Suspect charged with hate crime for destroying Satanic Temple display at Iowa Capitol

[who r u]

They're not actually Satanists. They don't believe in Satan at all and they are very clear about that fact. They're trolling Christians by using Satanic imagery because they know that evokes a response.

I'm not sure how it can be argued that Cassidy was targeting them based on their religion when they don't have a religion. He destroyed their property and he should compensate them for it and he deserves to be punished for destroying their property. But I don't see how it can be argued that this qualifies as a hate crime.

there is no argument, they are a religion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Temple

Tax-exempt status[edit]​

On April 25, 2019, the Temple announced it had received tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, being classified as a "church or a convention or association of churches."[36] The Satanic Temple had previously been reluctant to pursue tax-exempt status until the Johnson Amendment was weakened by an executive order "Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty" signed by President Trump in May 2017, which TST viewed as unfairly giving higher status to religious individuals.[37]

Announcing the new tax status co-founder Lucien Greaves stated: "In light of theocratic assaults upon the Separation of Church and State in the legislative effort to establish a codified place of privilege for one religious viewpoint, we feel that accepting religious tax exemption — rather than renouncing in protest — can help us to better assert our claims to equal access and exemption while laying to rest any suspicion that we don’t meet the qualifications of a true religious organization. Satanism is here to stay."[38]


what kind of anti-american are you?

 

[TJ8869]

what kind of anti-american are you?

The kind who is able to recognize when someone isn’t really a ‘victim’ at all but in fact got exactly what they were hoping to get.

 

[hawkbirch]

Why do say that?

Because it’s true

 

[runkpanole]

The kind who is able to recognize when someone isn’t really a ‘victim’ at all but in fact got exactly what they were hoping to get.

Doesn’t matter. They are recognized as a religion and homie traveled across state lines to destroy property because he disagreed with their message. He’s a Christian terrorist.

 

[TJ8869]

Doesn’t matter. They are recognized as a religion and homie traveled across state lines to destroy property because he disagreed with their message. He’s a Christian terrorist.

They’re a ‘religion’ that openly acknowledges they don’t believe their own ‘religion’. They’re a ‘religion’ strictly on paper for the purpose of being tax-exempt.

Homeboy knocked over their statue. That makes him a vandal, not a terrorist.

 

[globalhawk]

Satanism, the worship or veneration of Satan, a figure from Christian belief who is also commonly known as the Devil or Lucifer. For most of Christian history, accusations that groups have been deliberately worshipping the Devil have been spurious, with little or no basis in reality. However, from at least the 20th century, various new religions have emerged whose followers openly identify as Satanists or Luciferians. Their reasons for doing so, along with the nature of their beliefs and practices, vary considerably.

Satanism | Definition, Beliefs, Symbols, & Anton LaVey | Britannica

Satanism, the worship or veneration of Satan, a figure from Christian belief who is also commonly known as the Devil or Lucifer. For most of Christian history, accusations that groups have been deliberately worshipping the Devil have been spurious, with little or no basis in reality. However, from

www.britannica.com

What does this have to with anyone. Is it a religion and protected or no?

 

[globalhawk]

They’re a ‘religion’ that openly acknowledges they don’t believe their own ‘religion’. They’re a ‘religion’ strictly on paper for the purpose of being tax-exempt.

Homeboy knocked over their statue. That makes him a vandal, not a terrorist.

This is vintage TJ.

 

[runkpanole]

They’re a ‘religion’ that openly acknowledges they don’t believe their own ‘religion’. They’re a ‘religion’ strictly on paper for the purpose of being tax-exempt.

Homeboy knocked over their statue. That makes him a vandal, not a terrorist.

Committing a crime against someone based on their religious beliefs makes them a terrorist in my book. I hope he enjoys Gen pop.

 

[TJ8869]

Committing a crime against someone based on their religious beliefs makes them a terrorist in my book. I hope he enjoys Gen pop.

You guys sure do love your hyperbole.

 

[wausauhawk]

The Satanic Temple is far from religious.

So are most Christians in the public eye.

 

[Firekirknow]

He traveled across state lines with the intent to terrorize a religious group. Sounds pretty bad to me. What will he do next?

 

[auntie_fah]

Another republican man who cant control his emotions.

Sad.

 

[globalhawk]

You guys sure do love your hyperbole.

And you like laws enforced by your beliefs.

