Move over, Christmas tree and Menorah. It's time to make room for Satan.
The Satanic Temple has earned a spot in the Illinois Capitol rotunda holiday display, where it has erected a 4 1/2-foot-tall sculpture depicting its own religious message. The sculpture features an extended forearm of a young woman wrapped in a coiled snake, apple in hand, called "Knowledge is the Greatest Gift."
According to its creators, the sculpture represents the biblical story of Adam and Eve, who eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden against God's orders and at the devil's insistence.
"We see Satan as a hero in that story, of course, spreading knowledge," explains Satanic Temple chapter leader and spokesman Lex Manticore. "It's the greatest individual pursuit of bettering yourself, and we believe that you should basically act with the best scientific understanding of the world when you make decisions."
Despite objections from religious groups, First Amendment protections mean state officials had no choice but to allow the display to remain alongside traditional holiday decorations.
What Does the Satanic Temple Believe?
Manticore seeks to downplay tired stereotypes about Satanists, describing how members don't actually believe in deities or the supernatural. "Not only do we not worship a literal Satan, but we don't believe one actually exists. Satan for us is a metaphor. ... Throughout literary history, (it's) been used as a character that represents rebellion in the face of religious tyranny," he says.
At a national level, the group has been keen to rebrand itself and shed the image perhaps reinforced by negative media portrayals of a bunch of Jesus-hating nihilists dead-set on making life uncomfortable for others. To that end, the Satanic Temple describes itself as "a non-theistic organization, the mission of which is to encourage benevolence and empathy among all people, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense and justice, and be directed by the human conscience to undertake noble pursuits guided by the individual will."
What does that translate to in practice? A lot, apparently. Their website highlights ongoing opposition to the Westboro Baptist Church, support for abolishing corporal punishment in public schools, and challenging anti-abortion laws. However, the group is undoubtedly best known for its advocacy surrounding equal religious representation on public property.
On the Front Lines
The Satanic Temple has been involved in a number of high-profile disputes over religious displays in recent years. Back in August, the group famously protested Arkansas' decision to put up a Ten Commandments monument at the state capitol by setting up their own monument to Baphomet, a goat-headed Satanic figure. The event and the Satanic Temple leaders behind it were profiled in a recent Vice News segment which characterized them not as "a group of devil worshipers, but liberal political activists who oppose the increasing influence of the religious right in American politics."
"I think that all art is about provocation," Manticore says. "It's about inspiring thought and emotion. Certainly, we can't control whether someone finds something offensive or not."
In other words, although Satanic displays may be shocking to some particularly Christians who are convinced that the devil is real their goal is not the downfall of religion. Instead, Satanists want to make space for a plurality of religious beliefs to exist, and in the process ensure the government doesn't endorse any one religion in particular.
91 comments
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Jim
They are indeed devil worshippers. Hence the name Satanic Temple. That said go for it. They are a religion as any other, while I do not subscribe to the cult as long as they do not display anything that would be considered indecent to the public go for it.....
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Don
"as long as they do not display anything that would be considered indecent "
Like a cross with a bloody man being tortured on it? Oh wait...
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Jim
Have you watched any TV lately Don. I think you know what I mean by indecent or are you really that stupid.
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DW
Or priest boy rape news...
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Don
"They are indeed devil worshippers"
Are you really so stupid and uneducated that you actually believe this sleazy lie?
Crawl back under your rock, Jimmy Boy.
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michelle
They do not believe in the devil
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Amber
No, they really don't and if people would take the time to learn something about it they might realize it too. They seem to rather rely on the same old tired lies to keep control of the people... you don't keep people for long on fear. It might be a great motivator but it also get tiresome. Very, very tiresome. Eventually people break under the preasure ot leave to get away from it.
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Don
So to you, showing a bloody and tortured man on a cross to children is okay. Jim, NEVER BREED. Your unborn children will thank you.
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Jim
Don LOL to late my children have grown up, with families of their own and are doing extremely well. In your feeble attempt at an insult to me I could get into it with you with come backs like did your parents have any kids that lived or you are a prime example of why some animals eat their young but I just don’t have the time and I don’t want to have a battle of wits with an unarmed man. Let me just end this tit for tat by saying that in a world where one of the top TV shows for the past few years is The walking dead, and one of the top selling video games is grand theft auto and you think that a religious icon as Jesus on the cross which has been around for thousands of years and taught to kids of all ages with pics in the bible and in churches etc. is indecent, Well there really is nothing left to say other than what I have already stated. I don’t think your education level would allow for a continued discussion you might hurt yourself.
