Freedom Of Religion For Some? Iowa Senator Takes Stand Against 'Satanism'

This development comes in the wake of an incident involving a Christian veteran who vandalized a holiday display set up by the Satanic Temple in the state Capitol. The veteran has since been charged with a hate crime.

The Satanic Temple, despite its name, does not profess belief in Satan. Instead, it employs the ethos of Satan to advocate for ritual abortion, state funding, and libertine lifestyles. The organization is known for its lawsuits against public schools in an attempt to establish After School Satan Clubs across the United States.

The proposed bill states, "The state or any political subdivision of the state shall not recognize organizations or individuals who refer to Satan as a deity, worship Satan, or who reference Satan or Satanism as part of the organization's or individual's religious practice as an establishment of religion."

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It further stipulates that "Displays, symbols, or the practice of Satanic worship shall not be allowed on public property, in public schools, on property owned by public schools, or on any property owned by the state or its political subdivisions." The bill also prohibits any Satanic practice or worship involving the taking of a life or the shedding of blood, whether the sacrifice be an animal or human.

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February 08, 2024

Senator Salmon contends that "evil is personified in the creature known as Satan," and that "it is the duty of the government to play an appropriate role in protecting the inhabitant residents of Iowa from evil while encouraging and facilitating good."

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She argues that it is "legally and constitutionally inconsistent" to allow Satan, "who is universally understood to be an enemy of God," religious expression on public property by a state government that "depends upon God for continued blessings." She asserts that such a legal view "violates our state constitution and offends the God upon whom we depend and undermines our well-being."

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While Salmon's bill has garnered support from some quarters, it has also attracted criticism from non-Christians who argue that it infringes upon citizens' freedom of religion. Hemant Mehta, for instance, has labeled it a "blatantly illegal" attempt by Christian lawmakers to "promote their faith while denigrating others."

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Lucien Greaves, co-founder of the Satanic Temple, cautioned Salmon that "while you might not like public displays of one type, there is a whole unraveling that takes place when you start allowing the government to pick and choose which forms of expression they agree with, narrow their definition of what they think an appropriate religion is, and also try to give nonbelief in general a lower tier in citizenship."

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The Satanic Temple was not established as a religion but was primarily intended to protest against organized religion. If the bill is passed, it would amend existing laws, making violation of the stipulated rules a criminal offense subject to prosecution.