Residents sharply criticize county for allowing a satanic invocation; officials say process is application‑based

A number of Washoe County residents used the public‑comment period on Aug. 25 to object to an invocation delivered earlier in the meeting by a representative identified as from "Reno Satanic." Commenters described the invocation as offensive and urged the commission to stop scheduling such invocations. Several speakers connected the invocation rhetorically to recent wildfires and other misfortunes; others defended the legal right of diverse groups to request an invocation slot.

Multiple speakers invoked religious language to criticize the choice of invocation speaker. One commenter said, "Satanism is not a religion... it's a death cult," while another urged commissioners to "reexamine your calling of Satanist to do the invocation." Other residents asked the board to return to more traditional invocations and to be mindful of community sensibilities.

Several commissioners responded during the meeting. Chair Andriola and County Manager Kate Thomas said the invocation process operates through a public application and vetting process and that no board member or staff person individually "invited" the speaker. Nathaniel Phillips — a public commenter who later spoke in favor of religious freedom — urged accuracy and emphasized that the group applied through the public invocation process.

The exchange illustrated a strong emotional reaction among residents to religious language in government meetings. Commissioners declined to change the invocation policy during the meeting; multiple speakers requested the board consider procedural changes for how opening invocations are selected in the future.