A "Snaketivity" Display in the Illinois Capitol is Still Angering Conservatives

[NeoGreen]

https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2018/12/18/a-snaketivity-display-in-the-illinois-capitol-is-still-angering-conservatives/

A “Snaketivity” Display in the Illinois Capitol is Still Angering Conservatives
By Hemant Mehta, December 18, 2018

The Satanic display in the Illinois Capitol can’t catch a break. The display, which says “Knowledge is the Greatest Gift” and features a woman’s hand holding an apple while a snake surrounds it, is infuriating Christians who can’t believe they have to share public space with an idea that makes them uncomfortable.

As we noted earlier, Republican State Sen. Paul Schimpf sent a letter to the secretary of state demanding the removal of the “Snaketivity.”

Now we know he’s not alone.

Over the weekend, a Pennsylvania-based Catholic group called the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property held a protest against the display outside the Capitol.

“No government entity should promote the father of lies, as this is contrary to the good they are called to uphold in society,” Preston Noell, with the society’s Chicago chapter, said Sunday. “These public Satanic offenses are a direct mockery of Christ’s nativity and these attacks must be met with opposition, which we are adhering to with prayer.”

Noell said the Satanic display was one of several attempts to “shut down” Christians and “attack Christian civilization.”

“We are a Christian nation,” Noell said. “We believe in our Lord Jesus Christ … and to equate Satanism with anything that is religious like this is an affront to reason.”

Just to be clear, this Catholic is angry about a display that celebrates knowledge because he thinks it mocks his faith. He’s really just proving their point… In any case, it’s not an attempt to shut down Christians, because the Satanists made it clear they just wanted the same treatment afforded to other religious groups. Not special rights. Equal rights.

And it’s hard to believe this group really cares about what’s good in society when the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania was the subject of the grand jury report listing hundreds of abusive priests and more than a thousand victims.

[underpants]

1. Damn it!

[RKP5637]

2. Absolute bullshit!!! "We are a Christian nation" n/t

[whathehell]

4. Not a Satanic one either, I'm afraid

[RKP5637]

7. Yep! n/t

[Mariana]

14. Are the Satanists trying to get the Christmas tree taken down?

No, they are not. Preston Noell is lying outright about that. In this story, only Christians want to shut down opposing ideas.

[whathehell]

15. Lol, I never said they did.

and Mr. Noell may be lying, but the whole story is bizarre.

[Mariana]

16. It isn't really all that bizarre.

Similar stories come up just about every year. Christmas display goes up on public property, usually but not always a nativity scene. Non-Christian display also goes up on public property. Christians are offended and try to get non-Christian display banned, and/or they vandalize it.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vandals-attack-satanic-pentagram-erected-as-atheist-protest-to-nativity-scene-florida/

https://www.wlwt.com/article/banner-at-controversial-indiana-nativity-vandalized/3561159

https://ffrf.org/news/news-releases/item/28721-ffrf-claims-victory-in-connecticut-censorship-suit

https://dailyvoice.com/connecticut/ridgefield/news/reward-offered-after-vandals-slash-winter-solstice-banner-in-shelton/694619/

http://www.myballard.com/2017/12/14/menorah-vandalized-at-bergen-place-park/

[whathehell]

17. It seems so to me..

I'm a firm believer in the separation of church and state. That said, I don't think a "satanist" display is the best way tomake that point. To each his own.

[Mariana]

18. What would you suggest?

The lawsuits concerning government promotion of one particular religion normally don't end up with a ban on religious displays on public property. They usually get a ruling that if the religious Christmas displays are permitted on public property, then others must be permitted as well.

The Satanic Temple is a non-theistic organization. Have you seen a picture of the Satanic Temple's sculpture? It isn't obscene or profane. There isn't anything objectively offensive about it.

[whathehell]

19. Beyond forbidding all religious symbols from public property

I have no suggestions. In addition, I have no interest in pursuing the subject further, as I don't see it as one of our more pressing national issues.
If you feel otherwise, please feel free to find others who share that view, as I am no longer "on board" if you will. Enjoy your evening.

[Mariana]

20. So, you criticize them, but you have no better ideas.

What a surprise.

I shall enjoy my evening, thank you.

[Cartoonist]

3. An affront to reason

Tell me about it, Padre.

[whathehell]

5. No more so than "Satanism"

Tell us about it, Mr. Cifer.

[Act_of_Reparation]

6. Angel Heart reference.

10 points to Gryffindor.

[whathehell]

8. Yes, indeed

Lou Cipher.

[TreasonousBastard]

9. Screw "conservatives" who don't believe in freedom of religion...

And has anyone else noticed the Trump Store ad on the Friendly Atheist site?

[trotsky]

11. I don't see any Trump Store ads.

But then again website owners don't generally have control over that. Google (or whoever the ad sponsor is) displays the ads that target you based on your browsing history, etc.

[TreasonousBastard]

12. I thought of that-- something in my browser history asked for that ad...

Although I can't imagine what that might be, that it happened is cause for concern.

[trotsky]

13. Meh, it probably just makes the connection that you visit political sites.

Trump Store is probably paying extra for more exposure. Desperate to scam the suckers while they can.

[Major Nikon]

10. When you're accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression

-- anonymous