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January 7th, 2014
10:00 AM ET
Satanists unveil design for OK statehouse statueBy Daniel Burke, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor (CNN) - Satanists have unveiled their design for a proposed statue at the Oklahoma state Capitol, including a place for people to sit on the devil's lap "for inspiration and contemplation." The New York-based Satanic Temple submitted its proposal to Oklahoma officials this month after applying for a spot on Capitol grounds late last year. The Satanists say their statue would "complement and contrast" with a Ten Commandments monument placed at the Capitol in Oklahoma City in 2012. The Satanists' proposed monument depicts Baphomet, a goat-headed pagan idol sitting on a 7-foot-tall throne inscribed with an inverted pentagram. In an artist's rendering provided by the Satanic Temple, smiling children look adoringly at the devilish figure. "The statue will serve as a beacon calling for compassion and empathy among all living creatures," Lucien Greaves, a spokesman for the Satanic Temple, said in a prepared 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.” According to its Indiegogo page, the Satanists have raised more than $16,000 toward their goal of $20,000 for the monument, which Greaves said would "be a historical marker commemorating the scapegoats, the marginalized, the demonized minority and the unjustly outcast.” The Temple of Satan is less a religious body organized around rituals and regular meetings than a roving band of political provocateurs, according to Greaves. They believe Satan is a "literary construct," the spokesman said, not an actual being with horns and hooves. READ MORE: Satanists want statue next to Ten Commandments The proposed statue includes quotations from poets Lord Byron and William Blake. “Prisons are built with stones of Law, Brothels with bricks of Religion” runs the Blake quotation. The 18th-century poet was a Christian, albeit one with a mystical bent and little use for traditional morality. The statue's main figure, Baphomet, has long been associated with Satan, Greaves said. In the 12th century, the Knights Templar, a group of Christian crusaders, were accused of worshiping Baphomet in their secretive rituals. "From the mythology created by these accusations against the Templars, we now have a symbol for Satan pictured as a goat-headed beast," Greaves said. Since the 1960s, a variation of the horned goat head has been the official symbol of the Church of Satan, which is not affiliated with the Temple of Satan. The head of the Church of Satan has told CNN he does not approve of the idea of a Satanist statue on public grounds. Oklahoma state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft told CNN that he doesn't think the Satanists' statue will be approved. “What will disqualify them has really nothing to do with Satan as such; it's that it has no historical significance for the state of Oklahoma,” he said. Trait Thompson, chairman of Oklahoma's Capitol Preservation Committee, said he has not received the Satanists' proposed design yet. He also said that no applications will be considered until a lawsuit over the Ten Commandments monument is settled. The American Civil Liberties Union has sued over Oklahoma's Ten Commandments monument, calling it an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion. After news broke of the Satanists' proposal, the state was flooded with requests from religious groups seeking to erect monuments to their own faith, including Hindus and Pastafarians, a satirical religion that "worships" the Flying Spaghetti Monster. An Oklahoma lawmaker told CNN that the Satanists' message wouldn't fly in the Bible Belt state, where nearly two-thirds of the population is Christian. "Any monument displayed on state property should reflect the values of Oklahoma or memorialize those who built or defended our freedom," Rep. Bob Cleveland said Tuesday. "In my opinion, this Satanist monument does not meet with the values of Oklahomans." soundoff (3,489 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Authored by American diplomat Joel Barlow in 1796, the following treaty was sent to the floor of the Senate, June 7, 1797, where it was read aloud in its entirety and unanimously approved. John Adams, having seen the treaty, signed it and proudly proclaimed it to the Nation.
Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.
My only question is this: Did you read even one sentence of the article?
Just one question...
Are you done with that soap box yet?
why are you blaming the author of this article for the actions of the satanists?
and why would satanists put up a statue of Mohammed?
I am open minded on all issues but this type of expressions will turn me to a right wing crusader. This country is turning into a basket case with no end.
I agree, why do they want to put up Ten Commandment monuments in the first place. sheesh
LOL
That doesn't sound the least bit open minded.
Well open minded, in the typical right-wing crusader sense. More fair and balanced, really.
