By Peter Pinedo

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 14, 2023 / 18:15 pm

The Satanic Temple display in the Iowa state capitol building is not protected by the First Amendment, a Catholic legal expert told CNA.

Andrea Picciotti-Bayer, a legal analyst for EWTN, told CNA that the display installed at the request of a prominent atheist group is not religious expression but rather about making a mockery of religion.

  • voidMainVoid@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    She’s lying.

    Even though the founders of The Satanic Temple claim not to really be Satanists …

    They are Satanists, and they say that they’re Satanists. They’ve never said any different.

    • gregorum@lemm.ee
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      11 months ago

      Exactly. Who the hell are the Catholic Church to define Satanism for these Satanists? They might as well try to define what Islam is for Muslims while they’re at it. Lol

    • ShunkW@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      Right. They’ve said they don’t worship Satan. Rather that Satan is used as a symbol of rebellion.

    • Case@lemmynsfw.com
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      11 months ago

      The TST may not believe in Satan as a literal figure, but as a religious icon.

      Iconography is a popular expression of faith, especially in certain Orthodox Christian groups.

      Therefore, the use of Satan as an icon to inspire certain beliefs is right inline with their own usage of iconography.

      Their in the previous sentence being Christians as a whole, not just Catholicism.

      Besides, TST is an atheistic interpretation of Satanism, whereas there are definitely Theistic Satanists.

        • Case@lemmynsfw.com
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          11 months ago

          Not so much a point, just taking it as a chance to broaden someone’s horizons, not you specifically.

          Just used to a lot of heavy Christian propaganda in my geographic region, I try to combat misinformation when I can, and sometimes all it takes is a little real information.

          It rarely works, but occasionally you get a couple (in a life time) that are open to new information.