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Bob Anderson
Hey Jim..for someone who's not going to engage in a 'tit-for-tat" insult sling, you sure managed to get a lot in. Which is typical of so-called 'christians'..they can dish it but can't take it.
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Fred Lotz
Can I get an amen for that very true statment?
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Rev. John D. Partin
Jim, Satanists aren't the same thing at all as devil worshippers because Satanists are atheists, who no more believe in actual devils' existence than in God's existence and so could hardly be worshipping non-existing things. "Satan" is only symbolic and representative to Satanists of vital existence and human pride and material success and reality. Satanists worship themselves, not external "beings" or "devils", instead of "God". Christians lecturing Satanists on "not being indecent" are the whole pot factory calling a single kettle "black"!!
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ET
We are all children of the same cosmos. Their path is for them as valid as any path others would chose.
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The Rev. Brother Robert Barker
Well said ET.
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Hans Hartman
They are not a “Religion”. A religion believes in and is organized to worship God or gods. If they want freedom of speech, let them buy time on tv or a billboard. The Menorah and the Christian symbols (Nativity Scene or Christmas Tree) of the birth of Christ are celebrations of religion and the glory of God. Satanists do NOT believe in the supreme power of God or have an organized Religion. Their beliefs are all about the celebration of sin and disobedience. I pray for these people and hope that they find salvation.
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Rev. Brien
Religion is a "belief". Who are you to say what constitutes a religion? Now do not assume that I care about this, but I do not believe that you are qualified to dictate the meaning of a belief different from yours. And since you brought it up, the Christian and Jewish displays are also about freedom of speech. You are free to keep your beliefs, please extend the same courtesy to others. Thank you.
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Hans Hartman
DICTIONARY
re·li·gion /rəˈlijən/ noun the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods
So, it is not my words, but those from the dictionary. Satan is NOT a God or a Diety. The Evil One is the antithesis of goodness and God. If you believe that the worship of Satan is a religion, you should have a serious look at your relationship with the One True and Holy God, the Holy Trinity and God Made Man in Jesus Christ.
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Rev. Brien
Hans, you were a bit selective with your definition, here is websters definition: Definition of religion 1a : the state of a religious a nun in her 20th year of religion b(1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural
(2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices 3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : CONSCIENTIOUSNESS 4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
As you can see, the definition is much broader than what you displayed. Your belief is yours, and I respect it. You see, respect is the beginning of understanding. I would never belittle your belief. I hope this clears the picture for you.
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The Rev. Brother Robert Barker
Rev. Brian: Well said!!
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Greg
According to YOU he is not a God or Deity. Keep that to yourself, because to some of us He is the one who saved us, and who will continue to save us from the lies of the false God and his followers.
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michelle
Why should anyone keep their thoughts to themselves? Is your faith in HIM that fragile?
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Greg
No, Nfmomof3 it's not. We don't have faith in Him. Faith is for those who can't see or touch their Gods. We couldn't care less what people say, except when it's just factually incorrect. And in this case, the statement that Satan is not a God or deity of any kind is factually incorrect.
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The Rev. Brother Robert Barker
For billions of people Satan or the Devil is a mythological creature that does not exist in reality. It was created by someone millennia ago as an explanation for the evil that people can create and carry out on people. Nor does hell exist but an invention by religionist to try and control people by fear. True spirituality does not accept either and can do good, be loving, and be moral without either a satan or hell.
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John
Satan has been historically proven to be taken from pagan deities who look “evil” and people have been told ooh look they worship satan Christianity is a religion built on lies,fear,and ego. Believe me when I tell people I am a pagan and can’t tell you how many times i’ve been told how I am a satanist
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michelle
That is frustrating I am sure. However, I hope you realize that Satanist are not bad people. If fact they would probably be the first to stand in your defense.
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Don
Others don't get to tell you what you believe. And YOU don't get to tell others what THEY believe.
