Soles for satan

By John Lewis Wednesday, 29 March 2017

A Dunedin satanic organisation's campaign to collect warm clothes for disadvantaged people across New Zealand is being welcomed by some and leaving others hot under the collar.

Satanic New Zealand recently launched a ''Soles for Satan'' online page, which aims to buy new socks, hats, and warm clothing for people in homeless shelters and children living in poverty.

Organisation co-founder Frankie Vegas, of Dunedin, said poverty was a major issue in New Zealand and it was important people supported the fight against it.

''We just want to use what little influence we have, to help the community around us.''

The Dunedin business personal assistant said the religious organization wanted to help in the hope of becoming an official chapter of the Satanic Temple, which was established in the United States.

''They've done a few Socks for Satan campaigns, so we decided to bring it here.''

Miss Vegas said the clothing would be distributed to those in need across the country. There had already been a lot of support from Auckland residents and Dunedin businesses.

Soles for Satan was the group's first major campaign, and it hoped it would become an annual event.

Miss Vegas was surprised at the level of support the campaign had received, given the community perceived the organization as being the opposite of Christian organizations.

She hoped the campaign would help change people's views of Satanic New Zealand.

''We're not in any way anti-Christian; we're just pro-Satan,'' she said.

''I understand and appreciate some people do feel we are anti-Christian, but if people looked up what we do and what we actually stand for, they would have a much better understanding.''

The spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written or spoken word, she said.

''I hope people can look past the name of our group and judge us based on our actions.''

Surprisingly, the campaign is also getting support from some churches.

The Rev Frank Ritchie, of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, in Auckland, said he supported the campaign as a way of promoting public discussion.

He said Satanists often had ''humanistic'' views, and he urged people to be open-minded.

Family First director Bob McCoskrie was scathing of the idea. He said it was no different from a good cause promoted by gangs.

All clothes collected would be donated to KidsCan, Women's Refuge and homeless shelters.    ODT