This was a religious hate crime, plain and simple.
this post was submitted on 18 Dec 2023
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From the satanic temple FAQ
DO YOU WORSHIP SATAN?
No, nor do we believe in the existence of Satan or the supernatural. The Satanic Temple believes that religion can, and should, be divorced from superstition. As such, we do not promote a belief in a personal Satan. To embrace the name Satan is to embrace rational inquiry removed from supernaturalism and archaic tradition-based superstitions. Satanists should actively work to hone critical thinking and exercise reasonable agnosticism in all things. Our beliefs must be malleable to the best current scientific understandings of the material world — never the reverse.
I think I am a Satanist now.
A lot of people would be if they could look past the Satan iconography. It's not about Satan, it's about personal freedom, respect, and equality.
Most rational atheists are without knowing it.
Hell yeah, join the club. You can even get membership cards, and membership certificates: https://thesatanictemple.com/pages/join-us#join-become-form
On X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: "My deepest hope is that Americans of all political persuasions can unite and agree that: 1. Jesus Christ is Lord 2. Satan is evil."
Uh, no dork, we're not going to do that.
In a country with religious freedom as a base, not everyone is going to be part of the same religion and not should they be. The first item on his list is just blatantly un-American.
the funniest part is that the Founding Fathers, having just created the Constitution, decided to kick things off with a list of 10 Amendments, they called the Bill of Rights. a list of things that should apply to all citizens. the very first thing they put on their list of important shit, was the First Amendment itself, which states:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free 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.
so this shitbag doesn't even know the First Amendment, written by the Founding Fathers, to the Constitution he swore to uphold on joining the military service.
or prohibiting the free exercise of
See that's where they fucked up
Keep that shit in church or your home. No one outside of those places gives a shit
Americans of all political persuasions can unite and agree that: 1. Jesus Christ is Lord
no dork, we’re not going to do that.
The next step is to claim that, since you don't believe that JC is Lord, you're not an American. And if you're not an American, they're fine with persecuting you.
Yep. Not even speculation. Look how upset they get when someone is sworn into office on something besides a bible, as if being a Christian is a requirement to hold office. No shame or second thoughts.
There was a court case I read about decades ago in American Atheist, a publication by Madalyn O'Hair, who was a separation of church and state activist. It involved someone (maybe her?) testifying in a court case in Texas, and they didn't want to swear on a bible. The judge determined that they couldn't believe any testimony from someone who wouldn't swear on a bible because they didn't 'believe in a future state of reward or punishment'... as in an afterlife in heaven or hell. Just nuts. That's seriously the only thing keeping Christians moral? The threat of hell or promise of heaven?
- Jesus Christ is Lord
He is not, in any christian denomination lol. What a blasphemy!
- Satan is evil.
Satan is a questionable topic, if they even exists in original scriptures. Before fic lit like Paradise Lost and the Divine Comedy they didn't get registered as their own entiity.
I love it when I see these dudes getting schooled in their own religion.
If God did exist, he'd probably strike these blasphemous bastards off the planet first and foremost 😂
Jesus would definitely be oiling up his whip.
On X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: "My deepest hope is that Americans of all political persuasions can unite and agree that: 1. Jesus Christ is Lord 2. Satan is evil."
Definition
Iowa Code ¬ß 708.3 defines hate crimes as criminal offenses committed with the intent of intimidating or coercing someone due to prejudice against a group of people based on their ‚race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, sex, or sexual orientation.‚ Such hate crimes include both physical and verbal acts of aggression, property damage, and threats of harm.
Types of Charges
Under Iowa law, the scope of behavior considered to be a hate crime includes, but is not limited to, assaults, aggravated assaults, stalking, criminal mischief, destruction of property, and intimidation. The degree of seriousness of an offense can increase if it has been determined to be a hate:based crime. This can occur if such motivation can be demonstrated; this determination is normally made by prosecutors. If a criminal charge meets the criteria of an Iowa hate crime, the offense can be charged as a separate hate crime.
Aggravating Factors
If there is sufficient evidence to support the presence of hate:based motivations in an offense, the charge may be upgraded to a more serious offense. The possible upgrades include assigning a simple misdemeanor or aggravated misdemeanor offense, instead of a simple misdemeanor, or increasing the level of felony charge by one or two levels. For example, if a suspect committed a burglary in a home and it can be clearly established that the offense was motivated by racism, the charge can be enhanced to a Class C Felony. Alongside such upgrades, hate:based crimes can attract additional conditions during sentencing.
Fourth degree criminal mischief… it’s a slap on the wrist. If someone had beheaded an effigy of Jesus, they’d be throwing the whole entire book at them. Rules for thee but not for me…
Enrique Tarrio attacked a religious display, was charged "misdemeanor destruction of property" and got 155 days prison.
Satan is evil
Then why destroy this innocent statue of Baphomet?
dude should've First Amendment'd more.
Just like everything else, Republicans fucking LOVE the first amendment until it's turned against them.
Thats where you're wrong, this in absolutely no way shape or form turned against them. Someone decided to play victim and PRETEND it was turned against them.
Republicans love the Constitution until they actually find out what's in it... much the same as many Christians love the Bible until they find out what's in it.
The punishment for this charge can only amount to, at most, a slap on the wrist. If it were any other religions monument, it would result in, at least, a felony, and possibly a hate crime charge.
christ is used like a brand name nowadays right? its not like any of these people are acting in the words written in his name.
Oh Jesus is too liberal for those folks. It's just the unchecked authoritarianism they love.
Where can we donate to have the display redone?
I don't know that it will be specifically used for that, but everyone should donate to them: https://thesatanictemple.com/pages/donate
They really are fighting the good fight.
I think they were only supposed to be up for a limited window and they were near the end of their scheduled time.
Yep I see that in the article now that you've mentioned it. Still, it would be nice to out-fundraise the hate-criminal's defense fund.
Especially since DeSantis is claiming support of this ass-hat
Fucked around with the First Amendment and found out.
Find out how soft a wrist slap actually feels?
I mean, if I beheaded a Jesus I would expect a slap on the wrist for destruction of property.
I’d argue the purpose of putting that up in the first place was to have it vandalized. As a card carrying member of the Satanic Temple, I assure you, we are all giggling.
This guy caught a hate crime charge.
https://nypost.com/2022/10/05/man-destroyed-queen-church-statue-defecated-on-sign/
I tried finding more analogous examples, but it seems like most of the nativity vandals get away with their crimes. I found several news stories, but they always end with "police are hoping the public might have more info..."
I think when you stop to drop a deuce, that doubles the charge.
Yeah, that's fair.
He was lucky not to be charged with trying to exclude the religious rights of others. Dumb ass.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.