Torrington Flag Fight: Satanology Challenges Christian Display

Chaz Stevens, CLE Faculty.
May 21, 2025
Torrington Flag Fight: Satanology Challenges Christian Display
Torrington, Connecticut, is facing a First Amendment challenge after flying a Christian flag at City Hall. Activist Chaz Stevens, founder of the Church of Satanology and Perpetual Soirée, has requested that his organization’s flag also be flown. Citing the 2022 Supreme Court case Shurtleff v. Boston, Stevens argues that once a city permits one religious flag, it cannot deny others

by Chaz Stevens, CLE Faculty

Torrington Flag Fight: Satanology Challenges Christian Display

Torrington, Connecticut, is facing a First Amendment challenge after flying a Christian flag at City Hall. Activist Chaz Stevens, founder of the Church of Satanology and Perpetual Soirée, has requested that his organization’s flag also be flown. Citing the 2022 Supreme Court case Shurtleff v. Boston, Stevens argues that once a city permits one religious flag, it cannot deny others without violating the Constitution. Wikipedia+2CT Insider+2The Register Citizen+2CT Insider+4CT Insider+4The Register Citizen+4

In response, Torrington officials are considering revising city ordinances to limit flag displays to only federal and state-recognized flags, potentially excluding both the Christian and Satanology flags. City Council member Stephan Ivain noted that the current ordinances do not adequately address such requests and that changes are necessary to maintain the separation of church and state. The Register Citizen

Stevens has also sent similar flag requests to Hartford, New Britain, Waterbury, and Bridgeport, all of which have recently flown Christian flags. He threatens legal action if his requests are denied, emphasizing that his efforts aim to uphold constitutional principles rather than promote any religious belief. CT Insider+8CT Insider+8The Register Citizen+8

Mayor Elinor Carbone maintains that the City Hall flagpole is not a public forum and that the Christian flag was flown to honor the city’s historical founding by the First Congregational Church. However, without updated ordinances, the city may be vulnerable to legal challenges regarding religious expression on public property. CT Insider+2The Register Citizen+2The Register Citizen+2

This situation underscores the complexities municipalities face in balancing historical acknowledgments with constitutional mandates for religious neutrality in public spaces.

Read the story here.

About the Author
Image
Chaz Stevens is the founder of REVOLT Training and a longtime public-records strategist focused on forcing accountability through process, not protest. His work has triggered policy reversals, criminal prosecutions, and national media coverage by weaponizing bureaucracy, public records laws, and First Amendment doctrine against institutional dysfunction.

Learn more about him on Wikipedia.

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Anna Eskamani, Florida State Representative

"Satan Loves the First Amendment. Broward Schools Didn’t."


"The Church of Satanology, run by the Ministry of Chaz the Bropostle, is a more political, constitution-based effort than it is an actual religion. "

Lianna Norman, USA Today

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"It’s a form of protest so ridiculous, it could actually work — and we would expect nothing else from a Florida guy [...] who’s back for a second round — and ready to mess with Texas."

Riya Misra, The Barbed Wire

"Council Braces for Flag Lawsuit Showdown."


"I think [Church of Satanology] is just nudging us to make the correct separation of church and state."

Torrington, CT City Council member Stephan Ivain

"The Law is on His Side."


“This letter was sent to poke the city in the eye for its poor choices ... [Chaz] knows what he's doing and the law is on his side.”

Attorney and Hartford, CT councilmen Joshua Michtom

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Stevens said, "We are there smiling and taking pictures and it’s the absolute essence of our constitutional rights. Plus we’ll have a good time.”

Kimberly Leopard, Politico

“Provocative Activism That Gets Results Beyond Lawsuits.”


"As someone who has covered church/state separation for decades, I know that it's not always enough to make speeches or file lawsuits. Sometimes, you just need to grab the public's attention. No one does that better than Chaz Stevens."

"Yes, he's provocative. Yes, he can be abrasive. Yes, he often rubs traditionalists the wrong way."

"But here's the thing: He gets results. He demands attention through his unique brand of clever, funny, effective activism. That kind of public spotlight on a story can often do more than an entire cadre of lawyers. "

Hemant Mehta, editor of FriendlyAtheist.com

“Chaz Stevens Weaponizes Bureaucracy for Change.”


"As a media disrupter, guerrilla marketer, and all-around political gadfly, Chaz Stevens personifies John Lewis' idea of 'Good Trouble.' Few in Florida know more about weaponizing governmental bureaucracy to achieve tangible positive results."

"South Florida politicos have long admired (or feared) his sharp wit, savvy and doggedness — now, Chaz can show you the best, most effective way to get s**t done."

