The Satanic Temple Submits Monument Design to Oklahoma City

[SkullKing]

http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases...ity-426527.htm

Personally I think this is really cool(not that I think it will happen), both for the monument design itself(there is a picture at the link) and for the initiative.

I also like the first two quotes, not so keen on Blake´s

[Andara Bledin]

Someone over at Ars Technica suggested that if they were mayor (and weren't worried about re-election) that they'd totally let it go up just for the tourism revenue.

Though I'm not sure it would be enough to offset the money spent dealing with the inevitable vandalism from both detractors and likely some of those tourists.

[gremcint]

I'm really curious what people in the states would respond to better: a muslim temple or a satanist temple.

[fireheart17]

I'm really curious what people in the states would respond to better: a muslim temple or a satanist temple.

Neither. They'd respond to a church that looks like a penis though

[Gravekeeper]

I'm really curious what people in the states would respond to better: a muslim temple or a satanist temple.

I'm going to say Satanist temple. The Devil you know and what not. No one's on Fox ranting about secret Satanists trying to implement Satanist law.

[Kara_CS]

Indeed. Just tune in to Fox News, they'll tell you about how all Muslims are terrorists.

[D_Yeti_Esquire]

My guess is people will probably flip because on the whole I don't think most people tend to view satanists as an actual religion and more like... well a bit. So using the auspicies of a religion to get into the capital is going to fire off the whole "Look what happens when you invite everyone. SEE!?"

On the whole, some people may not like Muslims but they do get that it is in fact a closely held religion.

I'm guessing it gets denied and then a lawsuit happens. Just a guess though.

Also - and this is just a practical question related to protection of religious symbols appearing in public locations, how many adherents does a religion have to hold in a religion to force a symbol into that location. I don't know the answer to that myself, but it's probably something that needs to be answered because while protection of religion is a thing, so is lack of real estate. So often I wonder if the entire exercise is an excuse to try to get Judeo-Christian symbols out simply by abusing the system to absurdity. I guess we'll know if the Jedi contingent of OKC proffers a monument.

[HYHYBT]

I've run into people who insist Islam is not a religion.

[BlaqueKatt]

Also - and this is just a practical question related to protection of religious symbols appearing in public locations, how many adherents does a religion have to hold in a religion to force a symbol into that location. <snip> So often I wonder if the entire exercise is an excuse to try to get Judeo-Christian symbols out simply by abusing the system to absurdity.

the government has a list of recognized religions, it's not based on the logical fallacy "appeal to popularity" though. And the point isn't "to abuse the system to absurdity", it's based in law, specifically the "equal access" law*. Up to now, when the lawsuits have started, Judeo-christian groups have held privilege over all other religious groups, by disregarding and trampling all over the law, and are now fighting tooth and nail to retain the privileged that should never have been granted in the first place. Pretty much the law states "all or nothing", if real estate is an issue no monuments should have been allowed, thinking "well only our religion has put up monuments" doesn't mean others can't or won't.

[Panacea]

I've run into people who insist Islam is not a religion.

Yes, and none of them are Muslim.

[HYHYBT]

Yes, and none of them are Muslim.

Certainly not.

[Signmaker]

Satanists just proved they're better than atheists at trolling the fundies. Especially the part about being able to sit in the lap of Satan for contemplation. Well played.

Anyone working on submissions for FSM and Murdercube?

[Panacea]

I read in an op ed somewhere that the fundies are paying the price for their insistence on pushing religion into public places like court houses and other publicly own places. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.