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NeoGreen

(4,033 posts)
Wed Dec 19, 2018, 08:59 AM Dec 2018

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

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.
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A "Snaketivity" Display in the Illinois Capitol is Still Angering Conservatives (Original Post) NeoGreen Dec 2018 OP
Damn it! underpants Dec 2018 #1
Absolute bullshit!!! "We are a Christian nation" n/t RKP5637 Dec 2018 #2
Not a Satanic one either, I'm afraid whathehell Dec 2018 #4
Yep! n/t RKP5637 Dec 2018 #7
Are the Satanists trying to get the Christmas tree taken down? Mariana Dec 2018 #14
Lol, I never said they did. whathehell Dec 2018 #15
It isn't really all that bizarre. Mariana Dec 2018 #16
It seems so to me.. whathehell Dec 2018 #17
What would you suggest? Mariana Dec 2018 #18
Beyond forbidding all religious symbols from public property whathehell Dec 2018 #19
So, you criticize them, but you have no better ideas. Mariana Dec 2018 #20
An affront to reason Cartoonist Dec 2018 #3
No more so than "Satanism" whathehell Dec 2018 #5
Angel Heart reference. Act_of_Reparation Dec 2018 #6
Yes, indeed whathehell Dec 2018 #8
Screw "conservatives" who don't believe in freedom of religion... TreasonousBastard Dec 2018 #9
I don't see any Trump Store ads. trotsky Dec 2018 #11
I thought of that-- something in my browser history asked for that ad... TreasonousBastard Dec 2018 #12
Meh, it probably just makes the connection that you visit political sites. trotsky Dec 2018 #13
When you're accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression Major Nikon Dec 2018 #10

Mariana

(15,206 posts)
14. Are the Satanists trying to get the Christmas tree taken down?
Wed Dec 19, 2018, 05:04 PM
Dec 2018

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

whathehell

(29,875 posts)
15. Lol, I never said they did.
Thu Dec 20, 2018, 04:04 AM
Dec 2018

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

whathehell

(29,875 posts)
17. It seems so to me..
Thu Dec 20, 2018, 11:33 AM
Dec 2018

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

(15,206 posts)
18. What would you suggest?
Thu Dec 20, 2018, 12:33 PM
Dec 2018

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

(29,875 posts)
19. Beyond forbidding all religious symbols from public property
Thu Dec 20, 2018, 05:34 PM
Dec 2018

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

(15,206 posts)
20. So, you criticize them, but you have no better ideas.
Thu Dec 20, 2018, 05:51 PM
Dec 2018

What a surprise.

I shall enjoy my evening, thank you.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
9. Screw "conservatives" who don't believe in freedom of religion...
Wed Dec 19, 2018, 09:33 AM
Dec 2018

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

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
11. I don't see any Trump Store ads.
Wed Dec 19, 2018, 10:45 AM
Dec 2018

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

(43,049 posts)
12. I thought of that-- something in my browser history asked for that ad...
Wed Dec 19, 2018, 11:36 AM
Dec 2018

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

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
13. Meh, it probably just makes the connection that you visit political sites.
Wed Dec 19, 2018, 02:13 PM
Dec 2018

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

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