Phil Ammann, Journalist, Florida Politics

"A Relentless, Fearless, and Brilliantly Satirical Force."


"His unique brand of activism - equal parts performance art and legal precision has led to tangible change: public displays removed, policies reevaluated, and a growing awareness of the need for true governmental neutrality in matters of religion.”

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Anne Geggis, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist

"Sends Politicians Packing."


"There are those who don't know Chaz and those he sent to jail."

Aaron Nevins, GOP Consultant

"Diligent and Brutally Passionate."


"His pursuit of truth is intense and motivated. Love him or hate him, you must respect his work ethic and focus."

Commissioner Michael Udine, Broward County

"Disruption Isn’t Just Necessary—It’s Democratic."


"Chaz Stevens has always embodied a fearless, in-your-face style of activism that cuts through noise and demands attention. His work isn’t just provocative—it’s purposeful. Whether he’s challenging government hypocrisy, exposing corruption, or pushing the boundaries of free expression, Chaz does so with biting humor and unapologetic urgency."

"What makes Chaz especially powerful is that his activism forces people to think—about power dynamics, institutional contradictions, and our collective responsibility to speak out. He doesn’t just push the envelope; he sets it on fire to make his point."

"In Florida, where critical voices are often silenced and sanitized, Chaz Stevens is a powerful reminder that disruption isn’t just necessary—it’s democratic."

Anna Eskamani, Florida State Representative

"Satan Loves the First Amendment. Broward Schools Didn’t."


"The Church of Satanology, run by the Ministry of Chaz the Bropostle, is a more political, constitution-based effort than it is an actual religion."

Lianna Norman, USA Today

"Council Braces for Flag Lawsuit Showdown."


"I think [Church of Satanology] is just nudging us to make the correct separation of church and state."

Torrington, CT City Council member Stephan Ivain

"The Law is on His Side."


“This letter was sent to poke the city in the eye for its poor choices ... [Chaz] knows what he's doing and the law is on his side.”

Attorney and Hartford, CT councilmen Joshua Michtom

"Stop Flag Propaganda."


"To help save it from itself, Connecticut could use a few more gadflies like T. Chaz Stevens."

Chris Powell, Columnist, CT Examiner

"It’s peaceful, it’s not violent."


"CHAZ STEVENS, the leader of Revolt Training, is heading out to Fort Lauderdale with 11 other protestors to — wait for it — wear inflatable male genitalia costumes paired with masks of Trump’s face."

Stevens said, "We are there smiling and taking pictures and it’s the absolute essence of our constitutional rights. Plus we’ll have a good time.”

Kimberly Leopard, Politico

“Provocative Activism That Gets Results Beyond Lawsuits.”


"As someone who has covered church/state separation for decades, I know that it's not always enough to make speeches or file lawsuits. Sometimes, you just need to grab the public's attention. No one does that better than Chaz Stevens."

"Yes, he's provocative. Yes, he can be abrasive. Yes, he often rubs traditionalists the wrong way."

"But here's the thing: He gets results. He demands attention through his unique brand of clever, funny, effective activism. That kind of public spotlight on a story can often do more than an entire cadre of lawyers. "

Hemant Mehta, editor of FriendlyAtheist.com

“Chaz Stevens Weaponizes Bureaucracy for Change.”


"As a media disrupter, guerrilla marketer, and all-around political gadfly, Chaz Stevens personifies John Lewis' idea of 'Good Trouble.' Few in Florida know more about weaponizing governmental bureaucracy to achieve tangible positive results."

"South Florida politicos have long admired (or feared) his sharp wit, savvy and doggedness — now, Chaz can show you the best, most effective way to get s**t done."

Phil Ammann, Journalist, Florida Politics

"A Relentless, Fearless, and Brilliantly Satirical Force."


"His unique brand of activism - equal parts performance art and legal precision has led to tangible change: public displays removed, policies reevaluated, and a growing awareness of the need for true governmental neutrality in matters of religion.”

Sharon Baron, editor of ParklandTalk.com

"A Relentless, Fearless, and Brilliantly Satirical Force."


"Chaz Stevens doesn’t care about you or your feelings because he’s defending the U.S. Constitution."

"And he’ll go to the mat to keep it unsullied by those who seek to defile it in the name of any agenda."

Anne Geggis, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist

"Sends Politicians Packing."


"There are those who don't know Chaz and those he sent to jail."

Aaron Nevins, GOP Consultant

"Diligent and Brutally Passionate."


"His pursuit of truth is intense and motivated. Love him or hate him you must respect his work ethic and focus."

Commissioner Michael Udine, Broward County

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