Satanic Black Mass at Harvard Canceled

[Altair]

This controversy has been raging for a few days now, and the pressure eventually became too much, it seems, even though the university wouldn't ban it outright.

Amid outcry, black mass at Harvard is called off

"A reenactment of satanic rituals known as a “black mass” that had been scheduled for Monday evening on the Harvard campus was abruptly canceled amid a chorus of condemnation from Catholic groups and university officials and students."

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/05/12/cardinal-sean-malley-expresses-disappointment-harvard-decision-allow-black-mass-campus/tUjYx2817C65LAHousRIeP/story.html

I was particularly interested since this is the same group trying to put up the Baphomet statue in Oklahoma and who conducted the "Pink Mass" to make the mother of the late Fred Phelps Sr. (he of the vile funeral-disrupting Westboro Baptist Church) retroactively lesbian in the afterlife. If nothing else, they've got a flair for grabbing publicity. Gotta say, I like their style.

(I also love that they supposedly did a scaled-down version anyway at the Hong Kong--long a campus hangout best known for its enormous "scorpion bowls" of sweet alcoholic concoction, provided with multiple straws, so that a group of revelers can race to the bottom of the bowl [and end up under the table]. It suggests the Satanic Temple has a healthy sense of humor about all this.)

A black mass is clearly non-Christian and I can see why it would be seen as in opposition to Christianity. But does anyone know why it's being flagged as virulently anti-Catholic in particular? Is there a history here I don't know? Or is it the fact that they call it a "mass"?

[Jenett]

A black mass is clearly non-Christian and I can see why it would be seen as in opposition to Christianity. But does anyone know why it's being flagged as virulently anti-Catholic in particular? Is there a history here I don't know? Or is it the fact that they call it a "mass"?

 
One of the core pieces historically is the use of a consecrated host from a Catholic mass (which, through the doctrine of transubstantiation is, y'know, Jesus.) Which is a deliberate defiling of something sacred in another religious tradition, with all the problems therein.

[Altair]

One of the core pieces historically is the use of a consecrated host from a Catholic mass (which, through the doctrine of transubstantiation is, y'know, Jesus.) Which is a deliberate defiling of something sacred in another religious tradition, with all the problems therein.

Ah, I could see how that would be a problem. Thanks.

[Melian Brythonia]

This controversy has been raging for a few days now, and the pressure eventually became too much, it seems, even though the university wouldn't ban it outright.

Amid outcry, black mass at Harvard is called off

Aww, that would have been an interesting thing! Had I been in the area, I would have probably checked it out, haha.

[missgraceless]

Amid outcry, black mass at Harvard is called off

Had I known about this, I totally would've driven the four hours to Boston. I'm no Satanist, but like that girl said, I have a thirst for knowledge, especially religions.

[RandallS]

One of the core pieces historically is the use of a consecrated host from a Catholic mass (which, through the doctrine of transubstantiation is, y'know, Jesus.) Which is a deliberate defiling of something sacred in another religious tradition, with all the problems therein.

Also, a "true" black mass has to be celebrated by a defrocked Catholic priest.

[Castus]

This controversy has been raging for a few days now, and the pressure eventually became too much, it seems, even though the university wouldn't ban it outright.

Amid outcry, black mass at Harvard is called off

"A reenactment of satanic rituals known as a “black mass” that had been scheduled for Monday evening on the Harvard campus was abruptly canceled amid a chorus of condemnation from Catholic groups and university officials and students."

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/05/12/cardinal-sean-malley-expresses-disappointment-harvard-decision-allow-black-mass-campus/tUjYx2817C65LAHousRIeP/story.html

I'm not going to lie, when I read it had been canceled I did a fist-pump.
 
As far as I recall, although they had initially claimed to have a consecrated host in their possession they later relented and said they would be just using a regular piece of bread. Still very distasteful; as a "traditional" Black Mass is intended as somewhat of an inversion of a regular mass and I'm given to understand that some of the more well-know French versions, as well as that of LaVey, borrow rather heavily from the Roman Missal. All in all, it kinda seems like a pseudo-serious religion openly mocking another religion in the dubious name of religious education.

[RandallS]

All in all, it kinda seems like a pseudo-serious religion openly mocking another religion in the dubious name of religious education.

However, a black mass being an "inverse" of a standard mass makes theological sense -- both from the POV of Christianity and Satanism. And Satanists have every right to practice their religion even if its practices offend Christians.

[Skyth]

However, a black mass being an "inverse" of a standard mass makes theological sense -- both from the POV of Christianity and Satanism. And Satanists have every right to practice their religion even if its practices offend Christians.

Would use/possession of an actual consecrated host be considered theft though?

[Jack]

Would use/possession of an actual consecrated host be considered theft though?

Presumably it would depend on how they got the host. There were plenty of times as a kid I played Stick The Communion Wafer To The Top Of My Mouth And See How Long It Takes To Dissolve and basically took the wafer home. If someone was given the wafer during mass, or found a priest willing to give it to them, it's not theft.

[Sophia C]

This controversy has been raging for a few days now, and the pressure eventually became too much, it seems, even though the university wouldn't ban it outright.

Amid outcry, black mass at Harvard is called off

"A reenactment of satanic rituals known as a “black mass” that had been scheduled for Monday evening on the Harvard campus was abruptly canceled amid a chorus of condemnation from Catholic groups and university officials and students."

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/05/12/cardinal-sean-malley-expresses-disappointment-harvard-decision-allow-black-mass-campus/tUjYx2817C65LAHousRIeP/story.html

 
I hadn't realised that it was only going to be a lecture followed by, basically, a historical re-enactment - with no consecrated wafers used. Interesting (if you believe this article's claim to be the 'real' story).

[RandallS]

Would use/possession of an actual consecrated host be considered theft though?

Not unless they stole it. It's actually fairly easy to obtain one "legitimately".

[Altair]

I hadn't realised that it was only going to be a lecture followed by, basically, a historical re-enactment - with no consecrated wafers used. Interesting (if you believe this article's claim to be the 'real' story).

I think the ideas the Satanic Temple was trying to communicate were way too subtle to possibly survive the sensationalism. And I don't think that's the entirely the fault of the offended community/ies.

I still like these guys, though. Their calculated transgressions can shine a harsh light on this country's rightward tilt.

[Darkhawk]

I hadn't realised that it was only going to be a lecture followed by, basically, a historical re-enactment - with no consecrated wafers used. Interesting (if you believe this article's claim to be the 'real' story).

 
Hah, I was just opening up this thread to post that link...

(Clearly I need to read through my RSS reader faster!  But Thursdays, ugh.)

[Jabberwocky]

I think the ideas the Satanic Temple was trying to communicate were way too subtle to possibly survive the sensationalism. And I don't think that's the entirely the fault of the offended community/ies.

I still like these guys, though. Their calculated transgressions can shine a harsh light on this country's rightward tilt.

I strongly suspect the sensationalism is a feature, not a bug.  They're stuntists, deliberately using provocation as a way of making their point.
 
Which is great, I've always liked that approach.  (They remind me of some of the 60's countercultural groups in an odd way).  But, equally, I'm not going to get too worked up about this being cancelled or them being attacked in the press.  Not when I think that this was their aim all along.