[DiamondSmiles]

at Oklahoma Legislature

By Sean Murphy, The Associated Press

December 9, 2013

OKLAHOMA CITY -- In their zeal to tout their faith in the public square, conservatives in Oklahoma may have unwittingly opened the door to a wide range of religious groups, including satanists who are seeking to put their own statue next to a Ten Commandments monument on the Statehouse steps.

The Republican-controlled Legislature in this state known as the buckle of the Bible Belt authorized the privately funded Ten Commandments monument in 2009, and it was placed on the Capitol grounds last year despite criticism from legal experts who questioned its constitutionality. The Oklahoma chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit seeking its removal.

But, the New York-based Satanic Temple saw an opportunity. It notified the state's Capitol Preservation Commission that it wants to donate a monument and plans to submit one of several possible designs this month, said Lucien Greaves, a spokesman for the temple.

"We believe that all monuments should be in good taste and consistent with community standards," Greaves wrote in letter to state officials. "Our proposed monument, as an homage to the historic/literary Satan, will certainly abide by these guidelines."

Greaves said one potential design involves a pentagram, a satanic symbol, while another is meant to be an interactive display for children. He said he expects the monument, if approved by Oklahoma officials, would cost about $20,000.

Rep. Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, who spearheaded the push for the Ten Commandments monument and whose family helped pay the $10,000 for its construction, declined to comment on the Satanic Temple's effort, but Greaves credited Ritze for opening the door to the group's proposal.

"He's helping a satanic agenda grow more than any of us possibly could," Greaves said. "You don't walk around and see too many satanic temples around, but when you open the door to public spaces for us, that's when you're going to see us."

The Oklahoma Legislature has taken other steps that many believe blur the line that divides church and state. The House speaker said he wants to build a chapel inside the Capitol to celebrate Oklahoma's "Judeo-Christian heritage." Several lawmakers have said they want to allow nativity scenes and other religious-themed symbols in public schools.

Rep. Bobby Cleveland, who plans to introduce a one such bill next year, said many Christians feel they are under attack as a result of political correctness. He dismissed the notion of Satanists erecting a monument at the Capitol.

"I think these Satanists are a different group," Cleveland, R-Slaughterville, said. "You put them under the nut category."

Brady Henderson, legal director for ACLU Oklahoma, said if state officials allow one type of religious expression, they must allow alternative forms of expression, although he said a better solution might be to allow none at all on state property.

"We would prefer to see Oklahoma's government officials work to faithfully serve our communities and improve the lives of Oklahomans instead of erecting granite monuments to show us all how righteous they are," Henderson said.

"But if the Ten Commandments, with its overtly Christian message, is allowed to stay at the Capitol, the Satanic Temple's proposed monument cannot be rejected because of its different religious viewpoint."

A Ten Commandments monument erected outside the Oklahoma state Capitol is shown in November, 2012.
Sean Murphy / AP file

[invertigo]

Awesome, a taste of their own medicine.

This illustrates perfectly why separation between church and state is absolutely crucial to maintain a functioning society. These guys should of spent less time lobbying against gay marriage and crying about prayer being taken out of the classroom, and actually paid attention to what they were passing. Witless sheep. We've all seen how great Theocracy's worked in the middle east

[invertigo]

Originally Posted by diamondsmiles ↗

"I think these Satanists are a different group," Cleveland, R-Slaughterville, said. "You put them under the nut category."

...Says the man living in 'Slaughterville'

[Pyramid_Head]

Fair is fair I suppose.

[Sharon]

Homaging Satan is not going to be welcomed

[Sharon]

Is it more of a occult following than a religion?

We had satanists living in our area in Scotland. They stole some neighbourhood cats and their mutilated bodies were found up in the Bathgate Hills where they often practiced. They were charged.

My cat was one of them

[Hobbslefthand]

Pea brained adults and politics should not be allowed to mix. This world has more serious problems to contend with.
To hell with both sides.

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by invertigo ↗

...Says the man living in 'Slaughterville'

That cracked me up!

I'm glad someone else caught it. I knew at least one of you wouldn't let me down

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by Sharon. ↗

Is it more of a occult following than a religion?

We had satanists living in our area in Scotland. They stole some neighbourhood cats and their mutilated bodies were found up in the Bathgate Hills where they often practiced. They were charged.

My cat was one of them

Awww! I'm sorry to hear that, Shaz <3

Technically, I believe, it is considered a religion.

[invertigo]

Originally Posted by Sharon. ↗

Is it more of a occult following than a religion?

We had satanists living in our area in Scotland. They stole some neighbourhood cats and their mutilated bodies were found up in the Bathgate Hills where they often practiced. They were charged.

My cat was one of them

If I could get my hands on anyone who tried to hurt a cat like that, they would end up with their head in a bucket