 

[pablow]

Per Jeff Angelo, Need To Know, 1040 WHO radio, the Polk County Attorney is "Soros funded" and "leftwing in their views".

She received Soros money and she is left leaning, but she's no nut. The Polk County Attorney's Office is still very tough on crime.

Her most radical policy is a diversion program for people charged with their first marijuana possession. And, even then the defendant has to obtain a substance abuse evaluation and complete any recommended treatment before the case is dismissed.

She is very well liked by the career prosecutors and police. She's doing a good job.

 

[TJ8869]

terrorist.

terrorize

 

[runkpanole]

You guys sure do love your hyperbole.

And you sure do love defending the indefensible.

 

[NorthernHawkeye]

She received Soros money and she is left leaning, but she's no nut. The Polk County Attorney's Office is still very tough on crime.

Her most radical policy is a diversion program for people charged with their first marijuana possession. And, even then the defendant has to obtain a substance abuse evaluation and complete any recommend treatment before the case is dismissed.

She is very well liked by the career prosecutors and police. She's doing a good job.

That's good to hear. I recall this exchange a while back.

Vote Kimberly Graham

Hard pass. Some of her positions indicate that she has no clue what the position requires and our community can't take that risk. It's too bad because she has some good goals I

Bidding to replace retiring three-decade incumbent, Polk County attorney candidates detail positions, plans

3 dems, all Drake grads. 1 Republican. Republicans stand no chance in Polk County. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/05/08/polk-county-attorney-candidates-des-moines-iowa-protests-trafficking-reform/9538329002/

iowa.forums.rivals.com

 

[who r u]

They’re a ‘religion’ that openly acknowledges they don’t believe their own ‘religion’.

why do you keep saying this?
is it that they have the word satanic in their name and are not Satan worshipers?
do you think that they dont believe in their own fundamental tenets?

will you please enlighten us all with your definition of what is and isnt a religion?

 

[TJ8869]

why do you keep saying this?
is it that they have the word satanic in their name and are not Satan worshipers?
do you think that they dont believe in their own fundamental tenets?

will you please enlighten us all with your definition of what is and isnt a religion?

Step one is you have to believe the namesake deity of your 'religion' actually exists. Or at least did exist at one time. The Satanic Temple has been very clear that they don't believe Satan exists. They are merely trolling Christians. Wouldn't you roll your eyes at someone who calls himself a Christian if he emphatically denies that Christ exists?

Most of the members of the Satanic Temple, as far as I can tell, are atheists. Many of the atheists on this board have argued multiple times that atheism is not a religion. As @What Would Jesus Do? once pointed out, claiming that atheism is a religion is like claiming that 'off' is a tv channel.

There's nothing wrong with their fundamental tenets, but they're really more of a moral code than a 'religion'.

 

[globalhawk]

Step one is you have to believe the namesake deity of your 'religion' actually exists. Or at least did exist at one time. The Satanic Temple has been very clear that they don't believe Satan exists. They are merely trolling Christians. Wouldn't you roll your eyes at someone who calls himself a Christian if he emphatically denies that Christ exists?

Most of the members of the Satanic Temple, as far as I can tell, are atheists. Many of the atheists on this board have argued multiple times that atheism is not a religion. As @What Would Jesus Do? once pointed out, claiming that atheism is a religion is like claiming that 'off' is a tv channel.

There's nothing wrong with their fundamental tenets, but they're really more of a moral code than a 'religion'.

It's a religion.

 

[TJ8869]

It's a religion.

If they actually were Satanists, that would be different. If they actually believed in Satan then you would have a point. If they actually believed in Baphomet and set up the statue of Baphomet for the purpose of honoring Baphomet, and someone knocked down that statue, then you could argue that person infringed on their religious expression. You could argue that was a legitimate hate crime.

But if you don't believe in Baphomet and you put up a statute of Baphomet simply to agitate Christians, and some Christian knocks down your Baphomet statue, then they have damaged your property and owe you compensation. But they have not infringed on your religious beliefs and they are not a 'terrorist'.

 

[globalhawk]

If they actually were Satanists, that would be different. If they actually believed in Satan then you would have a point. If they actually believed in Baphomet and set up the statue of Baphomet for the purpose of honoring Baphomet, and someone knocked down that statue, then you could argue that person infringed on their religious expression. You could argue that was a legitimate hate crime.

But if you don't believe in Baphomet and you put up a statute of Baphomet simply to agitate Christians, and some Christian knocks down your Baphomet statue, then they have damaged your property and owe you compensation. But they have not infringed on your religious beliefs and they are not a 'terrorist'.

