Local

Man sues Lake County to allow satanic prayer at commission meetings

TAVARES, Fla. — A South Florida man wants change in Lake County, even though he doesn’t live there.

Chaz Stevens is suing the county government because it rejected his request to lead a satanic prayer at its commission meetings.

Stevens, who’s an atheist, said his agenda isn’t so much about promoting satanic prayer as it is about equality.

“I'm not a devil worshipper,” Stevens said. “This is flat out about religious freedom, what one group can or can't say or force the other group to do.”

Of the 18 guest invocations already allowed at commission meetings this year, only four were delivered by non-Christian or secular groups -- an invite limited to county residents.

Chairman Jimmy Conner said the commission isn't backing down.

“When is enough enough?” Conner said. “It's just way over the top. It's just another example of what's wrong with America today.”

The Liberty Council said Wednesday it will provide the county legal defense.

In a letter to the commission, Stevens said he’ll also fulfill any residency requirement by becoming a write-in candidate for Conner’s long-held seat.