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Bolsover 'hotbed of Satanism' claims dismissed | Bolsover 'hotbed of Satanism' claims dismissed |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Satanists have dismissed claims that a Derbyshire district is a "hotbed of Satanism" or the "Satanic capital of Britain". | Satanists have dismissed claims that a Derbyshire district is a "hotbed of Satanism" or the "Satanic capital of Britain". |
In the most recent census, 17 people in Bolsover wrote Satanism as their religion. | In the most recent census, 17 people in Bolsover wrote Satanism as their religion. |
This suggested it had the highest concentration of Satanists in England and Wales. | This suggested it had the highest concentration of Satanists in England and Wales. |
But the Church of Satan believes many people had lied on their census forms because they "think it is funny". | |
Priestess Serena Malone, administrator for the Church of Satan, said: "We tend to think someone is playing a prank here. | Priestess Serena Malone, administrator for the Church of Satan, said: "We tend to think someone is playing a prank here. |
"While we have many members throughout the UK, that area does not have any exceptional concentration of our adherents." | "While we have many members throughout the UK, that area does not have any exceptional concentration of our adherents." |
The Church of Satan said it does not give out statistics on where its members are based, because "many bigoted people still see us as some form of threat". | |
'No Satanic activity' | 'No Satanic activity' |
The organisation was established in San Francisco in 1966, and says its members are atheists and do not worship the devil. | |
However, Satanism is a broad term and many other people may identify as being Satanists. | However, Satanism is a broad term and many other people may identify as being Satanists. |
Bolsover District Council also believes the census results are not reliable. | |
Ken Walker, chairman of the council, said he had not heard of Satanic activity in the area. | |
"There's the usual traditional harvest festivals or flower festival, but that's more or less a fundraising job for the churches," he said. | "There's the usual traditional harvest festivals or flower festival, but that's more or less a fundraising job for the churches," he said. |
"I think it's a load of rubbish." | "I think it's a load of rubbish." |
A total of 1,893 people wrote Satanism as their religion in the 2011 census. | A total of 1,893 people wrote Satanism as their religion in the 2011 census. |
In Bristol, 34 people said Satanism was their religion - the highest number out of anywhere in England and Wales. | In Bristol, 34 people said Satanism was their religion - the highest number out of anywhere in England and Wales. |
However, Bristol has a higher population than Bolsover, so the concentration was lower. | However, Bristol has a higher population than Bolsover, so the concentration was lower. |
Derbyshire Constabulary said it was not aware of any incidents reported in Bolsover - or anywhere else - which could be connected to Satanism. | Derbyshire Constabulary said it was not aware of any incidents reported in Bolsover - or anywhere else - which could be connected to Satanism. |