The Satanic Temple says it will bring its 7½-foot bronze Baphomet statue to the state Capitol in Little Rock as part of a protest next month to defend religious freedom. The rally, planned for Aug. 16, “is intended to bring together religious leaders of different faiths to discuss the importance of the First Amendment and its protection for religious pluralism,” the group said in a news release. “Freedom of Religion means that the government must not be allowed to endorse one religion over another or inhibit any religious voices from access to public forums in favor of another,” Satanic Temple spokesman Lucien Greaves said. Greaves, who uses a pseudonym, added that the protest “isn’t a rally of secularists versus people of faith, Satanists versus Christians, or outsiders versus Arkansas.” Lawmakers have blocked the group’s efforts to place a statue of Baphomet — a part-man, part-goat deity — alongside the Ten … [Read more...] about Satanic Temple plans to bring statue to protest at Arkansas Capitol
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Satanic Temple plans Arkansas rally at Capitol, with emblematic statue
click to enlarge COMING TO ARKANSAS: The statue of Baphomet. The Satanic Temple, a group contesting the placement of a 10 Commandments monument on the Capitol grounds, will bring its Baphomet statue to the Arkansas Capitol for a "Rally for the First Amendment" from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 16. The rally will protest the state's decision to favor one religion, Christianity, over others in allowing Sen. Jason Rapert's 10 commandments slab while prohibiting others. Rapert argues that the memorial is NOT about religion, though his words and those of other legislators in the course of authorizing the installation suggest otherwise. Said the Temple's release: The rally is intended to bring together religious leaders of different faiths to discuss the importance of the First Amendment and its protection for religious pluralism as being essential to preserve American democracy. According to The Satanic Temple’s spokesperson, Lucien Greaves, “Freedom of Religion means that the … [Read more...] about Satanic Temple plans Arkansas rally at Capitol, with emblematic statue
Satanic Temple plans to bring Baphomet statue to protest at Arkansas Capitol
The Satanic Temple says it will bring its 7½-foot bronze Baphomet statue to the state Capitol in Little Rock as part of a protest next month to defend religious freedom. The rally, planned for Aug. 16, “is intended to bring together religious leaders of different faiths to discuss the importance of the First Amendment and its protection for religious pluralism,” the group said in a news release. “Freedom of Religion means that the government must not be allowed to endorse one religion over another or inhibit any religious voices from access to public forums in favor of another,” Satanic Temple spokesman Lucien Greaves said. Greaves, who uses a pseudonym, added that the protest “isn’t a rally of secularists versus people of faith, Satanists versus Christians, or outsiders versus Arkansas.” Lawmakers have blocked the group’s efforts to place a statue of Baphomet — a part-man, part-goat deity — alongside the Ten … [Read more...] about Satanic Temple plans to bring Baphomet statue to protest at Arkansas Capitol
Arkansas secretary of state objects to Satanic Temple’s role in suit, calls it a ‘front’
Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin formally objected late last week to The Satanic Temple's request to intervene in a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a Ten Commandments monument on the state Capitol grounds. Then on Friday, four members of a walking and cycling group who filed the lawsuit also objected, saying the claims asserted by the proposed intervenors are "different, broader and bear only tangential relation" to the group member's claims. The walking group members, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, filed one of two lawsuits over the monument May 23. The other lawsuit was filed by a coalition of people representing various religions and secular groups. Because both groups contend that the monument violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause by constituting a state-sanctioned endorsement of one religion, and both seek the monument's removal, U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker agreed last month to merge the lawsuits into one. … [Read more...] about Arkansas secretary of state objects to Satanic Temple’s role in suit, calls it a ‘front’
Martin: Satanic Temple a ‘front’
Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin formally objected late last week to The Satanic Temple's request to intervene in a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a Ten Commandments monument on the state Capitol grounds. Then on Friday, four members of a walking and cycling group who filed the lawsuit also objected, saying the claims asserted by the proposed intervenors are "different, broader and bear only tangential relation" to the group member's claims. The walking group members, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, filed one of two lawsuits over the monument May 23. The other lawsuit was filed by a coalition of people representing various religions and secular groups. Because both groups contend that the monument violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause by constituting a state-sanctioned endorsement of one religion, and both seek the monument's removal, U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker agreed last month to merge the lawsuits into one. … [Read more...] about Martin: Satanic Temple a ‘front’