According to a report by Fox News, Sarah Trone Garriott, a Lutheran minister and politician now running for Congress, is facing backlash after recounting her involvement in a wedding ceremony for a Satanist couple.
In a 2023 speech highlighted by Fox News, Garriott described what she called her “first wedding,” explaining how the couple—who identified as Satanists—approached the church believing they needed a religious ceremony despite not sharing Christian beliefs.
Recounting the moment, she said the couple “…could barely stand us. They didn’t believe in or really have any respect for what mattered to us.”
Yet, the church still chose to proceed with the ceremony. Garriott added that she participated by reading Scripture, including the well-known passage from 1 Corinthians 13: “Love is patient; love is kind.”
Dispute Over Her Role
The controversy has intensified as questions swirl about how involved Garriott truly was. Critics argue her own words suggest she played a significant role in the ceremony, while her campaign has pushed back.
Her team noted that she was acting under the direction of a supervising pastor. They also emphasized that she did not control who entered the church or the decisions leadership made regarding the ceremony.
A Biblical Line Between Light and Darkness
Scripture draws a clear distinction when it comes to spiritual alignment. In 2 Corinthians 6:14, the apostle Paul asks, “What fellowship can light have with darkness?”—a foundational principle that has guided Christian discernment for generations.
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Jesus consistently engaged with those outside the faith, but His interactions were rooted in transformation, not affirmation of practices that stood in opposition to God’s truth.
Marriage, in particular, carries profound spiritual weight. It is not merely a cultural tradition or symbolic act—it is a covenant established by God. A binding, spiritual union that reflects agreement, alignment and sacred commitment.
Participation in a marriage ceremony is not neutral. To take part in one is to stand in agreement with the spiritual foundation of that union.
This is what makes the situation so significant. While engaging with people of different beliefs is part of the gospel call, participating in a covenantal act rooted in conflicting spiritual frameworks is a line in the sand that Christians must draw.
In a culture that increasingly blurs spiritual lines, moments like this serve as a reminder of the importance of discernment. Believers are called to love boldly—but also to remain anchored in the truth of Scripture.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
