Bible Thumpers are Having a Cow Over Satanic Goat’s Head
Iowa Republicans, including Governor Kim Reynolds, came under fire from conservatives this week after a Satanic altar was erected in the Iowa State Capitol.
The Satanic Temple of Iowa unveiled its “beautiful holiday display” – complete with goat head and candles – in the state Capitol last week, where it will reportedly remain for 14 days as a symbol of “religious freedom,” according to KCCI 8 Des Moines.
Reynolds received backlash from conservatives on social media for refusing to use her power as governor to remove the altar, while state Republican officials also came under fire for attempting to justify its inclusion in the Capitol.
Iowa State Rep. Jon Dunwell (R) tried to explain it to the slow-witted constituents and it was not appreciated. His statement begins:
As many of you have become aware, last week a display was erected at the Iowa Capitol by the Satanic Temple of Iowa. As I have responded to concerns from Iowans about the display, I wanted to share with you how the display came to be and my response.
How did it happen?
• The Capitol structure falls underneath the control of the Iowa Legislature. The Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is charged with the management.
• Currently, access for displays at the Capitol are open to anyone through an application process. Though there are some guidelines, they do not discriminate on the basis of religion or ideology.
• Displays are permitted to be displayed for two weeks.
• All displays are required to communicate they are an independent display and not to be associated with the State of Iowa.
• The Satanic Temple petitioned for their display in August and were approved with some modification. They wanted to use an actual goat head (I’m assuming a skull) and we’re prohibited from doing so.
• The Iowa Legislature can set the rules and standards for any display. The current operating principle has been to either allow all displays or none. The Legislature has the power to change it if they deem necessary.
There’s a lot in-between, it ends with:
“If the government picks and chooses religious expressions, someday they will use it against Christian expressions. We are not a theocracy. I would rather have no displays than government selecting religions. The power of Christianity is Christ that lives in us. Not having government tear down other religious displays (even the evil ones). We are not Israel.”
Here’s some comments from the goobers.
Well, you get the idea.
You may read the good pastor’s statement in it’s entirety here.