Your response on this issue indictes what you just said is a lie. If they can put their monuments to their own faith in christianity up, why can't the satanists do the same thing?
Satanism isn't a religion, its a set of beliefs that counter everything Christian. They believe in no God (which seems absolutely necessary as a minimum requirement to be a religion), they say Christian prayers backwards, and cast curses, and play games with their bodies in churches in order to blaspheme a God they don't believe exists. They are not a religion, they are Bigots.
I would call them satirists.
'they say Christian prayers backwards, and cast curses, and play games with their bodies in churches in order to blaspheme a God they don't believe exists.'
actually they dont do those things. certainly this group doesnt.
Bill
You did not seem to notice the hypocrisy in you statement before you posted it on this blog. You could correct it or just shuffle off to join the rest or the crusading bigots.
I think you are beginning to understand why some people do not want to look at the 10 commandments at a state building. I find Christianity offensive. I think it is an aggressive and mean spirited religion, as it is practiced these days.
Being open minded would never result in turning into a right winger. That requires closing one's mind, very tightly.
This is awesome and once again proves that it's not "freedom of religion" so much as "freedom of MY religion."
You got that right for sure.
Interesting reply. I was simply trying to make the point that people can be open minded and tolerant of each other.
Reply to which post?
This War on Satan and the War on Halloween are tearing our country apart!
Jack Skellington is white kids. He just is.
You win the internet! LMAO!
Satan brings a lot of good to earth in the form of differing opinions, other ways of looking at things. I think we should all love our Satan and worship Him, for He is an angel, and although a bit different, he has brought a lot of positive change to America.
This here American does not like to hate, and I accept Satan. If the Okie's want to build a monument to the Great Satan, I think that is very cool.
Gosh folks ... what's with all the cap's and hate and stuff. All is well today! Life is good. Enjoy. And please ... stop bashing on this poor Satan guy – he is good for America.
The most ignoreant statement of all time. Satan is a fallen angel. Please do not let him decieve you. There is nothing good about Satan and his angels. If you believe in Satan, then you must read the Bible because that is the only text in the world in which he is called Satan. And seeing that you believe in Satan, you must have read in the Bible the main intent of Satan and his angels.....to kill, devour, and destroy. What is appealing about that? God has only offered us peace and rest and eternal life if we follow him. Please, if you need prayer or someone to talk to, please respond.
"Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." -Jesus
you're all nut's..... my all seeing invisible man is nicer than your all seeing invisble man
what a joke.
but alas this is religions dying breath after all.
good .... won't be missed
You are being very discriminatory and frankly, almost hateful, towards Satan, who could just be a misunderstood angel.
I think our world will become a better place when the religious people and satan worshippers learn to coexist and love each other. God loves everyone, especially Satan, whom he knows as a son.
Just because you don't understand someone like Satan or Osama BIn Laden does not make them bad. It just shows how judgemental you are.
I let Satan into my life, and I'm a better person because of it. You might want to consider the same.
If you have actually read the bible, you would know that god killed way more people than Satan. Your idea of Satan is based on your own interpretation. How are you so sure that others' perspective of him is wrong and bad? Why do you hate religious freedom and want to persecute other religions?
satan has clearly been maligned by the followers of that monster that inspired the old testament.
Goatman vs. Resurrecting Zombie. Wouldn't it be awesome if they both rode in on a sleigh with Santa? Maybe they should establish a Peanut Brittle house on Molasses swamp in Candy Land. Long walks on the Ice Cream Sea with Rudolph. That is until Mary, when not birthing as a virgin, redirects her time as a cartoonist illustrating parodies of Mohammed. A car bomb then destroys the Peanut Brittle house when he posthumously installs a statue of 72 virgins.
Why does this remind me of the 80s movie Dragnet and P.A.G.A.N. (the People Against Goodness and Normalcy)?
I was thinking the same thing. I had to reread the article to make sure it wasn't a joke.
I'm guessing because you're still living in the 80s.
adding the kids into the piece is priceless...
Yes, and the idea that you can sit in his lap.
Be great maybe for a family photo shoot for xmas greeting card .
It is no more offensive than a monument of the 10 commandments, or nativity scenes.
