Minister Interview with H.E.L Newsletter of Europes TST candidate groups and congregations
Greetings Satanist, I am Minister Sitri Tommy Belucifer, founder and minister of candidate group; British Associated Fellowship of Satan or for short BAFOSatan after the iconic Baphomet statue of The Satanic Temple.
How long have you been involved with The Satanic Temple?
Nine years ago, I embarked on a journey with TST, but it was in 2020 that I truly immersed myself in its vibrant community. By 2022, I had the privilege of assembling a remarkable group of Satanists, including the gifted Hex Strange, and founding the ‘British Associated Fellowship Of Satan’.
My 9 proof date of becoming a member of TST- 2016.
BAFOSatan was envisioned as a creative sanctuary, a robust community hub where Satanists could explore innovative practises through education, shared life experiences, and the formation of deep bonds among its members. These individuals, though distinct, collaborate harmoniously, embodying our enduring motto: ‘I am legion for we are many’, inspired by demonic text in the Gospel of Mark in the Bible. (Nothing like using there own words against those pesky Christian’s lol)
The inception of BAFOSatan was a testament to the vision and support of my founding members and the influential head of ministry at the time. I am profoundly fortunate to have crossed paths with such extraordinary individuals. Witnessing the group’s exponential growth has surpassed my wildest dreams. I often jest that I may have given birth to BAFOSatan, but now it has matured, surpassing me in its own right. It has developed into a living, breathing entity, far exceeding my initial expectations. Yet, I will forever remain the proud guardian, sharing cherished memories and expressions of admiration, like ‘look at how you’ve grown’ and ‘remember when…’.
My affection for BAFOSatan is akin to that of a parent and child. Although the umbilical cord is severed, my dedication, sweat, and tears have been poured into this group, and my love for it will endure eternally. I often say that no one of us is better or more satanic then the other and we all hold a piece of the BAFOSatan pie, each slice offering a live deliciously sentiment and maintaining this very special space which we all contribute towards.
What have you worked on and what are you currently working on within TST?
At BAFOSatan, I am fortunate to engage in a diverse array of assignments and projects. My primary expertise, often described as the entertainment or the “show goat” of the group, is in the visual presentation of information. This skill is crucial in crafting a robust visual language for BAFOSatan, which seamlessly integrates into our events, communication with our community, and beyond.
Do you have any (prior) experience in Satanism or other left hand path groups outside of TST?
For the past 22 years, I have embraced the principles of Satanism, a journey that began at the tender age of 13. It was during this time that I first encountered the notion of God’s non-existence, which sparked a profound awakening. The oppressive nature of the Bible’s text, coupled with my newfound passion for music, led me to abandon Christianity in favour of Satanism. My first Satanic Bible was ordered from Waterstones, a place that unexpectedly became a sanctuary. The lady at the counter, who shared her past as a Satanist and goth, provided me with immense comfort and reassurance.
Upon receiving the book, I faced an immediate challenge when my mother discovered it and confiscated it. It took weeks for me to reclaim it, and in a moment of youthful ingenuity, I hid it beneath a hole cut in my mattress. This experience underscored the importance of my beliefs, which I held dear despite the obstacles. For most of my life, I was a devoted member of the Church of Satan, but around the age of 21, I began to question Anton LaVey’s theories. It wasn’t the “Might is Right” philosophy that troubled me, as I was not yet able to connect the dots, but rather the “Never Turn the Other Cheek” doctrine, which did not resonate with my personal ethos.
During this period of introspection, my spiritual journey faltered briefly. However, it was not long before I discovered the Satanic Temple, an organisation that aligned more closely with my values and aspirations. This encounter marked a turning point, and since then, I have been passionately committed to the Temple’s mission, which emphasises compassion, justice, and the pursuit of knowledge. The rest, as they say, is history.
Why did you become a minister in the first place, and is it still the same reason you remain one now?
Let me just begin with something that I’m always saying into BAFOSatan, being a minister doesn’t make you more of a satanist or less of a satanist than your fellow satanic sibling, but acts as a fancy title for the office work that goes into running a group haha! We are merely middle management of the temple and being a founder of BAFOSatan, it became apparent I’d be doing the paper work to ensure everything runs smoothly in the group. Yet becoming a minister wasn’t something I initially envisioned for myself. It started with a simple desire to learn more about The Satanic Temple, its philosophy, and what it stood for. Out of that curiosity, I chose to take the ministry course entirely on my own, without any intention of pursuing leadership. But as I continued to set up BAFOSatan with hex strange and a few fantastic people, I found a path unfolding before me—a calling to not only embrace the values I believed in but also to share them with others, so when no one else stepped up to those roles with the closing of ‘TSTUK’, I absolutely knew that I had to, as I could trust myself with this position with the right people around me and I knew where my heart was placed and there was no hunger for power or anything of the sort so, I saw the potential of what could be created and how I could create a place that I knew was the very being of the satanic temple and with that, I didn’t hesitate. Originally I was urged to find members of a new group and so we could co-found BAFOSatan, Hex Strange was my first point of call, this group was born out of a collective determination to rebuild something meaningful from the ashes of the old TSTUK. It wasn’t without challenges—quite the opposite. There were moments of intense resistance, negativity, and even personal attacks. But with perseverance and the support of like-minded individuals, we forged ahead, creating a community that embodies freedom, individuality, and mutual respect. The founding members of BAFOSatan, mostly Hex Strange will forever be in my heart and I am so grateful to met such amazing people.
Now then, I’d be lying if I said I was fully prepared for the weight of leadership, I opened my heart far to liberally in some cases, being to much of an open book and I've faced some truly awful situations in my position. The responsibility has come with its share of sacrifices, misunderstandings, and at times, outright hostility. My naïveté played a role—I underestimated how far envy and animosity could push people. And yet, I’ve learned to accept these challenges as part of the path. It’s not always easy, but the work we’ve done, and continue to do, makes it all worthwhile.
What keeps me here is the belief that everyone deserves a place where they can feel free—a space to connect with others who share their values, outside the constraints of societal expectations. Watching our community thrive, despite the obstacles, has been profoundly rewarding. For me, BAFOSatan is not just a group but something akin to an offspring—a legacy shaped by collective effort, nurtured by all its members.
As I see friends pursuing traditional milestones—careers, homes, families—I recognize that my path is different, but no less fulfilling. My commitment to this work isn’t about personal ambition; it’s about fostering a place where others can find what I found—a sense of belonging, purpose, and freedom.
No matter the trials, I remain steadfast in my belief that what we’ve built is worth every struggle. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about me; it’s about us, the community, and the values we stand for. The hate I have received coincides with the philosophy of the temple, people who are secret bigots will absolutely try and destroy you from the inside out but the truth will prevail and self sacrifice sometimes is the only way, but ironically I’m willing to die on this cross - be it a leviathan cross, because this symbol is so much bigger than I am and it will prevail, long after I’m gone, long after we’re all dust, this philosophy will continue to nurture future generations and I hope our community still acts as a safe haven for future Sitri’s, future BAFOSatan generations… what an amazing thought that is aye? So keep striving Satanists, I am honoured to walk side by side with you, poking the eyes of people who let hatred conquer their morals, to every Christian who told you you weren’t worthy and I’ll see you all in hell, where I’ll be stood at the door with your favourite beverage welcoming you to the party.
Minister Sitri Tommy Belucifer
