Catholic Church Sex Abuse Scandals Push Chileans to Join Temple of Satan As Hundreds Apply for Membership

Despite Hollywood portrayals of the Satanic Temple, the church does not perform sacrifices or even worship the devil. Instead, its members support individualism, rationalism and see pleasures as something to celebrate rather than as something to be ashamed of. (Credit: Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

More and more Chileans are applying for membership at the Temple of Satan after years of sexual abuse scandals from the Catholic Church led to a crisis of faith for many.

Currently, there are about 100 members of The Temple of Satan: Satanists and Luciferians of Chile, but growing interest has led the group to request that the conservative Chilean government recognize them as a church, as reported by the Associated Press.