SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) - The hexorcism took place on the west side of the California Capitol, under the shade of a nearby tree.

Rob the Impaler, with Satanic NorCal, performed the ceremony on three participants on Thursday. It's the opposite of an exorcism, Rob said earlier. Instead of casting out spirits, it invites them in.

"Satan, you are not refused here," Rob said. "You are not exorcized. You are hexorcized."  

Moments earlier, explaining the ceremony, Rob called it symbolic. The group doesn't believe in a Christian God or devil. Instead, Satan is the embodiment of a social adversary, or "the other," as one attendee called it. His group focuses on sharing knowledge, performing community works and making their beliefs more visible while challenging misconceptions.

The event, attended by a handful of people, occurred on the National Day of Prayer. On the Capitol's east side, dozens of people gathered for an event hosted by the California Family Council.

The council in an online announcement about the National Day of Prayer pointed to the Satanic NorCal gathering, calling it an attempt to confuse and deceive. On Thursday, council President Jonathan Keller said the other group was performing an observance with speeches and rituals.

"Make no mistake," Keller said. "This is not just some attention-seeking activists who are making a political statement over there. This is emblematic of the coordinated, spiritual assault we are seeing throughout our state."

As Keller spoke, someone at the Satanic NorCal gathering started a bubble machine.

The bubbles wafted through the air as Rob began the formal ceremony. He told the handful of attendees that they were free of faith but had hope for the future. When they faced moments of uncertainty, they looked to their own courage, compassion and "badassery."

Many attendees opted against giving their names or used a preferred name. Vana spoke to the group about a roller derby group she formed - The Skatetanic Temple - because she wanted a place where people could find joy, strength and family.

Vana had a church community in her home state but reevaluated her religion during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, she missed the sense of community her former church provided. That led to the creation of the roller derby team, a sport she said already has an edgy/alternative vibe.

"In today's world, we need to create the communities we want to be a part of," Vana said.

Sharing core tenets with Satanic NorCal, the roller derby team allows anyone to participate. Vana emphasized her group's welcoming attitude toward trans athletes.

People should have the freedom to do what they want, but they shouldn't be able to infringe on others' rights, she added.

"Hail roller derby and hail yourself," she told attendees during her formal speech.

At one point, a passerby began arguing with attendees of the Satanic NorCal gathering. He professed Christian beliefs as Satanic NorCal members made counterarguments.

Vana said she didn't like the proselytization.

"We're standing around, sitting around, having conversations in the shade," Vana said. "Not approaching people who don't want to speak to me.

"We don't have the need to be a part of something like that," she added.

On the east side of the Capitol, Keller argued that some state policymakers were sexualizing children and calling it "inclusive" and referring to biblical truth as "hateful." Satanic NorCal, he said, was an example of a growing boldness of people rejecting the faith.

"We are also standing firm against those who mock the one true God," Keller said, adding later: "We are seeing darkness called light."

About 15 minutes later, the hexorcism began.

One participant jokingly convulsed as Rob marked his throat. Another showed mock shock when someone said she had "grace."

"My favorite part is how not serious it is," Vana said.

Source: Courthouse News Service