TOPEKA (KSNT) - A controversial and highly-anticipated 'Black Mass' is set to take place at the Kansas Statehouse in the days ahead. But what will happen during it? 27 News reached out to Chris Jones, a Religious Studies professor at Washburn University, to help explain the 'what' and the 'why' o f the upcoming Black Mass. He said a Black Mass like the one being put on by the Satanic Grotto on Friday, March 28 is a way for modern-day Satanic groups to exercise their First Amendment Rights. "A way to get attention, it’s a way to have an impact, it’s a way to offend people," Jones said. Jones said if one of the goals of the Black Mass is to raise the profile of a group like the Satanic Grotto, then it can be an effective way to accomplish that. Since the Black Mass was announced, it has drawn widespread attention and condemnation from religious organizations like the Archdiocese of Kansas City for its alleged use of stolen communion hosts used during Catholic masses. The Kansas House of Representatives also passed a resolution on Thursday, March 20 criticizing the Black Mass at a vote of 101 to 15. Advocates fight to keep Kansas StarBase program alive after teachers put on unpaid leave "It’s not because they necessarily hate Christianity, it’s because they see Christianity as having this sort of dominant position in American society, and they want to challenge that," Jones said. Michael Stewart, founder and President of the Satanic Grotto, spoke with Nexstar’s Kansas Capitol Bureau on March 13. He called the Black Mass an "act of rebellion" to show lawmakers there are other religions and beliefs in the Sunflower State. Jones encourages people to find the facts before rushing to make a judgement call about someone else's religious beliefs. He said the Satanic Grotto may be trying to show people the First Amendment not only protects the beliefs of the majority, but also the minority of citizens. "When you’re looking at somebody else’s religion, somebody else’s culture, try to suspend judgement, in fact I will quote Ted Lasso, and say 'be curious, not judgmental'," Jones said. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said the Black Mass could go along as planned on March 28 but would have to take place outside the Statehouse building. Stewart said he is still looking to hold the ceremony inside the Statehouse despite this directive. Kansas gov. approves six new laws, including ‘Move Over’ law For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf ...read more read less