“We received 350 e-mails on Wednesday. Most of them were spam, some of them we skimmed, but this one really stood out and required a response,” said Peter Gilmore, high priest of the Church of Satan.

"I thought it could be a joke, but with recent events in Colorado and Nebraska, I thought it was better to play it safe."

The email stated 18-year-old Andrew Culver's intentions to 'kill in the name of our unholy lord Satan.'

When questioned by local police, he claimed that it was all a 'joke.'

"To send an email making specific threats, to sign your name, that to me is not a joke," said Bazetta Township police Chief Charles Sayers.

Sayers claimed that Culver was arrogant during questioning and laughed openly at the police.

‘‘I didn’t detect any respect for authority,’’ he said.

The Church of Satan was founded in 1966 by Anton LeVay and has attracted devotees from all walks of life, including celebrities ranging from Sammy Davis Jr to Marilyn Manson.

LeVay eventually handed over control of the Church to Gilmore, the man responsible for alerting the FBI to Culver's death threats.

Culver is now in police custody whilst charges relating to the case are prepared.

During his incarceration, he may do well to use the time and study the Satanic creed with greater care.

The Church of Satan lists nine acts that it considers to be sins.

They include stupidity, lack of perspective, and counterproductive pride.