Group unveils Satan statue design for Oklahoma
By SEAN MURPHY 8 hours ago
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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A satanic group unveiled designs Monday for a
7-foot-tall statue of Satan it wants to put at the Oklahoma state Capitol,
where a Ten Commandments monument was placed in 2012.
- Satanists unveil design for Okla. Capitol monument Associated Press
- Okla. imposes moratorium on Capitol monuments Associated Press
- Fla. rejects request to install Satanic display Associated Press
"The monument has been designed to reflect the views of Satanists in Oklahoma City and beyond," temple spokesman Lucien Greaves said in a statement. "The statue will also have a functional purpose as a chair where people of all ages may sit on the lap of Satan for inspiration and contemplation."
The Satanic Temple maintains that the Oklahoma Legislature's decision to authorize a privately funded Ten Commandments monument at the Capitol opened the door for its statue. The Ten Commandments monument was placed on the north steps of the building in 2012, and the Oklahoma chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has sued to have it removed.
Similar requests for monuments have been made by a Hindu leader in Nevada, an animal rights group and the satirical Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
In response, the Oklahoma Capitol Preservation Commission recently placed a moratorium on considering any new requests.
This artist's rendering provided by the Satanic
Temple shows a proposed monument that the New Yo …
"Anybody can
still make their request, but we'll hold off on considering them until the
lawsuit is adjudicated," commission Chairman Trait Thompson said.The push by the Satanic Temple has rankled elected leaders in this conservative state known as the buckle of the Bible Belt, who say such a proposal would never be approved by the commission.
"I think you've got to remember where you are. This is Oklahoma, the middle of the heartland," said Rep. Don Armes, R-Faxon. "I think we need to be tolerant of people who think different than us, but this is Oklahoma, and that's not going to fly here."
While Greaves acknowledges the Satanic Temple's effort is in part to highlight what it says is hypocrisy of state leaders in Oklahoma, he says the group is serious about having a monument placed there.
The group already has raised nearly half of the $20,000 it says it needs to build the monument.
"We plan on moving forward one way or another," Greaves said.
Another Oklahoma legislator, Rep. Earl Sears, called the group's effort "an insult to the good people of the state."
"I do not see Satanism as a religion, and they have no place at the state Capitol," said Sears, R-Bartlesville.
On its website, the Satanic Temple explains that it "seeks to
separate Religion from Superstition by acknowledging religious belief as a
metaphorical framework with which we construct a narrative context for our
goals and works.
"Satan stands as the ultimate icon for the selfless revolt
against tyranny, free & rational inquiry, and the responsible pursuit of
happiness," the website says.
___
Sean Murphy can
be reached at www.twitter.com/apseanmurphy- Religion
& Beliefs
- Society
& Culture
- Oklahoma state Capitol
- Satan
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Scott
0
0
Crackpots insist our laws are based on the
ten commandments.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. (Show me anyone that doesn't own a camera)
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (how does the law punish anyone who works on Sunday)
Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Last I knew adultery wasn't punishable by law in this country)
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Christians come out with some of the most outrageous lies)
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. (Show me anyone that doesn't own a camera)
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (how does the law punish anyone who works on Sunday)
Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Last I knew adultery wasn't punishable by law in this country)
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Christians come out with some of the most outrageous lies)
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Hank
1
0
Theistic Satanists are wackos who worship the
beast and his control over them. They tend to have a "flexible
morality" to put it lightly.
Atheistic Satanists are a little more complex. They believe the idea of satan represents the inherent qualities of man which Christianity denies. Individualism, pride, and self indulgence are all seen as good things. To be fair, Western culture is, by the definition of Satanism, much more Satanist than Christian. But like most false Christians these Satanists are really just #$%$ who want to do whatever they want. They won't be the ones who will build societies. Just like capitalism has no balance and will destroy itself, they are the exact same way.
Atheistic Satanists are a little more complex. They believe the idea of satan represents the inherent qualities of man which Christianity denies. Individualism, pride, and self indulgence are all seen as good things. To be fair, Western culture is, by the definition of Satanism, much more Satanist than Christian. But like most false Christians these Satanists are really just #$%$ who want to do whatever they want. They won't be the ones who will build societies. Just like capitalism has no balance and will destroy itself, they are the exact same way.
