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Satanic Display Barred From State Capitol; ‘Flying Spaghetti Monster’ OK
December 19, 2013
The state Department of Management Services on Wednesday denied an attempt by “Satanists” to put up a display in the Florida Capitol, which currently showcases a Nativity scene, a Festivus pole made of beer cans, posters from atheists, and a crudely-made Flying Spaghetti Monster.
“The department’s position is that your proposed display is grossly offensive during the holiday season,” DMS Administrative Assistant Sherrie K. Routt emailed a group calling itself the Satanic Temple.
Lucien Greaves, a spokesman for the temple, said in an email the group was “surprised and dismayed” by the rejection.
However, before possibly challenging the decision, the temple is seeking clarification from DMS as it had initially been advised the display had been approved and that “written confirmation is forthcoming,” Greaves said. The group initially requested putting up a 5-foot-by-5-foot poster that featured “religious symbols and images” on Dec. 9.
In the application, the group explained that the public service intended was to “contribute to the plurality of the community by representing the spirit of good will from other faiths.” The group would later send DMS a photo of the proposed display that bannered the phrase “Happy holidays from the Satanic Temple” atop a diorama of an angel falling into hell. A sign on one side of the display referenced Luke 10:18 including the line, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
Since the Florida Prayer Network’s Christian Nativity scene was set up in the first floor of the Capitol on Dec. 3, DMS has approved requests for space in the rotunda for a 6-foot-tall “Festivus” pole made of Pabst Blue Ribbon cans by South Florida political blogger Chaz Stevens and seasonal signs from the Tallahassee Atheists, The American Atheists Florida Regional Directors and the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Also, on Tuesday, the department approved a display that included an office chair and shredded paper depicting spaghetti for the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Last January, the “Satanists” drew about six of the self-professed devil worshipers to the steps of the Old Capitol for what they said was an event to praise Gov. Rick Scott — but that was reported to be part of an effort to make a fake documentary.
by The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster has joined a growing number of groups putting up irreverent displays in the first floor of the Florida Capitol since a Nativity scene (pictured page bottom) was placed their by a Christian group. A display proposed by the Satanic Temple that was rejected by the Department of Management Service for the Florida Capitol. Photos by Jim Turner for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
22 Responses to “Satanic Display Barred From State Capitol; ‘Flying Spaghetti Monster’ OK”
iwonder if these people tell the bosses because of their beliefs that they don’t want christmas holiday paid while they are off or double time & such if they have to work???
I wonder how many square foot of accommodation it would take to transport all these Satanist to their embarkation point?
I take comfort in knowing that as difficult, crazy and complicated these current issues and days seem, we are certainly heading toward a simpler age and time. Amen.
The ‘Flying Spaghetti Monster’ is an Atheist group making fun of religion, they do not really worship it. It may be slightly rude; however, it is not an idol nor does it have an malicious intent put behind it. Go type “Flying Spaghetti Monster” in your search bar. I can promise a smile or a laugh when you find the “group’s” webpage. Something about a group of self proclaimed devil worshipers makes me uneasy.
@Jeff
Touché.
Some people just don’t get it.
…and never will.
For those of you that don’t know, these people aren’t really satanist, they probably don’t believe in satan at all. The point of all this is separation of church and state. If they allow one religion or belief, they have to allow them all.
They shouldn’t have any of this here, but thats point
Now that they have been denied, hopefully the ACLU will step in and sue to help them learn a valuable lesson. That lesson is you can’t pick and choose what religion to promote
Most of us have to view this type foolishness only to remind us that the Almighty is still in control. Thank you Lord!!!
Furthermore, this is a colossal waste of taxpayer dollars since paid public servants have to spend valuable time reviewing applications & designs, having meetings, and reviewing local, state & federal laws to determine which displays meet the criteria, and which ones don’t.
This would not even be an issue if all religious groups were barred from infringing on others’ rights in a venue that is inappropriate for that type of expression. Public space is paid for by public money; therefore, no promotion of one religious belief over another–which means you can’t have a nativity and not have the flying spaghetti monster. It’s simple.
Worship at places of worship and don’t inflict your beliefs on me, i.e. “Don’t tread on me.”
The festivus pole was awesome. This is just plain stupid!
I’m with Puddin.
Go, Puddin’, go!
First of all, the day is not yours, mine, or anyone else’s in particular. It’s just another day on the calendar.
And the point of this silly exercise in the Capitol building is to demonstrate the fact that no religion belongs there in the first place. Our halls of government–indeed, any government building–should be free of religious displays. Period.
Celebrate your religion at your home, your temple, your barn, any place you like that does not involve the making of laws that apply to all and doing the business of government.
Perhaps it’s the other way around. They are threatened by Christianity. If they want to make a “statement” why don’t they leave the Christians our Holiday and get one of their own. It’s a shame that Christmas has become such a mockery.
@ on the fence:
That is Satan falling from the sky and it’s terrible that others are willing to follow him into the eternal flame. At least atheists believe in neither.
To all other, non-christian religions. Christmas is ours. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus. Dec 25th is ours. We stoleitfair and squarefrom the pagans. Got get your own darn day!
You can have the 26th to celebrate Kwansa, and the 27th for Spagetti day (whatever that is?), and although I wont join you in celebrating you satanists can have the 28th, and so on. But the 25th is Christmas. Its the celebration of CHRIST. Get over it.
Athiests and satanists have their own holiday, it’s April 1. why don’t they stay out of the Christian Holidays and celebrate their own.
I’m not sure what to say about this. While Steve makes an excellent point in saying we should not be hated because of our religious beliefs, I’m not sure about what the satanic temple was trying to display. To me, the picture of their poster looked like Jesus falling from heaven. I think it should be displayed though, since all the other groups have displays. They are just expressing their religious beliefs. We are slowly losing the amendments. At least keep one.
I don’t understand why they’d deny the organization that’s been around decades longer than the Spaghetti Church or Festivus.
@mnon: When compared to hot gluing some beer cans or emptying the paper shredder, the Satanist display looks like it took way more time and effort to be something serious
Really, I don’t care if you believe in Jesus or Cheez’its. Freedom of religion is what makes our country great. Many men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can all have the basic freedoms that we do. Even though some of them may be taken away from time to time. We still have the right to express ourselves and our opinions openly. That does not mean that you should hate, just because you don’t like someone elses belief.
Again, once you let the camel stick his nose in tent, his tail will soon follow.
All these imbeciles are doing is vying for attention just as the beer can bum did. The state should have seen this coming.
I don’t find it offensive at all… it’s a diorama of a Bible passage, big deal that it’s from a Satanist group. If you let one in, you gotta let all in DMS.
How about the Kaaba made to look like a giant Christmas gift in a display? Would that be alright?
If those Satanist want to be with satan so very badly, why don’t we just help them along in realizing their goals.
I bet they would be all for that.
If you have true faith in a living God, then all these false idols should not be any threat.