Satanic display featuring demonic ram in a red cloak is set up at the Iowa Statehouse as 'an expression of religious freedom'
The Satanic Temple has put a glittering demonic ram's head on display at the Iowa Statehouse as an expression of “religious freedom.”
In addition to more traditional menorahs and Christmas trees, the group has set up an altar topped with candles, a large banner and a ram figure with a skull covered in mirrors, a red cloak and a wreath.
The Temple reportedly went through all the proper administrative channels for the exhibition, and only their original request to use a real goat skull was denied.
Satanic Temple founder Lucien Greaves told KCCI: “We are really going to enjoy the opportunity to be represented in a public forum. We don't have a church on every street corner.'
The display will remain up for fourteen days and is protected under the First Amendment – but not everyone is happy about it.
The Satanic Temple is on display in the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol
Iowa resident Shellie Flockhart is deeply concerned and organized a group prayer near the exhibit on Wednesday.
She told KCCI, “I hope people realize that spiritual warfare is real. That there are evil satanic forces trying to infiltrate our state.”
She said Christians need to fight it spiritually, adding, “It's a very dark, evil force, and I really hope people know how to fight it.”
But Greaves wasn't concerned about the backlash, saying it is a symbol of their right to religious freedom.
He said: 'My feeling is that if people don't like our expressions in public forums, they don't need to engage with them, they don't need to watch them.'
The First Amendment protects all religious groups and the practice of all faiths and states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
The Satanic Temple was designated a tax-exempt religion by the IRS in 2019, giving it the same legal protection as other religions.
This includes: 'Access to public areas such as other religious organizations; affirming its position in the court in the fight against religious discrimination; and allowing The Satanic Temple to apply for faith-based government grants.”
It will remain there for fourteen days as an expression of religious freedom
Satanic Temple co-founder Lucien Greaves said if people don't like it, they don't have to bother with it
Iowa House Representative Jon Dunwell said on
He said: “Currently, access to displays in the Capitol is open to all through an application process.
'There are some guidelines, but they do not discriminate on the basis of religion or ideology.
“The Satanic Temple petitioned for their exhibit in August and was approved with some modifications. They wanted to use a real goat's head (I assume a skull) and we are forbidden to do so.'
He reminded people that “the exhibition is an inanimate object that has no real power in itself. We have nothing to fear.'
But added, “I don't want the Capitol to be overwhelmed by displays. In the future, we may need to find ways to appropriately limit the number of displays.”
The display shows a mirror-covered ram's head figure with a red cloak and wreath and an altar covered with candles
The Satanic Temple's website describes the club as a way to educate without proselytizing
The Satanic Temple describes itself as “the world's premier religious Satanic organization with congregations internationally and a number of high-profile public campaigns designed to preserve and promote secularism and individual freedoms.”
It claims to have more than 700,000 members.
It is based on seven “fundamental principles,” including: “One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures, in accordance with reason.”
And: 'The freedoms of others must be respected, including the freedom to offend. Intentionally and unjustly infringing on the freedoms of another means renouncing one's own freedom.
And: 'Your body is inviolable, subject only to your own will.'
Members say they don't really believe in a literal Satan or hell, but instead think it's a metaphor for questioning authority.
The State of Iowa has posted a prominent sign next to the new display that reads, “This display is not owned, maintained, promoted, endorsed by, or associated with the State of Iowa.”
Earlier this year, members of the Satanic Temple gathered for SatanCon at the Marriott Copley Place in Boston.
More than 800 people attended the event. One speaker tore up a Bible, while others held “unbaptisms.”
Opposing Christian groups came out in protest and organized a series of demonstrations across the city to combat the three-day event with “intense prayer.”
The group made headlines again when they started 'After School Satan Clubs'.
The clubs sparked controversy earlier this year, with gatherings for students at schools in Virginia and California.