The religious feel offended by other peoples beliefs, but do not think twice about offending others with their beliefs.
max
So very true. " fred" for example is so eager to throw anyone that does not believe as he does into hell for eternity and yet he himself is a born again low life sinner that has been redeemed in his own mind. Makes me want to gag being lectured too by the likes of him or Austin.
SORRY, DIDN'T MEAN TO SHOUT. my cap lock was just on. just another example of ignorance via "blogging eitquette"
be kind...
Whatever. During your rant you seem to imply that the beginning of life forms can never be proven or replicated by science, is that right? What about finding life on other celestial bodies, do you think that possible? As a Deist I find that both those premises will be proven possibly in my lifetime. What then, will the Christian apologists have to go into a tizzy and rewrite their whole book of blunders?
My family and I are avid travelers. We plan to visit a different state each year for our family vacation. This statue scares me and makes me never want to visit a place with so many satan worshipper. I hope the people behind this idea understand that they will hurt their own economy, as I am sure I am not the only person who would rather be in a place where God's laws are practiced rather than the devil's.
How does someone reference "God's laws"?
I see you didn't bother to read the article. Okay.
What are the devil's laws, exactly?
The "devil" does not exist so this concept of evil has no law to bestow upon us. Your missing the point. In a supposed "free nation" they have as much right to worship and adorn your god's other son as you have to worship and adorn Jebus.
@jenny, that is just plain stupid.
Okay, so you didn't read that the group putting this up is from New York?
Also, if you didn't know, the majority of those putting money toward this are atheists, who don't believe in Satan or God. They are just tired of Christians not understanding that if you want to include religion in the government, the government has to include all religions, even those that you don't like. Religion being included in government doesn't mean just Christian religions, it means all of them. This is to demonstrate that and ask you again...is this what you really want?
How much is a round trip ticket to heaven these days anyway?
Oh ... do they practice Gods Laws in Heaven? Or is he ridiculed just like Americans blame our politicians for everything.
actually no. A lot of us avoid places in this country that have too many religious nuts i.e. right wing Christians. If I were in town I would make it a point to visit the Satan statue however.
Authored by American diplomat Joel Barlow in 1796, the following treaty was sent to the floor of the Senate, June 7, 1797, where it was read aloud in its entirety and unanimously approved. John Adams, having seen the treaty, signed it and proudly proclaimed it to the Nation. Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.
So you're not really planning to travel within the states?? None of the christian god's so-called laws are followed in the states, outside of the sensible ones...thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal. If the christian gods laws were followed child abuse and rape would be legal; tattoo's would be forbidden; adultery would be against the law; eating pork wouldn't be heard of. I bet you don't even follow all of your gods laws.
jenny...jenny
time to replace the tin foil.
you sure get scared easily
haha Jenny, you're obviously a child, so I'll explain it to you: Satanists were invented by Christians as a group of people to be rounded up and slaughtered, like heretics (aka lutherans), gypsies, jews and witches. Any "satanists" that exist today just do it to make the christian zealots uncomfortable.
There arent any real demons, even though horror movies do a good job making them look realistic. There also aren't any dinosaurs still alive or giant robots that can turn into cars. Those movies just use special effects to look real, but they're all fake!
Oklahoma – simply overflowing with Satan worshippers... You and your family should focus on God-fearing locations like Miami's South Beach, Los Angeles, or better yet, Las Vegas Nevada. Heck, their senator is a Mormon – what better indicator could you want?
The Devil does exist...
...otherwise how do you account for the Republican Party???
and Honey Boo Boo?
And of course Rush though a lessor demon does prove the premise of Satan.
You're forgetting Duck Dynasty dude and Ken Ham.
Oh, I think you made a little error...the devil's existence accounts for the existence of liberals. Like yourself.
Read the Bible some time then. Who's policies were more "liberal"? Jesus or the Devil?
Why are there still monkeys around? How much more longer until they turn into one of us?
Take a biology course....The "monkey" that we descended from does NOT exist anymore. The apes of today have little direct relation to them.
Lou,
I'm deeply sorry you descend from some type of extinct monkey.
Mankey go back to school and study, the bible is not educational dude..
