its message during an event in downtown Oklahoma City next month.

Members of the Church of the IV Majesties will gather at the Civic Center October 21. The group's web site claimed the event will include a satanic ritual.

The church's head minister -- who would not reveal his name or face -- said the ritual is a staged exorcism, and a parody of the Catholic church.

The church has filed for corporation status and at least one member has obtained minister credentials. Members of the group said the event at the Civic Center will help educate the public.

"Our job is to provide a community and a basis for everybody to meet and practice their belief peacefully,"said the church's head minister.

There's nothing the city can do to stop the group from holding its event at the Civic Center. The city cannot discriminate against any religious group as long as the organization does nothing illegal.

"We are a government entity and as such we have to abide by the laws of the Constitution of the United States in saying that we have to abide by the first amendment which allows freedom of assembly for all groups," said Oklahoma City spokesperson Jennifer McClintock.

The church has a MySpace account.