Satanism is not evil, says activist

A Johannesburg, Mayfair, human rights activist, Mohamed Fayzal Mahamed, has petitioned the Human Rights Commission (HRC) to bring the MEC for education in Gauteng to task for "damning" statements on Satanists and occultists.

MEC Barbara Creecy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Gauteng department of education and Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) last Monday, at the Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance in Johannesburg.

"The aim of the meeting was for the department to partner with FBOs to support schools in addressing issues of learning and teaching, learner discipline, and spiritual disturbances, including Satanism and the occult at schools," said Gauteng education spokesman, Charles Phahlane.

Mahamed, however, felt the MEC's comments on Satanism and occultism were "grossly irresponsible".

"How could Creecy have formulated a MoU with faith-based Christian and Muslim organisations to combat, among other things, the rise of Satanism and occultism with school children?

"The MoU together with Creecy's statements violates three basic principles of the constitution concerning equality, freedom of expression and religious observance in schools," he said.

Mahamed, an atheist, said South Africans are against "harmful religious rituals" practiced by a few individuals, but Creecy should have roped in the religious leaders of Satanism and occultism to advise on how to curb these practices.

"I wrote to the HRC with the aim of getting an apology from Creecy for her comments and, possibly, to review the MoU to include input by various religious groups, including satanists, pagans and witches."

Mahamed said he was aware of the impact Satanic rituals have had on pupils at various schools around the country, but the religion should not be painted as "evil" because of a few who falter at practicing the principals of their religion.

Creecy said the antiharmful religious practice strategy would protect pupils from spiritual attacks and abuse. She later came under fire by the South African Pagan Rights Alliance (Sapra), who also lodged a hate speech complaint against her with the HRC.

It was reported last week that Sapra's members - many of whom are practising occultists - were concerned their children could be victimised by teachers as a result of the proposed harmful practices policy, said Sapra director Damon Leff .

Spokesman for the HRC Isaac Mangena said the commission has received several complaints regarding Creecy's alleged utterances.

"We are assessing these complaints and we will advise on how we proceed," said Mangena.

Phahlane said the department was waiting for the HRC to contact their office and that they would be willing to cooperate with the investigation.