Temple of Satan blocked from Gold Coast prayer room is not a religion, court rules

A spiritual group blocked from visiting the controversial prayer room at the Gold Coast City Council chambers is not a religious denomination or society, a court has ruled.

A spiritual group blocked from visiting the controversial prayer room at the Gold Coast City Council chambers is not a religious denomination or society, a court has ruled.

The Noosa Temple of Satan last month tried to book the prayer room and reinstate a “demonic stronghold” Pastor Sue Baynes claimed was once present at HOTA.

The Noosa Temple took the state government to the Supreme Court after Education Queensland denied them the ability to provide religious education in schools.

The Noosa Temple of Satan’s Robin Bristow at the green bridge at HOTA. Picture Mike Batterham

Last week, the court ruled the Noosa Temple was not a religious group.

In Queensland, religious organisations are allowed to provide up to one hour of education in a state school at a time agreed with the principal.

Noosa Temple of Satan member Robin Bristow told the court the Temple was “devoted to the education, practice, celebration and promotion of the religion of Satanism”.

But the court was also given evidence of Mr Bristow being interviewed on a podcast in which he said that Satanists do not believe in Satan.

“They don’t believe he exists, so that’s the first principle,” he told the podcast. “The only people who believe Satan exists are Christians. So it’s very funny when, of course, we get accused of believing and worshipping Satan, because that’s not true at all.”

Justice Martin Burns ruled the Temple had “no genuine connection to anything pertaining to a religion”.

“Mr Bristow’s attempt to obtain approval to deliver ‘Satanic’ religious instruction in state schools was nothing more glorified than a base political stunt,” he said.

“His persistence with that attempt through the medium of this proceeding has resulted in a deplorable waste of the resources of the state which had to be marshalled in opposition to the relief sought and the needless allocation of court time and resources to deal with it.”

Justice Burns said he had “no doubt” parts of Mr Bristow’s affidavit were “untrue”.

He gave Mr Bristow 14 days to show cause as to why his affidavits should not be referred to police of the Department of Public Prosecution.

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