Satanic holiday celebration at Iowa Capitol 'forcibly canceled' by state, group says

[DooBi]

I remember when the state didn’t make decisions for people.
Do you know a lot of Satan worshippers?

I remember when I first learned about the First Amendment.

You have no idea what the Satanic Temple stands for. This would be horrifying for a child.

They have Satan in their name. Do you know what Satan represents? Of course you do. Some day you will learn what supporting Satan has gained for you. It isn't good.

 

[Bonerfarts]

They have Satan in their name. Do you know what Satan represents? Of course you do. Some day you will learn what supporting Satan has gained for you. It isn't good.

The greatest trick the devil ever played was having people support the state’s ability to take away its citizens religious rights.

 

[95Hawk]

They have Satan in their name. Do you know what Satan represents? Of course you do. Some day you will learn what supporting Satan has gained for you. It isn't good.

You’re a simpleton, right? The Satanic Temple uses Satan as a symbol.

Why are you so afraid of an expression of a symbol? Or such a fan of the state choosing which symbols are represented and which are suppressed?

It’s okay to admit that your view of the First Amendment is Christian-forward. I’ll accept that from you as misguided as it is

 

[DooBi]

You’re a simpleton, right? The Satanic Temple uses Satan as a symbol.

Why are you so afraid of an expression of a symbol? Or such a fan of the state choosing which symbols are represented and which are suppressed?

It’s okay to admit that your view of the First Amendment is Christian-forward. I’ll accept that from you as misguided as it is

Satan is already a symbol. You don't get to change the definition just because you want to. They could do all the wonderful things they claim to do without using Satan worship. It's stupid.

 

[95Hawk]

Satan is already a symbol. You don't get to change the definition just because you want to. They could do all the wonderful things they claim to do without using Satan worship. It's stupid.

Okay. It’s stupid. And it’s protected by the First Amendment. And the state doesn’t get to regulate it.

I think Jesus worship and adherence to a work of fiction is stupid. And that’s protected as well.

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

God you’re dumb

Not nearly as dumb as your “argument”.

 

[95Hawk]

I’ve attended Christmas services every year of my life, always in a church, never at the state Capitol, courthouse, or city hall, so your argument is fallacious in that regard alone. Then there’s the motive of the satanists, which is all about confronting Christianity and not about celebrating a legitimate religion. And lastly, there’s the secular objective perception of satanists as human eyesores, except by freakish abnormal people.

BTW, why are leftists always so eager to white knight for the prince of evil?

What’s a “legitimate religion”? And why does the state have a say in what is and what isn’t?

May I refer you to the First Amendment?

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

I remember when I first learned about the First Amendment.

You have no idea what the Satanic Temple stands for. This would be horrifying for a child.

Well. The name implies that the Satanic Temple stands for Satan, which is the prince of evil. Branding hatred of evil as bigotry is a really tough sell for anyone not on the spectrum.

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

What’s a “legitimate religion”? And why does the state have a say in what is and what isn’t?

1. Not Satanism.
2. The state doesn’t define it. Normal people do.

 

[Bonerfarts]

Well. The name implies that the Satanic Temple stands for Satan, which is the prince of evil. Branding hatred of evil as bigotry is a really tough sell for anyone not on the spectrum.

I’d argue the elimination of people’s freedom of religion - is evil. Having the state decide which religion we can and can’t support - is evil.

Why not keep religion and state seperate?

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

The pope put a ‘secular symbol’ in St Peter’s square.
He called it a ‘Christmas tree’!
Can you imagine anything so dumb?
What does ‘Christmas’ mean anyway? Sounds super secular.

And my church puts out poinsettias and wreaths, but these have nothing to do with religion. They’re just decoration. Like the pastel flowers we put out at Easter.

 

[95Hawk]

1. Not Satanism.
2. The state doesn’t define it. Normal people do.

That’s not how the First Amendment works. And - yes - the State of Iowa is defining it.

I’ll submit to you that individuals who pray to a sky fairy and worship his “son’s” birth and death/resurrection on historically pagan holidays are not normal.

Why should I have that say? Or you for that matter?

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

I’d argue the elimination of people’s freedom of religion - is evil. Having the state decide which religion we can and can’t support - is evil.

Why not keep religion and state seperate?

They’re still free to practice their do-called “religion”. They’re just not going to force it down people’s throats at the state Capitol.

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

That’s not how the First Amendment works. And - yes - the State of Iowa is defining it.