It explains more about human nature to know that we are from beasts then to swallow a snake tricking a chick onto eating an apple...
Mankey: We're sorry that you have descended from dirt and haven't learned much along the way. At least about science.
Ever heard the expression "from dust you come to dust you shall return". I believe science can clearly see that when they open up an old casket. You;re no exception buddy. Your dust, too. Monkey dust
'Descend'?
Now we know Mankey has not completed a science class yet.
I kinda doubt he is old enough for High School science.
Mandy, I'm deeply sorry that the education system has failed you.
@Pseudotriton,
Well said!
"Ever heard the expression "from dust you come to dust you shall return". I believe science can clearly see that when they open up an old casket."
Open a sarcophagus several thousand years old and you find what? Dust? No...something more like beef jerky. We aren't made of dust. We're made of complex organic molecules, minerals and water(mostly water). It's more accurate to say we're made of mud and manure.
But it is true that we're just apes.
don't feed the trolls.
We are different apes.. our type of ape is already evolved...
@Mankey,
Why are there still British around and when will they turn into Americans?
lmao
If you get any dumber you're going to need to start wearing a helmet.
... im ashamed to be in the same genome with you buddy,.. that's right i'm embarrassed to call my self homo
That's ok, you all knowing educated men with monkey ancestors. The day is creeping up on you where no science book will be able to bail you out of what awaits. Make sure you know they formula for water. You'll need it.
Ah, now the threats. Nice.
Yes, I can see how truth can be threatning. But hey, there is always a way out while you're still alive. Hope you all find Jesus some day.
gee, if you suck your 12 gauge, you could be on your knees, pleasing your slavior in no time at all
Love them, threaten them, love them, threaten them.....religious logic
Monkeys may have evolved from people like me.
listen monkey, they day i let your tyrant god march on this earth, that i worked so hard to free, is the day i start watching sponge bob square pants, dude you live in America i practically built this country. revolution is so my thing. after all did you see my statue in new york its like huge.
Oh no...a proxy threat from a buffoon. I better get down on my knees and pray for forgiveness or else it's BBQ time for me. Lame.
how do you know this....
all seeing invisible man talking to you in your dreams?
read it in the not oft edited bible... which version did you read exactly..assuming you can read.
Recipe for water: Place two H's near a single O. Stand back. Viola: Water.
Bring it on Sky Fairy!
lol! just another simpleton that falls for that whole "eternal life" scam.
Retake your science classes until you stop getting F's.
Some have, I'm going by thee intelligence level out there in some of these comments. If there are any aliens out there, this is one planet where they won't find much intelligent life.
So if turning to science is so bad, are we to assume that you don't seek medical attention when ill?
LOL
First off for a Christian to be all crazy about the ten commandments that a little I just I don't know. Real Christians know that after Christ death the ten commands were to be follow by the spirit of the law but Christians are not exactly under the mosaic law aka the ten commandments. The Jews would be more inclined to want to see them in the court house. The laws in themselves make since so I am not sure why people have issues with them. Okay if you none religious or whatever take out the first four but after that.. Would you like you mate to faithful to you? You want people to be murder, steal, cheat, set you up to take your stuff, lie on you in a court of law. Why don't you stop taking things so serious and acting like that such a serious offense to you. So now you Okay with someone putting up a statue of something that by all means the personification of evil, where as murder, stealing, cheating, lying is okay.. in a court of officials.. yeah you guys do what you want but you crack me up.
Wrong. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
'Why don't you stop taking things so serious and acting like that such a serious offense to you.'
shouldnt you be taking your own advice? after all you decided to get annoyed enough about it to moan.
What's your problem with the goatboy statue?
Take some advice from our founding fathers:
"But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." -Thomas Jefferson, 1782.
"real" Christian is a misnomer.
If the people in Oklahoma want to put up a statue that reflects their culture and values, how about a redneck lying on a couch holding a welfare check, a remote and cradling a shotgun?
Clueless doesn't begin to fathom that comment. You obviously have never set foot in this fine State, and we would ask that you never do.
How about a statue of Indians be displaced and slaughtered?
don't forget the bible...
put the crack pipe down and go back to sleep zombie.
id donate $1,000 for that,