"Their beliefs are all about the celebration of sin and disobedience" No, they are not. You are ignorant of their beliefs, and rather than learn, you spew sleazy lies about them. And you probably call yourself a Christian. What a joke.
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Lea Weisenbach
Hand Hartman..Buddhist don't Beleive in a God but is a religion. Your definition is nothing more than a cult. To me religion is personal knowledge that is my personal quest is mt spiritualism. There are other ways of thinking and I'm a survivor from Christianity..When you lose your family because you marry outside your religion and culture..This is sick minded and people are just plain tired of small mindedness..I'm thankful the the Satanists are keep our right to free thought..free.
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The Rev. Brother Robert Barker
Hans Hartman: You do not know what you are talking about. You are mouthing crap that you heard from some fundi-pastor. If you would read some books/articles outside your comfort zone you might learn something. Satanic Temple’s Seven Tenets Are Morally Superior To Ten Commandments" "Based in Massachusetts, and with approximately 20 chapters across the U.S., The Satanic Temple’s seven fundamental tenets are as follows:
Strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason.
The struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions.
One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone.
The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo your own.
Beliefs should conform to our best scientific understanding of the world. We should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit our beliefs.
People are fallible. If we make a mistake, we should do our best to rectify it and resolve any harm that may have been caused.
Every tenet is a guiding principle designed to inspire nobility in action and thought. The spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written or spoken word.
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The Rev. Brother Robert Barker
Find and read the above article here: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2016/01/satanic-temples-seven-tenants-are-morally-superior-to-ten-commandments/?fbclid=IwAR06TQwkpx8kTMqa1DZLu9XAtBrgPQ_1gzdo2ceOi1bigysWG7O3CHsFTsw
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Dr. David
Hans, you need to study the history of the "Christmas Tree." It is not a Christian symbol, but a secular symbol and was first used in Northern Europe to bring a little summer inside during the long, dark winter. I’ll let you do the rest of the research yourself. It is a holiday tree and the Christians stole it from everyone and called it their own.
Stop spouting what you don’t know, please.
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David
Hans Hartman - By your inaccurate definition, Buddhism is not a religion. They do not believe in a god, either. Many Quakers (who do not have an official dogma) do not believe in a god. Perhaps it is time to revise your ideas. Belief in an invisible man-in-the-sky is not necessary for religion. Worship is optional. But on a personal note, please ask yourself - Who Would Jesus Hate?
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Rev. John D. Partin
Hans Hartman, Unitarian Universalists, even apart from Satanists, already contradict your view that "a religion believes in and is organized to worship God or gods" because many of them are atheists or agnostics and certainly non-dogmatic people, in any case. People are entitled to and should practice freedom of speech wherever they are. Satanists' not believing in the supreme power of "God" doesn't mean that they don't have a religion because religion has to be defined by everyone for himself or herself. The statue of Baphomet put up in front of court houses, the same as the Ten Commandments monument was, to exercise freedom of religion and speech, is also a religious symbol. Satanists don't celebrate "sin" and disobedience, per se, but, rather, freedom of thought and speech and life and being human, for a change.
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Lionheart
It’s just another silly belief system.
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Lea Weisenbach
I would not put them in the religious sense of silly..This has been a long time coming to stop the religious abuse. We have the right to our spiritual sense of self and free thought. Its an awakening..
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Minister Post
It's just like our false news Channels to explode Satan like this. When Gregg Braden discovered a message in our DNA that God left for us to find when we finally had the technology. It was decoded using the Arimic language that Jesus himself spoke. It should have been on every news channel, on Time magazine,, but instead it was put in a science nature magazine. That no one ever heard of. So Mr. Braden wrote a book called, "The God Code," . Read it !!
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The Rev. Brother Robert Barker
Minister Post: You might want to read this critique of Gregg Braden and his God Code.
What Happened to Gregg Braden? — A critique of his latest work: The God Code Mar 2004 Gregg Braden is at the forefront of the New Age movement with his books, Awakening to Zero Point, The Isaiah Effect and Walking Between The Worlds. An ex-computer programmer, Braden presents himself as a scientist and modern-day prophet at the cutting edge of research into our collective destiny and the science of prayer. Here is a review from a lecture promoting his latest book, The God Code.
