The debate over ‘freedom of religion’
in America … expressed in public places … rages on. Oklahoma state's
legislature recently approved a monument of the Ten Commandments on public ground.
A group called ‘The Satanic Temple’ has
followed suit, claiming Oklahoma's actions have paved the way for a “public-friendly”
Satan-related monument “for young children.” The move is a clear attempt to make a
statement. The fact is: The Satanic
Temple is based in New York state … even though they are petitioning for a
monument in Oklahoma.
The Satanic Temple has launched a
crowd-funding campaign on Indiegogo (an international fund-raising site where anyone can raise money)
in an attempt to procure the financial backing to construct the Satanic monument.
If the organization does succeed in
raising the money, it is believed that the bid will be rejected by Oklahoma
lawmakers. In that case, The Satanic
Temple says, “all funds will go toward efforts to appeal or contest the
rejection, and/or place another Satanic monument in another relevant location.”
As of a few weeks ago, the campaign
has only raised $120 of its $20,000 goal. Advocates claim that the benefits of erecting
their Satanic monument next to the Ten Commandments would include: sending a
message to the world that the U.S. embraces its pluralism, promoting
non-discrimination, upholding the Constitution, appeasing the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), creating an “object of play for
young children,” and (of course) providing “an homage to Satan.”
The ACLU is on the same page as The Satanic Temple. Brady Henderson, legal director for ACLU Oklahoma, said: “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. 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.”
Lucien Greaves, the man behind the
push for a Satanic monument, launched an unsuccessful effort a few months ago
to garner support for The Satanic Temple's participation in New York's Adopt-a-Highway Campaign. Amazingly, that venture found 67 funders and
raised $2,244. The AP reports that Greaves credits Republicans and Rep. Mike Ritze in
particular for furthering the Satanic cause: “He [Rep. Ritze] is 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 Satanic Temple's attempts to
become relevant and make a statement on religious freedom will likely drag on
far beyond the monument bid.
For me, the difference between these
two monuments would be like the contrasts of day and night; life and death;
truth and lies … for these are among the dissimilarities between the religion
of Judeo-Christians and the occult of Satanism.
The followers of Satan are as ‘fallen’ as the one they worship. Is there really a need for a monument to a
defeated foe? Lord knows, there is a dire
need within our society for the Godly principles of life and living as found in
the Ten Commandments. They certainly
shouldn’t share the some real estate … any more than they are a part of the
same kingdom.
Rev.
Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain
(Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor,
Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel
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