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Karmah
1
59
I don't know much about Satanism, but why do
they depict the goat as evil?
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c'mon
0
14
And here is the fallout of selfish
evangelicals demanding public funds be used to promote their particular vision
of religion; it opens the door for every religious group (regardless of focus)
to demand similar treatment. It's a perfect example of why there MUST be a
separation of church & state in every state, regardless of the predominate
religion...
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Charles
4
91
Amendment 1 of the Constitution of the United
States:
"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the 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."
THIS IS THE ENTIRE AMENDMENT ! ! !
How 'bout that phrase "or probititing the exercise thereof"??? Strictly speaking you can put up all the Satans you want and all the crosses as well. As a Christian myself, I am not afraid of the competition since my belief supports what I know to be the better cause. My government is forbidden to make the choice for me.....or anyone else.
"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the 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."
THIS IS THE ENTIRE AMENDMENT ! ! !
How 'bout that phrase "or probititing the exercise thereof"??? Strictly speaking you can put up all the Satans you want and all the crosses as well. As a Christian myself, I am not afraid of the competition since my belief supports what I know to be the better cause. My government is forbidden to make the choice for me.....or anyone else.
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Bobby Boo
0
14
I don't think Oklahoma wants a statue of the
Bogeyman.
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Michael
3
14
Pffttt.... New Yorkers. Since when did satan
have three horns? Is that boy smiling or is that the youngest male ever to have
such a full mustache? Look at his left hand... is satan threatening to shoot
someone? Is he a doctor? why is hiding a medical symbol in his crotch? Why does
it look like he's wearing a buddhist monks robe... that's highly offensive
towards Buddhists. Those are wings? Who drew this #$%$... looks like he's about
to get eaten by a giant clam. And why is the satanic "temple" in new
york applying to have their "religious" monument put up while at the
same time proclaiming that they aren't a religion but a group that "seeks
to separate Religion from Superstition by acknowledging religious belief as a
metaphorical framework with which we construct a narrative context for our
goals and works." ...man talk about hypocrisy.
Anywho... this is ridiculous and I couldn't give a #$%$ but in all honesty my wife is watching 10 year old reruns of Friends right now and I've got nothing else better to do. If only I could sit on goat mans lap and think about that little boys smile mustache.
Anywho... this is ridiculous and I couldn't give a #$%$ but in all honesty my wife is watching 10 year old reruns of Friends right now and I've got nothing else better to do. If only I could sit on goat mans lap and think about that little boys smile mustache.
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Ray Michael
0
10
When the Flying Spaghetti Monster gets a
statue, THEN we can have peace. RAMEN!
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Michael
3
12
While I can agree to an extent that most
people would be familiar with Satan as being the embodiment of evil and sin,
the state should've considered many factors before allowing a Christian statue
to be depicted in a public place away from an area of worship. It is almost as
if they are wishing to tie the state government with an established religion,
and it is incredibly intolerant. A wise man named Immaneul Kant once came up
with the idea that if an action is not suited for everyone, it is not suited
for anyone (summarized). This is a perfect example. If the Christians get what
they want, the Satanists have a suit against the state for religious intolerance.
If the Satanists get what they want, Christians everywhere will be outraged for
obvious reasons not needing mention. There will be no good outcome to this, and
the state of OK should've known better.
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eDan
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6
["I do not see Satanism as a religion,
and they have no place at the state Capitol," said Sears, R-Bartlesville.]
It's nice to know that Oklahoma has bold representatives like Mr. Sears who are unafraid to boldly point out that only REAL churches deserve to be intertwined with state government, thus reinforcing the important constitutional principle of separation of Satan and state. Well done, Mr. Sears, well done.
It's nice to know that Oklahoma has bold representatives like Mr. Sears who are unafraid to boldly point out that only REAL churches deserve to be intertwined with state government, thus reinforcing the important constitutional principle of separation of Satan and state. Well done, Mr. Sears, well done.
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