WHAT’S BEING CLAIMED:
- A satanic statue from Chicago’s Satanic Temple was allowed to be displayed starting Monday at the Capitol building in Springfield,
- It joined other displays including a Nativity scene and a menorah, and will remain on display until the end of the month.
- Some residents think it’s a form of speech but some disapprove of it saying it is unsuitable for display.
The State Capital of Illinois is greeting the holidays with a holly, menorah, and a satanic statue.
On display in the lobby of the Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois since Monday, the roughly four and half feet tall and 18 inches long statue portrays a snake coiled around an arm holding an apple with an inscription that says, ‘knowledge is the greatest gift’.
According to Dave Druker, a spokesman for the office of the Secretary of State, the Satanic Temple of Chicago was granted permission to place their statue in the state’s Capitol until the end of the month.
Druker told CNN that the scenario is like a First Amendment issue, where other displays include a Hanukkah menorah and Nativity scene.
“Aside from hate speeches and other unacceptable things, if you have displays of one type you need to be consistent and allow everyone to do so,” added Druker.
Druker is not yet sure how many people have actually seen the statue, but he says talk has slowly been stirring up with reactions ranging from supportive to outrage.
CNN’s WMBF reports that Illinois resident Wayne Rovey thinks it’s a form of a freedom of speech and of which he doesn’t have a problem with. Shellie Berg, on the other hand, thinks the display is offensive. “I think it’s inappropriate because it’s not something that should be displayed for a lot of people to be offended by, Berg told WMBF.
According to the satanic group’s website, the members are all atheists who embrace community activism and believe that people should “strive to act with compassion and empathy to all creatures.”
Additionally, the website stated that they do not advocate a belief in a personal Satan.
“To embrace the name Satan is to embrace rational inquiry removed from supernaturalism and archaic tradition-based superstitions,” explained the group.
Source: CNN