I’ll submit to you that individuals who pray to a sky fairy and worship his “son’s” birth and death/resurrection on historically pagan holidays are not normal.

Why should I have that say? Or you for that matter?

The overwhelming majority agree with me. In that regard, it’s merely a cultural norm. Not even a legal issue. Has nothing to do with the 1A, actually. But if you really feel that oppressed, maybe you and your ilk should go to war. Are you willing to die for your non-beliefs?

 

[95Hawk]

They’re still free to practice their do-called “religion”. They’re just not going to force it down people’s throats at the state Capitol.

Ah. So there you have it. It’s acceptable to have a Christian-forward take on the First Amendment because all those symbols aren’t “forcing” anything down people’s throats.

Another simpleton we got here.

 

[hawkedoff]

They are already represented by the Christianity on display.. Satanists are nothing more than Christians and as such their religion is already represented.

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

Ah. So there you have it. It’s acceptable to have a Christian-forward take on the First Amendment because all those symbols aren’t “forcing” anything down people’s throats.

Another simpleton we got here.

We’re not forcing anything down people’s throats. You just happen to live in an overwhelmingly Christian nation. It is unfortunate that that has your panties in a bunch, but it is not something that I will lose sleep over.

 

[Bonerfarts]

They’re still free to practice their do-called “religion”. They’re just not going to force it down people’s throats at the state Capitol.

Then don’t force Christianity down my throat at the capital. Freedom of speech/religion protects speech/religion that you don’t agree with.

 

[95Hawk]

We’re not forcing anything down people’s throats. You just happen to live in an overwhelmingly Christian nation. It is unfortunate that that has your panties in a bunch, but it is not something that I will lose sleep over.

It doesn’t matter what the cultural norms of this country are - or what you happen to believe.

It most certainly is a 1A issue but because it suits your side (in the case of Iowa), you’ll just continue to play dumb.

That Oklahoma education is doing wonders for ya.

 

[BonzoFury]

I remember when I first learned about the First Amendment.

You have no idea what the Satanic Temple stands for. This would be horrifying for a child.

Come on, man! The "Print Informational Pamphlet" button doesn't work!

 

[seminole97]

And my church puts out poinsettias and wreaths, but these have nothing to do with religion.

Do they put them out all the time, or have you picked up on a coincidence yet?

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

It doesn’t matter what the cultural norms of this country are - or what you happen to believe.

It most certainly is a 1A issue but because it suits your side (in the case of Iowa), you’ll just continue to play dumb.

That Oklahoma education is doing wonders for ya.

Nope. Not a 1A issue. Devil worships are free to worship the devil, they’re just not entitled to use the state Capitol as their venue to do so. 1A protects the right to worship, and the right to speak. It doesn’t grant anyone the right to be heard.

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

Do they put them out all the time, or have you picked up on a coincidence yet?

Now THAT is a dumb argument. The church is decorated in different styles for different seasons, however, the flora used are strictly for decoration and have no liturgical value. The building itself and the artwork contained therein are one big permanent symbol of Christ, so the seasonal decor really is irrelevant.

 

[95Hawk]

Nope. Not a 1A issue. Devil worships are free to worship the devil, they’re just not entitled to use the state Capitol as their venue to do so. 1A protects the right to worship, and the right to speak. It doesn’t grant anyone the right to be heard.

I’m gonna side with Jon Dunwell (R-Newton) who during last year’s controversy said:

“I don’t want the state evaluating and making determinations about religions. I am guided by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. … I would rather have an evil blasphemous display or no display at all than have the state dictate what they think is appropriate. Shocked so many want to give up their freedom so they don’t have to see a display they disagree with.”

Even the contemptuous governor of Iowa had this to say last year:

“Like many Iowans, I find the Satanic Temple’s display in the Capitol absolutely objectionable. In a free society, the best response to objectionable speech is more speech, and I encourage all those of faith to join me today in praying over the Capitol and recognizing the nativity scene that will be on display – the true reason for the season.”

Again: I’ll accept your response that you support a Christian-forward interpretation of the First Amendment - as misguided as it is. Anything else you have to contribute to the topic is blather.

 

[soonerinlOUisiana]

I’m gonna side with Jon Dunwell (R-Newton) who during last year’s controversy said:

“I don’t want the state evaluating and making determinations about religions. I am guided by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. … I would rather have an evil blasphemous display or no display at all than have the state dictate what they think is appropriate. Shocked so many want to give up their freedom so they don’t have to see a display they disagree with.”