"I HAVE JUST GOT BACK from a lecture at Alternatives in London given on the 29/3/04 by Gregg Braden, which covers the material of his new book, The God Code. I had been looking forward to this lecture for many months: I am a HUGE fan of Braden's work, and it is very rare to see him in this part of the world. So it was with absolute delight that I went to hear him speak … and ended up almost walking out.
This was the biggest load of pseudoscience I have heard for a long time, and it was delivered in a thoroughly patronizing manner (his target audience when preparing this material can only be imbecilic). I cannot understand this because none of this comes through in his previous work — although I have never heard him lecture before, I have read his previous books, some of which were fantastic and are recommended on this site. I have also listened to one radio interview, which was great.
Braden prides himself on being a scientist, and in his other material he presents the right balance between scientific fact and "spiritual" interpretation of those facts. But his latest work, The God Code, seems to be fantasy masquerading as science, and actually ends up discrediting his previous works. Throughout his lecture he keeps trying to reassure the audience with "this is proved scientifically" or "scientists do not doubt this", when in fact nobody with any scientific understanding could accept what he is claiming on the evidence that he presents. It just isn't science, period."
Read the whole critique here: https://realitymaps.com/2004/03-godcode.html
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John Owens
I will. I read, "The Bible Code". I have a copy somewhere, or used to. This will be interesting.
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Don
The reason it wasn't on every news channel is because Gregg Braden is a superstitious looney that almost makes Young Earth Creationists look sane. Almost.
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The Doctor
So true don
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Larry Copeland
Because of Satan and Eve eternal life was stopped and Death came into being. Jesus has brought back eternal life through his Blood but only to people who obey his commands. Read the instruction BOOK Bible?
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Lionheart
You've now got me wondering if it was Eve that really started the "Me Too" movement, or could it have been Mary many years later?
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Lori
Ooooo yeah, Lionheart. That's a good point to bring out.
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Lea Weisenbach
Just love it..lol
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Don
Larry needs to re-read Genesis Chapter 3, he doesn't seem to remember the story at all. God lied to Adam, the serpent told Eve that God was lying, she found out that God was, indeed, lying to stop them from gaining eternal life. And when they found out God was lying, God became fearful and kicked them out.
Genesis 3:24 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
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Tom B
Respectfully, Freedom of Religion is FREEDOM OF RELIGION...there are one-God, multiple Gods, different Gods types of religions...all are protected...any religion fearing any other religion is simply being paranoid....Peace...Tom
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Lori
So true. Peace
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warjna
Exactly, Tom. That is the entire point of the Universal Life Church! The ULC encompasses all beliefs.
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Hans Hartman
Tom, I do not “Fear” the damned. I pray for them and their eternal souls. If they are registered as a secular “Religion”, they would then have the rights under secular law. But I think this discussion is more about the truth of religion. Because if you go by what you are saying (as are many others), I could call a new church “Death to the people who are unlike me!” And I could then erect a statue with every race creed and color that is not like me, showing their demise. That is NOT a religion, it is a ideology. And though the USA has laws to protect the freedoms of those who have opposing opinions, it does not support the harmful rhetoric of hate groups. And forgive me if I am wrong, but Satan and his followers are bent on the destruction of the soul of all mankind. And though a soul is not something you can hold, it is something that you can feel. And just like light, if we are devoid of the soul, we are in darkness and will surely die.
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Don
"it does not support the harmful rhetoric of hate groups" Like the hateful rhetoric in Scripture?
"Satan and his followers are bent on the destruction of the soul of all mankind" Satan is imaginary. Even the members of this "church" are smart enough to know that.
"And though a soul is not something you can hold, it is something that you can feel" Prove a soul exists and I will send you one million dollars.
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Minister Laura
"Prove a soul exists and I will send you one million dollars." Hope Chinese experiment won't work because then you should pay them ;) Being serious, really China is making a ultra-sensitive scanner trying to detect soul!
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Don
"Satan and his followers are bent on the destruction of the soul of all mankind.":
Don't worry, Frodo has the ring and will save the day!
(seriously, did you read what you wrote? How old ARE you??)
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Rev. Brien
Don, refer to the definition of fanatic. Hope this helps lol.
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The Doctor
You must of love Jeff Session and adore Pence. Have you ever even bothered to research what it takes to start your own church? It does not require believing in your concept of what a deity is.
