Satanists plan statue to stand alongside Ten Commandments in Oklahoma

Satanists plan statue to stand alongside Ten Commandments in Oklahoma

A decision to erect a Christian monument outside the statehouse could backfire as satanists demand religious parity

Associated Press in Oklahoma City

theguardian.com, Sunday 8 December 2013 14.22 EST           

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/08/satan-ten-commandments-oklahoma-city

In their zeal to tout their faith in the public square, conservatives in Oklahoma may have unwittingly opened the door to a wide range of religious groups, including Satanists who are seeking to put their own statue next to a Ten Commandments monument outside the statehouse.

The Republican-controlled legislature in the state known as the buckle of the Bible Belt authorised the privately funded Ten Commandments monument in 2009. It was placed on the Capitol grounds last year despite criticism from legal experts, who questioned its constitutionality. The Oklahoma chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit seeking its removal.

But the New York-based Satanic Temple saw an opportunity. It notified the state's Capitol Preservation Commission that it wants to donate a monument and plans to submit one of several possible designs this month, said Lucien Greaves, a spokesman for the temple.

"We believe that all monuments should be in good taste and consistent with community standards," Greaves wrote in letter to state officials. "Our proposed monument, as an homage to the historic/literary Satan, will certainly abide by these guidelines."

Greaves said one potential design involves a pentagram, a satanic symbol, while another is meant to be an interactive display for children. He said he expects the monument, if approved by Oklahoma officials, would cost about $20,000.

The Republican state representative Mike Ritze, who spearheaded the push for the Ten Commandments monument and whose family helped pay the $10,000 for its construction, declined to comment on the Satanic Temple's effort, but Greaves credited Ritze for opening the door to his group's proposal.

"He's helping a satanic agenda grow more than any of us possibly could," Greaves said. "You don't walk around and see too many satanic temples around, but when you open the door to public spaces for us, that's when you're going to see us."

The Oklahoma legislature has taken other steps that many believe blur the line that divides church and state. The House speaker said he wants to build a chapel inside the Capitol to celebrate Oklahoma's "Judeo-Christian heritage". Several lawmakers have said they want to allow nativity scenes and other religious-themed symbols in public schools.

The Republican representative Bobby Cleveland, who plans to introduce one such bill next year, said many Christians feel they are under attack as a result of political correctness. He dismissed the notion of Satanists erecting a monument at the Capitol.

"I think these Satanists are a different group," Cleveland said. "You put them under the nut category."

Brady Henderson, the legal director for ACLU Oklahoma, said if state officials allow one type of religious expression, they must allow alternative forms of expression, although he said a better solution might be to allow none at all on state property.

"We would prefer to see Oklahoma's government officials work to faithfully serve our communities and improve the lives of Oklahomans instead of erecting granite monuments to show us all how righteous they are," Henderson said. "But if the Ten Commandments, with its overtly Christian message, is allowed to stay at the Capitol, the Satanic Temple's proposed monument cannot be rejected because of its different religious viewpoint."

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Aryeh Neier was an executive director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the president of the Open Society Foundations, an executive director for the Human Rights Watch, is a director at the Center for American Progress, and the vice chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Note: Morton H. Halperin was a director, Washington office for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, and is a senior adviser for the Open Society Foundations.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Human Rights Watch, the Center for American Progress, and the American Constitution Society.

George Soros was a benefactor for Human Rights Watch, a supporter for the Center for American Progress, is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations, and the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Human Rights Watch, and the Center for American Progress.

Caroline Fredrickson was the Washington legislative director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and is the president of the American Constitution Society.

Dawn E. Johnsen was counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a director nominee, Office of Legal Counsel for the Barack Obama administration, and is a director at the American Constitution Society.

Janet Reno is a board of adviser’s member for the American Constitution Society, and was the attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice.

Eric H. Holder Jr. was a board member for the American Constitution Society, and is the attorney general at the U.S. Department of Justice for the Barack Obama administration.

Robert Raben was a director at the American Constitution Society, an assistant attorney general at the U.S. Department of Justice, and is the president of the Raben Group.

Raben Group was the lobby firm for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Melody C. Barnes was a principal for the Raben Group, the EVP for the Center for American Progress, the domestic policy council, director for the Barack Obama administration, and is Barack Obama’s golf partner.