Even the contemptuous governor of Iowa had this to say last year:

“Like many Iowans, I find the Satanic Temple’s display in the Capitol absolutely objectionable. In a free society, the best response to objectionable speech is more speech, and I encourage all those of faith to join me today in praying over the Capitol and recognizing the nativity scene that will be on display – the true reason for the season.”

Again: I’ll accept your response that you support a Christian-forward interpretation of the First Amendment - as misguided as it is. Anything else you have to contribute to the topic is blather.

Meh. The whole atheist/devil-worshipper BS is not even about freedom of religion. It’s about human eyesores seeking confrontation with normal people. It’s the epitome of blather.

 

[JimStarr777]

Iowa Republicans are Anti 1st Ammendment

No. We’re just anti-evil. It’s getting easier to discern which side is which.

 

[95Hawk]

Meh. The whole atheist/devil-worshipper BS is not even about freedom of religion. It’s about human eyesores seeking confrontation with normal people. It’s the epitome of blather.

And yet protected by 1A.

I think Christianity co-opting pagan holidays is an eyesore and is forcing a point of view on non-believers.

So who is right in this situation? Why is your voice (or those who support a Christian-forward interpretation of 1A) louder or more important than mine? Why does the state get to decide?

 

[JimStarr777]

And yet protected by 1A.

I think Christianity co-opting pagan holidays is an eyesore and is forcing a point of view on non-believers.

So who is right in this situation?

That’s easy. The side not openly cheering on evil.

 

[Dr. Spaceman]

They have Satan in their name. Do you know what Satan represents? Of course you do. Some day you will learn what supporting Satan has gained for you. It isn't good.

Was Satan the one that forced you to sell meth to kids?

 

[seminole97]

Now THAT is a dumb argument. The church is decorated in different styles for different seasons holidays,

FTFY

 

[95Hawk]

That’s easy. The side not openly cheering on evil.

Who gets to decide what’s evil? The state?

Another one I’ll put down as supporting a Christian-forward only interpretation of 1A. Thank Satan that the SCOTUS will back you up on this.

 

[OrlandNole]

Nope. Wrong, Buddy.

I don’t see any presentation or ceremony taking place. In fact, I don’t even see a Christian symbol. I see a secular symbol. Regardless, it’s a symbol of a national and state holiday. Maybe the devil worshippers should lobby for their own holiday.

I don't disagree, but try calling it a "holiday tree" and watch the Christian nationalists lose their minds over the "war on Christianity."

 

[JimStarr777]

Who gets to decide what’s evil? The state?

Another one I’ll put down as supporting a Christian-forward only interpretation of 1A. Thank Satan that the SCOTUS will back you up on this.

Do you believe there are universal “rights” and “wrongs”?

 

[Hbotus Dichotomous]

Do you believe there are universal “rights” and “wrongs”?

Answer: I do.

How has your relationship with God shaped you? Do you feel you are mostly successful in following his teachings when dealing with others?

 

[DFSNOLE]

Nope. Not a 1A issue. Devil worships are free to worship the devil, they’re just not entitled to use the state Capitol as their venue to do so. 1A protects the right to worship, and the right to speak. It doesn’t grant anyone the right to be heard.

Point out your contentions in the language. Would you feel the same way about a nativity scene?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 

[JimStarr777]

Point out your contentions in the language. Would you feel the same way about a nativity scene?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I think most of us just have a problem with blatantly open evil being celebrated.

 

[DFSNOLE]

I think most of us just have a problem with blatantly open evil being celebrated.

So, it starts with Satanism and moves straight to Islam, right? After all, the Koran calls for the death of all infidels.

 

[LunchBox50]

Then there’s the motive of the satanists, which is all about confronting Christianity and not about celebrating a legitimate religion.

BTW, why are leftists always so eager to white knight for the prince of evil?

You've basically described MAGA and its motives. It's not a political party or movement — it's about owning the libs above all else. It's grandiose trolling, just like the Satanic Temple folks are trolling Republicans at the Iowa Capitol.

BTW, why are conservatives always so eager to white knight for an amoral leader like Trump?

 

[JimStarr777]

So, it starts with Satanism and moves straight to Islam, right? After all, the Koran calls for the death of all infidels.

Project much? Lol

 

[DFSNOLE]

Project much? Lol

I want to know where it will end and who gets to make the decision.