The COS does not remotely consider satan an actual being, but instead focus on what they see as his message of self empowerment rather then kneeling to a dictatorial maker.
Because frankly just like parents, even if your concept of god is the right one and did create everything, he has no business playing eternal master of all.
Tiy have a kid, you raise it best you can, and then let it go off to do its own thing and as long as it doesnt turn into a rapist, pedophile or serial killer/mass shooter etc then you love it without judgement.
Frankly your idea of god is the kind of parent that justifies patricide.
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Lori
Has anyone here actually read anything about the Church of Satan? They don't worship Satan. They aren't followers of some fantasy figure. They are radical Atheists. They believe in themselves. The 'Satan' thing is simply a means of busting the biblical fundamentalist and their MY WAY IS THEEEE WAY attitudes.
And Hans... You live in a very creepy spiritual reality. You might want to rework that so you can find a little peace of mind.-
Lea Weisenbach
Lori...well sad..?
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The Rev. Brother Robert Barker
I find this hilarious. Here is a similar news account that will cause our fundi-evangelical conservative friends heads to explode. 3-2-1..... "Angry Christian Complains About Woman’s ‘Demonic’ Dragon Christmas Display"
"A Louisiana woman’s dragon Christmas display is making at least one Christian neighbor angry and upset.
Every year author Diana Rowland decorates her lawn with inflatable dragons for Halloween and Christmas. However, this year one angry neighbor sent a mean-spirited anonymous note complaining about the dragon Christmas display featuring dragons dressed in garland and Santa hats.
In a tweet that went viral, Rowland posted a photo of her dragon Christmas display as well as a photo of the anonymous note she received from her angry Christian neighbor: Our dragon holiday display got fan mail! (And apparently the “true meaning of Christmas” involves judgmental bullshit?) The letter from the anonymous Christian neighbor reads: YOUR DRAGON DISPLAY IS ONLY MARGINALLY ACCEPTABLE AT HALLOWEEN. IT IS TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE AT CHRISTMAS. IT MAKES YOUR NEIGHBORS WONDER IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN A DEMONIC CULT. PLEASE CONSIDER REMOVING THE DRAGONS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND HELP YOU TO KNOW THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.
I have no idea who the letter came from. I know it didn’t come from any of my immediate neighbors, because they’re all awesome and cool and very supportive of the dragons!
To her credit, and to the delight of many, Rowland did not remove the dragons. Instead, she added more dragons. And the internet loved her for it."
Read the rest of the story here: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2018/12/angry-christian-complains-about-womans-demonic-dragon-christmas-display/?fbclid=IwAR2kU6drBms1ZoQDkPuXLjV-09l_LP_LberLBkRAHerQeRTzB_KNICrTOY0
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Minister Laura
seriously??? nordic, aragonese and basque beliefs (and maybe oriental, must investigate more) include this animal for the solstice of winter and the birth of some important beings that night!
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Chris
I'm fairly certain the same group would complain if a Pentagram or Ankh or any other religious iconography was displayed. They marginally accept the Menorah but anything else causes their knickers to twist. For a group who yells about "Freedom of Religion" so much they don't seem to understand that goes for all religions, not just theirs.
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warjna
Can we all please stop and think about something here? If you disagree with something someone says, you do not need to attack the PERSON to counter the statement. If someone says something you believe is incorrect, address the error. Calling someone names like stupid, moron, idiot, or other "colorful" words does NOT make them interested in considering your words. It makes them angry, upset, and stubborn, and in most cases makes them want to call you worse names. In nearly every "religion" there is some statement that equates to the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This includes Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc. So unless somehow your version of whatever your religion is WANTS you to have others call you names? Don't do it to others. What you put out comes back to you. Christian's say, "Cast your bread upon the waters, and it shall come back to you a thousandfold." Wiccans have the Law of Three. If you put out anger, you get back anger. If you put out nasty, hurtful, hate-filled words, you provoke others to give back the same. If you want to change someone's mind, don't attack them -- convince them. Dont attack someone in the name of your religion: it only gives your religion a bad name. Let us be kind to one another.
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caz
Well said.
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Minister Laura
really, well said!
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Lori
beautiful!
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Les
EXACTLY!