Is it a religion according to our government or not? You don't get to decide.

 

[TJ8869]

Is it a religion according to our government or not? You don't get to decide.

If they did in fact obtain tax-exempt status with the IRS then they did so with a fraudulent application. Claiming to worship a deity that you openly acknowledge doesn't exist should not be worthy of protected status.

 

[globalhawk]

If they did in fact obtain tax-exempt status with the IRS then they did so with a fraudulent application. Claiming to worship a deity that you openly acknowledge doesn't exist should not be worthy of protected status.

Is it a recognized religion by the United States government? Yes or no?

 

[runkpanole]

If they did in fact obtain tax-exempt status with the IRS then they did so with a fraudulent application. Claiming to worship a deity that you openly acknowledge doesn't exist should not be worthy of protected status.

I can hardly wait for their arrest.

 

[TJ8869]

Is it a recognized religion by the United States government? Yes or no?

Is fraud legal? Yes or no?

 

[globalhawk]

Is fraud legal? Yes or no?

You won't answer the question. Is it a recognized religion by the United States government?

 

[globalhawk]

Is fraud legal? Yes or no?

Fraud. No. How is it fraud?

 

[ConvenientParking]

Thread is TLDR. Just on the surface thinking he did this as publicity for his run for office and not because of a sincere bigotry against Satanists like I'd guess he has with Muslims and probably also Jews (which he would not dare act on in this manner), it seems to cheapen the idea of a hate crime. I'm all for throwing the book at this guy for vandalism and whatever else might apply and would be fine with the people who participated in this display suing him civilly. Not sure if I understand characterizing this as a hate crime unless there's really evidence of something like the guy being up on the latest chain emails about Satanist no-go zones in big cities and how we get Satanic sharia if immigration pushes the Satanic population to 2% of the total population.

 

[DooBi]

You guys do know that they don't actually worship Satan, right?

But people do actually worship God which is why what these people do is extremely hateful and disrespectful.

That said, who gives a shit if they put up a statue. They got exactly the response they were looking for. Plenty of stupidity all around this story.

 

[DooBi]

This country is getting worse every day.

Talk about FAFO. These folks are going to be very surprised when the time comes. Probably sooner rather than later for the gentleman on the left.

 

[globalhawk]

But people do actually worship God which is why what these people do is extremely hateful and disrespectful.

That said, who gives a shit if they put up a statue. They got exactly the response they were looking for. Plenty of stupidity all around this story.

So if someone believes in a different god they are extremely hateful and disrespectful?

 

[DooBi]

So if someone believes in a different god they are extremely hateful and disrespectful?

Is that what I said? Read what I quoted. Then read what I wrote.

 

[McLovin32]

But people do actually worship God which is why what these people do is extremely hateful and disrespectful.

Pointing out hypocrisy is not hateful or disrespectful.

 

[Dr. Spaceman]

You won't answer the question. Is it a recognized religion by the United States government?

You’re not going to get an answer. He’s gone full TJ already.

 

[globalhawk]

Is that what I said? Read what I quoted. Then read what I wrote.

You seem to believe that if someone expresses a belief against your God it is hateful and disrespectful.

 

[globalhawk]

You’re not going to get an answer. He’s gone full TJ already.

It's entertaining.

 

[ConvenientParking]

Is that what I said? Read what I quoted. Then read what I wrote.

They aren't doing what they're doing because people believe in God. They're doing it because people who believe in God actively work to get restrictive laws passed based on their religious faith (or for their private institutions to take taxpayer money without public oversight) which the Satanic Temple people disagree with. Something like school vouchers are worse than "disrespectful" to a nonbeliever who was educated in a state that made education the theme of their state quarter only 20 years ago. They're materially harmful to the public schools they want to send their kids to. One simple to conceive reason people participate in this that isn't about being rude to believers.

 

[lucas80]

Well, first we need to know what you believe it's insinuating

Be specific.

 

[lucas80]

That's good to hear. I recall this exchange a while back.

Bidding to replace retiring three-decade incumbent, Polk County attorney candidates detail positions, plans

3 dems, all Drake grads. 1 Republican. Republicans stand no chance in Polk County. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/05/08/polk-county-attorney-candidates-des-moines-iowa-protests-trafficking-reform/9538329002/

iowa.forums.rivals.com

What are you insinuating?