|
British Navy approves first ever 'Satanist'
The British Armed Forces has officially recognised its first registered Satanist, according to the Sunday Telegraph. Naval technician Chris Cranmer, 24, has been allowed to register by the captain of HMS Cumberland, based at Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth. The move will mean that he will now be allowed to perform Satanic rituals on board the vessel. According to the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Cranmer realised he was a Satanist nine years ago. Mr Cranmer said that was when he stumbled across a copy of the Satanic Bible, written by Church of Satan founder Anton Szandor LaVey. He said: "I then read more and more and came to realise I'd always been a Satanist, just simply never knew." Mr Cranmer, who is from Edinburgh, is now lobbying the Ministry of Defence to make Satanism a registered religion in the armed forces. Former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe said she was "utterly shocked" by the Royal Navy's decision. "Satanism is wrong. Obviously the private beliefs of individuals anywhere, including the armed forces, are their own affair but I hope it doesn't spread." She added: "The Navy should not permit Satanist practices on board its ships". Here, here! "God himself gives free will, but I would like to think that if somebody applied to the Navy and said they were a Satanist today it would raise its eyebrows somewhat." A spokesman for the Royal Navy said: "We are an equal opportunities employer and we don't stop anybody from having their own religious values." Posted by: Mark Espinola 2004-10-24 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=46844 |