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The Rev. Brother Robert Barker
Yes, argue reasonably and with facts, not by ad hominem attacks. (of an argument or reaction) directed against a person rather than the position they are maintaining.)
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Kel
I've read the Satanic bible. It isn't a threat to actual Christians. It's the psycho drama of religious world. Every good guy needs a bad guy. I don't agree babies should be aborted. But these are possibly the end times; through MANIFEST DESTINY. A far greater "evil"; by religious hands...
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Minister Laura
Many comments about Satan, satanists, religions... does anyone have read the message portrayed on that holiday monument???? "Knowledge is the best gift" I really believe in that motto, and I'm living on it, and guiding my son that knowledge, study, respect and being nice and never judge others by any means are the best gifts and a base to create his own value system. Also, I talk with him about the religions we come accross, and he doesn't like the image of Jesus bleeding and nailed to a cross, but I tell him that sometimes we all feel like that, and he could bear and overcome it, he doesn't like that women has to wear a veil forced instead of their own decision to do, he knows that buda was very poor but before that he was a prince who his own father tried to lie about ageing and death, he knows that there's more than we can see, and many important scientist he admires told on that way, that science and beliefs shouldn't be separated, as we can find the essence of the unknown and the desire to understand and find answers can make us closer to that entity called god, Satan, Lucifer, Shiva, Allah, JHWH, Pele, Maui, Kwannon and many others... love and live beyond the good or evil, beyond judgement (even christians have Jesus saying exactly this: what you do to others, you are doing to me, and also, don't judge and you won't be judged).
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Bill Fox
Is Paganism less offensive to Christians than Satanism? We all have a Constitutional Right to be offended. We don't have much of a right to do anything about it. Paul often suffered the consequences of offending pagan religions simply by preaching the Gospel. Jesus did not confront Pagan religions. He offered his understanding of the Truth. We have the free will to understand what we want. What are the consequences? If we a wrong there will be a high price to pay.
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Esther
The End is near
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The Rev. Brother Robert Barker
Oh really!?
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Secretary3rd
Hope that I can have a spot over by the far wall to display what I have as a religion After Life where Mother can sit in a chair and knit. That should offend a lot of people on all sides. Freedom to believe or not to be gullible is what we all want for that freedom. If you want to believe that there is a Devil then so what. As many believe that God only comes on earth on Sunday mornings or is found in Mecca during the rest of the week. It only shows that since man went from gather /hunters to farmer's his beliefs have not change much.
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Stan
Methinks these Satanists are sheep in wolves clothing. The Satanist dogma is that government should be entirely free from religion, not inclusive of all religions. That is, freedom FROM religion, not freedom of religion where state and publicly funded grounds are concerned.
Plurality is fine in private practice but NO religions should be accepted, included, or represented by the state.
Why is this so hard for everyone?
The evangelical christians are trying to stuff god into government and the Satanists of The Satanic Temple are supporting the evangelicals' arguments by their expectation of inclusivity.
Champion the absence of religion in government, not the inclusion of all religions.
Hail Satan!
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kc
Our country was based on freedom from religion. Learn your history. I like that the Satanic Temple pushes buttons and forces people to look at themselves and perhaps even face their own fears. All religions are man-made, even christianity.
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Lionheart
Right on, Kathryn. I was almost tempted to say Amen. :)
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kc
How do folks use an alias? I want to know, not everyone gives their full name and such.
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michelle
I’m an atheist and say amen all the time. The etymology of amen just means Truth. One of the nuns in my grade school taught me that. Funny the things you remember.
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Jack
I was taught it meant "So Be It"
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Jack
I am not fond of what you say, Kathryn, but I have to agree with you. One place Imdissagree is I don't think it was freedom from religion but freedom from the Church of England's religion. Religion was alive and well and services long in the new world
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michelle
I do agree that was the main reason they left but I think they wanted a place that would be a little better. Sadly, the descendants of the Catholics that came over would become as bad, or worse, than the leaders of the Church of England.
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Joy
I think this is wonderful. I wish others would realize that our Universe is quite large, and encompasses many thoughts and beliefs. One way is not the only way, and my way may not be your way. Now I have another belief system to learn more about!
