Satanic Idol on Display at Iowa State Capitol at Christmastime, GOP Lawmakers Defend

A Satanic idol and altar has been placed in the Iowa Capitol building for the Christmas season, with some Republican lawmakers even defending it.

The Satanic Temple, a “non-theistic religious group” that promotes ritualistic abortions, installed the display last week, which features a ram’s head gilded with mirrors on a mannequin cloaked in red with a pentagram that will remain until Friday, Dec. 15.

“We’re going to really relish the opportunity to be represented in a public forum. We don’t have a church on every street corner,” the group’s co-founder Lucien Greaves said.

“My feeling is if people don’t like our display in public forums, they don’t have to engage with them. They don’t have to view them,” Greaves said.

The Satanic Temple of Iowa installed a “holiday” display at the Iowa State Capitol and claims it must be permitted under religious liberty laws. pic.twitter.com/7EegFhVNwL

— Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) December 12, 2023

Rep. Brad Sherman (R) said placing the Satanic statue in the Capitol building is unconstitutional, citing the preamble of the state’s constitution.

The Baphomet idol is “a tortured and twisted interpretation of law that affords Satan, who is universally understood to be the enemy of God, religious expression equal to God in an institution of government that depends upon God for continued blessings,” Sherman wrote.

“I am calling for our governor to have this blasphemous display removed immediately based on the grounds that it is unconstitutional and offends God upon whom the State of Iowa depends for blessings,” he concluded.

But Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) and State Rep. Jon Dunwell (R) faced backlash for defending the idol placed in the Capitol building, saying it was within the Satanic Temple’s free speech rights.

“My observation as a follower of Christ, I certainly find a display from the Satanic Temple objectionable. It stands in direct opposition to my faith and would be classified as evil,” Dunwell began in a statement on X.

As many of you have become aware, last week a display was erected at the Iowa Capitol by the Satanic Temple of Iowa. As I have responded to concerns from Iowans about the display, I wanted to share with you how the display came to be and my response.

How did it happen?
• The… pic.twitter.com/8ODJXCxu9Y

— Rep. Jon Dunwell (@jdunwell) December 8, 2023

“Currently, access for displays at the Capitol are open to anyone through an application process. Though there are some guidelines, they do not discriminate on the basis of religion or ideology,” he continued.

“The Satanic Temple petitioned for their display in August and were approved with some modification. They wanted to use an actual goat head (I’m assuming a skull) and we’re prohibited from doing so,” he added.

Reynolds put out a statement Tuesday condemning the Satanic idol but came short of calling for its removal, claiming the statue was part of the group’s “free speech.”

“Like many Iowans, I find the Satanic Temple’s display in the Capitol absolutely objectionable. In a free society, the best response to objectionable speech is more speech, and I encourage all those of faith to join me today in praying over the Capitol and recognizing the nativity scene that will be on display – the true reason for the season.”

Weak Republicans like these are quick to defend Satanic idols on display in the Capitol buildings while failing to defend the removal of statues and monuments tied to real American history.

We have reached the point where our Capitols are removing Jefferson while monuments to Satan are erected.

Realize where we are. pic.twitter.com/KFm1hX1XOi

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 12, 2023

Haven’t even seen Democrats defending the Satanic ritual altar in the Iowa Capitol

It’s been all Republicans

Really makes you think!

— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) December 12, 2023

The free speech argument for this Satanic idol is irrelevant.

The Iowa Legislature can set the rules and standards for any display in government buildings, so this blatantly non-religious blasphemy can easily be prevented from being showcased. But Republicans are refusing to do so.

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