DFW Independent Coalition of Kitty-Loving Satanists
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/06/13
The DFW Independent Coalition of Kitty-loving Satanists formed after a schism in The Satanic Temple (TST) in May 2024, when its founder fired a respected minister over a meme. Many congregations, including DFW, chose independence due to perceived authoritarianism. The group embraces non-theistic Satanism, emphasizing science, reason, and rebellion against tyranny. Nightingale is the current leader. They maintain a welcoming community, particularly for marginalized groups, and uphold modified TST tenets. Their activism focuses on community service rather than stunts. Media portrayals of Satanists remain biased. The Coalition is restructuring and expanding, with engagement through Facebook and Discord. A related podcast, Satanists Are People Too, provides insights.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What inspired the formation of the DFW Independent Coalition of Kitty-loving Satanists, and how has the group developed since its creation?
Nightingale: The formation of the DFW Independent Coalition of Kitty-loving Satanists was a FAFO situation that, honestly, if answered in full, could fill an entire book. We were previously a local congregation of TST (The Satanic Temple) in Dallas, Fort Worth. Back in May of 2024, a great schism was initiated by the founder of TST in which he fired a very respected minister from another congregation because of a meme he posted and didn’t approve of. He pitched a hissy fit in a very childish and authoritarian way, and anyone who stood up for the minister was also fired. Within a month or two, over half of the congregation heads were fired, and more chose to leave alone. This not only included U.S. congregations but overseas congregations too. Many of those who stayed and defended the founder’s actions became very hostile, and their true colours emerged. TST was no longer a safe space nor a community-driven religion, and it lost sight of the tenets it claimed to be founded upon. Several leaders within the organization also quit due to the founder’s actions, including the director of the ministry. This major schism caused much unease and painted a clear picture of the path in which TST was headed. Because of this, our local congregation members voted and decided to leave TST and become independent, as did multiple other congregations. Since becoming independent, we have maintained the local community has grown in numbers and continues to thrive.
Jacobsen: How does the group define its non-theistic approach to Satanism?
Nightingale: Non-theistic is a nonsupernaturalist view of the world, turning to science as an arbiter of truth claims. Satan is a literary metaphor for rebellion against tyranny, and the symbols and rituals of Satanism sanctify personal sovereignty, reason, and compassion and give context and meaning to our community.
Jacobsen: How does the Coalition incorporate empathy and reason into its discussions and activities?
Nightingale: Part of what led most people to TST was their 7 Tenets. The first tenant states, “One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason.” The tenants are still well-respected within independent congregations, although they have now been slightly modified to avoid lawsuits. Empathy and reason are part of the core of our congregation. A lot of individuals who are drawn to Satanism find their way here because they were outcasted from elsewhere, mostly in part of their non-conforming, “non-Christian” values. Many are part of the LBGQT+ community and other marginalized groups. We embrace these individuals with open arms, accept everyone for who they are, and encourage individuality. We listen, provide resources for those needing help, and stand up to arbitrary authority.
Jacobsen: How are the Coalition’s rules and guidelines enforced?
Nightingale: Satanism is very individualistic, and there is no one way to practice it. Though we are very accepting of many forms, we do not tolerate bigotry or racism. One could have many red flags, and if you display one, you are banned. Part of our job as leaders is to protect our members; as you can imagine, there are many infiltrators. We attempt to screen individuals initially, but some do slip by. It usually doesn’t take long to find those who don’t belong and remove them from our community.
Jacobsen: What were the circumstances for the departure from TST as an independent coalition?
Nightingale: I answered most of that in question 1, but to reiterate, it was a unanimously voted-on decision by vetted congregation members to leave and go independent based on the actions of the founder of TST and their direction moving forward.
Jacobsen: How does the “kitty-loving” aspect contribute to the group’s identity and community culture? I endorse this very much as a fellow non-theist Satanist.
Nightingale: So that’s actually a funny story. For some reason, Satanists love acronyms; I mean, who doesn’t? Once we decided to go independent, we knew we had to act fast, rebrand ourselves and create new online spaces. Once, one of our leaders came up with the name DFW Independent Coalition of Kitty-loving Satanists, or D.I.C.K.S. Yes, we do love cats, but that’s just what was chosen to complete the acronym. We absolutely knew it would be temporary, and we are close to finalizing a new permanent name and logo for ourselves.
Jacobsen: How can folks engage with left-hand path communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area?
Nightingale: The first step would be to join our Facebook. It’s currently called DFW Independent Coalition of Kitty-loving Satanists. You can request to join and answer a few simple screening questions. Once approved, you will be part of the community. We have once-a-month and sometimes twice-month in-person socials in the area and monthly online socials. Currently, almost every activity we do is posted on Facebook. After attending three of those and getting to know more about you other than what’s on your Facebook, you can be extended a Discord invite and join the daily discussions on multiple topics with us. That is the current process.
Jacobsen: How is the media portraying Satanists in the States now?
Nightingale: As you can imagine, the Trump administration acted very poorly. As mentioned earlier, most of our members are of marginalized groups, and every day, their rights are being threatened if not taken away completely. We take measures to protect ourselves and loved ones, and no one is forced to be public about it. The vast majority of us use Satanisms (names we have created to protect our actual identity), and if anyone tries to or does dox someone, you are banned immediately. You control who knows any information or your association with us. Media has always been and will always be what it is: a way to push a specific narrative. Every media is different and biased; Fox News hates anything not far right-wing Christian extremists, while MSNBC will report on the positive aspects of TST. AP is as neutral as it gets with the media; they seem to report facts with the least bias. As far as entertainment media goes, Satanists are nothing like those portrayed in the movies. There are always those outliers that might come close, but they are not associated with us. We do not perform sacrifices, pray to Satan, sell our souls, or drink blood. We don’t even believe in a literal Satan (or God, for that matter) or souls. We are everyday people who work regular jobs, and most of us are private with our Satanism, and you wouldn’t ever know it unless we told you.
Jacobsen: What are the group’s plans or goals?
Nightingale: Since the schism, we have been in the restructuring phase and are building the framework to become more involved with the community. There is a discussion about joining a larger coalition of congregations and joining more causes. Right now, we continue to be a resource for those in need and help each other just as any church should. We will continue to grow and build a stronger foundation so that others can find a safe place within our community.
Jacobsen: Satanists have consistently done some of the most creative and fun activism. What would be an ideal activist stunt or presentation to you?
Nightingale: So we’re not interested in doing stunts; the current political climate is far too dangerous for that nonsense. Activism is a strong aspect of Satanism in the form of standing up to arbitrary authority and defending those who can’t defend themselves. The Trump administration has made it mainstream and “acceptable” to be a public bigot and has given the green light for closeted nazis to come out. My take on that is Fuck Nazis, but I don’t expect any member of our congregation to go head-to-head with one. Instead, we like to practice activism by helping out with food pantries, un-housed initiatives, picking up trash on the freeway, and, in my case, providing healthcare in lower-income areas. There are many ways to give back to the community, and providing resources to those in need does the most good within the community. Anyone interested in learning more about everyday Satanists, there’s an amazing podcast that our congregation head hosts called “Satanists are People too.” It can be found on Substack and Spotify.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Nightingale.
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