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Jack
Why is it that Christians take the brunt of "it can't, you can" no prayer in school, no special treatments, etc"when this country was founded as a judeo/ Christian entity. Our money "In God We Trust ". And so forth but other groups get preferential treatment. Such as the Muslims. They certainly have a right to their belief. But if our country is based upon a different set of beliefs then they should adopt our way or go someplace where their belief is practiced. We should welcome all people who legally immigrate to our shores and are willing to assimilate into our culture. If the country they are fleeing is so bad why bring it here ? If our country is so bad why would you come here?
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michelle
Do some real research. Our founding fathers were, for the most part, NOT Christians. Take time and read their own feelings on Christians. By continually BOASTING ,falsely, that you come from a Judeo Christian country, not only are you lying but committing the sin of pride. You can not say you are not knowingly lying. I promise you’ve been told this truth before. I imagine you are not going out of your way to find the truth. He’ll Thomas Jefferson rewrote the entire Bible.
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michelle
It is also somewhat arrogant to say you hold the brunt of the “you can’t” I guess the thousands of other religions in this country mean nothing to you. They can’t prey in school. It is not just the Christians. You guys are the only ones whining and saying that it’s not fair. You just demonstrated the lack of respect many Christians have. You only see Christians. What about Budist, Wiccan, Voodoo, Islam, Satanism, the dozens, of not hundreds, of Nativs American beliefs? Are they not worthy? Shame on you for your arrogance and pride. Open your heart to the fact other seek god in other places than your bible. They find their own truth
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John Eubanks
Jack, your comment exemplifies just about everything that is wrong with Evangelical Christian Dogma. "It's all about us, We are singled out for persecution, America is by and for us and everyone else can conform or leave, other religions get preferential treatment if their beliefs are protected" etc etc. If you want a country that is controlled by a religion, you have obviously not been seeing what is happening to countries in the middle east that have been taken by "My way or you die" factions. Fundamental Evangelicals would like nothing better than to have their convictions and beliefs made law. They are actively trying to do so. That would be the END of liberty. I am a Christian. I say that with honor. But I am also one of millions of like-minded Christians who reject and condemn the Fundamental Evangelical Dogma.
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Minister Jacqueline Wilkins-El
Where is the article about the black Israelites. This isn't it.
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Paul Robinson
Interesting the story of the Apple, when it is written God said WHEN you eat of the apple you will die, and a part of everyone that learns thing dies every time as we know, but with it comes growth. Also it says that God knew that they would eat of the apple, and another way of looking at it is to think of this is a way of saying that we became mankind and learned to think as opposed to just reacting the same as all other animals in nature. This is one of many stories that is told one way that has many meanings if one takes the time to look at the symbolism. Apple has always been associated with Knowledge, and libraries often have a flame burning to symbolize the Flame of Knowledge, many also say that one sees the light and comes out of darkness when they learn.
There is a misunderstanding in the name Satan that is based on what we are told, compared to what is written that has many upset from what I can see. Satan is in the bible as the Accuser of Man working for God, and some say his real name is Arch Angel Samael. He is the one who judges, but also protects the innocent.
We have many that see knowledge as evil, and anything that is different than what they have been told as evil. Yet Evil does have a very different meaning that all of us know well. Evil is what causes us harm, it is what destroys things even things of both light and darkness, Yet Knowledge and light does destroy darkness and ignorance, and that is what I see that the statue represents.
One thing about the Satanic Temple they are an In your face kind of group that is basically saying to the world Wake up, see the light, Use your brain. They are not saying join us, as they do not need to do that, as people that believe as they do and like to act in the same ways as they do will naturally join, or as Anton LaVey said people do not become Satanists, they are born that way.
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Rev Ned
All I can say is “Blessed be!”
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Maurice Slaunwhite
I think we will let God look after this one and i know he will. I have already had one of God's great surprises bestowed upon me and There is more to come from the great creator who will do against Satan.
Good. "Christians" like to bandy the term Freedom of Religion in order to get their way. It's nice to see them reminded that it goes for all religions, not just theirs.
Exactly
Spot on..
Absolutely. It seems there is a lot of leveling of the playing fields in many areas that is creating more equal treatment for all. Those privileged with exceptions and benefits of the doubt will now have to be scrutinized just like everyone else or stop being such tightwads and allow others equal standing. It's about time, but it's also about to get rock with all the adjusting that needs to happen.