According to BBC News, the British Armed forces has given permission for 24 year old Chris Cranmer to officially register as a ‘Satanist’, which will allow Mr. Cranmer, a Naval Technician, to perform 'satanic rituals' on board Naval vessels.

Mr. Cranmer says that he became a Satanist around nine years ago, after reading a copy of “The Satanic Bible” by Anton Szandor LaVey, who founded the Church Of Satan in San Francisco in 1966 (and remained its' high priest until his death in 1997).

Church of Satan followers live by the ‘Nine Satanic Statements’, which include "indulgence instead of abstinence", "vengeance instead of turning the other cheek" and "(committing) all of the so-called sins, as they all lead to physical, mental, or emotional gratification".

Mr. Cranmer, who is from Edinburgh, is now lobbying the Ministry of Defence to make Satanism a registered religion in the armed forces, with a spokesman for the Royal Navy saying that “We are an equal opportunities employer and we don't stop anybody from having their own religious values."

Former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe said she was "utterly shocked" by the Royal Navy's decision, stating that "Satanism is wrong. Obviously the private beliefs of individuals anywhere, including the armed forces, are their own affair but I hope it doesn't spread".

She added that "The Royal Navy should not permit Satanist practices on board its ships. God himself gives free will, but I would like to think that if somebody applied to the Navy and said they were a Satanist today it would raise its eyebrows somewhat" .

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