Freedom of religion wins again!

[someoneyouknow]

At this time of year, when certain religions blast everyone with their propaganda on government property, it's nice to know the Constitution still holds sway.

The Illinois statehouse has both a Christmas tree and menorah, both representing their respective adherents. But placed in between the two is a newcomer to the scene: a snake coiled around an outstretched arm holding an apple.

The Chicago chapter of the Temple of Satan has their own display titled, Knowledge is the Greatest Gift. In its application for the display, The Satanic Temple-Chicago calls itself a nontheistic organization that aims to "encourage benevolence and empathy among all people." The group also rejects tyrannical authority and advocates for common sense and justice, the application said.

Needless to say, Christians and conservatives are up in arms at this display. After all, who wants benevolence and empathy among all people? Better we celebrate the supposed birth of a baby born to an unwed woman by someone she wasn't romantically linked with.

Fortunately, the Constitution has the last word on such matters.

Illinois Secretary of State spokesman Dave Druker said the group has the same rights as other religious organizations to have a display in the rotunda.

"Under the Constitution, the First Amendment, people have a right to express their feelings, their thoughts," Druker said. "This recognizes that."

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/illinois/articles/2018-12-04/illinois-capitol-rotunda-includes-satanic-temple-display

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-satanic-display-in-state-capitol-20181204-story.html

 

[phrodeau]

Things could get ugly quick, if some Christians think the scene needs a statue of a body being tortured to death hanging from his wrists.

 

[someoneyouknow]

Things could get ugly quick, if some Christians think the scene needs a statue of a body being tortured to death hanging from his wrists.

Especially if it's beside a display from the people who made the above happen.

 

[someoneyouknow]

Good pictures (not great, but good) of the display.

https://imgur.com/gallery/NxE14et

 

[Tryharder62]

Well, I am impressed that they chose not to make a mockery but did a true depiction of their belief in a tasteful manner. Christians aren't as intolerant as you think. Interesting that they choose to depict a very important pivotal moment in Christianity. They chose & celebrate knowledge in this life. I choose everlasting life for well........eternity.

 

[LupusDei]

Well, I am impressed that they chose not to make a mockery but did a true depiction of their belief in a tasteful manner. Christians aren't as intolerant as you think. Interesting that they choose to depict a very important pivotal moment in Christianity. They chose & celebrate knowledge in this life. I choose everlasting life for well........eternity.

True immortality might be the worst curse there could be. Do you really want to experience heat death or vacuum collapse of the universe? I'm truly afraid to be there still, with nothing left but memories of my own atrocities.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

Well, I am impressed that they chose not to make a mockery but did a true depiction of their belief in a tasteful manner. Christians aren't as intolerant as you think. Interesting that they choose to depict a very important pivotal moment in Christianity. They chose & celebrate knowledge in this life. I choose everlasting life for well........eternity.

Funny that Christianity make you choose between knowledge or life, as if the two were mutually exclusive.

Apart from that, I always wondered why this group feels the need to call themselves "The Satanic Temple" when they seem to be a bunch of atheists. Why not just be "American Atheists"?

 

[zipman]

Especially if it's beside a display from the people who made the above happen.

Why would there be a display of Romans?

 

[HisArpy]

Funny that Christianity make you choose between knowledge or life, as if the two were mutually exclusive.

Apart from that, I always wondered why this group feels the need to call themselves "The Satanic Temple" when they seem to be a bunch of atheists. Why not just be "American Atheists"?

Because they're not atheists.

I found it interesting that they claim:

The Satanic Temple-Chicago calls itself a nontheistic organization

yet they depict a scene using visuals described in the Bible.

If the Bible is your source for artistic inspiration, it's kinda hard to say you're "non" theistic.

 

[someoneyouknow]

Why would there be a display of Romans?

As usual, Pilate did what the people (the Jews) said to do. He didn't want to do it, but he followed their will. He even asked why he should do it when no crime had been committed.

Matthew 27 1-2

When it was early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people plotted against Jesus to execute him. 2 They tied him up, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor. (not the Romans)

11-31

11 Then Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he did not respond. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many charges they are bringing against you?” 14 But he did not answer even one accusation, so that the governor was quite amazed.

15 During the feast the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd, whomever they wanted. 16 At that time they had in custody a notorious prisoner named Jesus Barabbas. 17 So after they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Christ?” 18 (For he knew that they had handed him over because of envy.) 19 As he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man; I have suffered greatly as a result of a dream about him today.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21 The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas!” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?” They all said, “Crucify him!” 23 He asked, “Why? What wrong has he done?” But they shouted more insistently, “Crucify him!” (still not the Romans)

24 When Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but that instead a riot was starting, he took some water, washed his hands before the crowd and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. You take care of it yourselves!” 25 In reply all the people said, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas for them. But after he had Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified. 27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s residence and gathered the whole cohort around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe around him, 29 and after braiding a crown of thorns, they put it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand, and kneeling down before him, they mocked him: “Hail, king of the Jews!” 30 They spat on him and took the staff and struck him repeatedly on the head. 31 When they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. (only now the Romans who did what the Jews said)

It's in the Bible so it must be true.

 

[jaF0]

If the Bible is your source for artistic inspiration, it's kinda hard to say you're "non" theistic.

Well, it is a work of fiction, sort of like the various Poe tales. Or Aesop's Fables. Or Grimm's Fairy Tales.

 

[jaF0]

As usual, Pilate did ...

... start a fad exercise routine?

 

[HisArpy]

Well, it is a work of fiction, sort of like the various Poe tales. Or Aesop's Fables. Or Grimm's Fairy Tales.

I'm pretty agnostic but I don't believe it's a work of fiction. Instead I believe the Bible is probably a compendium of verbal lore which was passed down for many generations before someone decided to write it all down in 1 volume.

That doesn't make it accurate, but it also doesn't make it fiction. It's more like a badly researched thesis.

 

[zipman]

As usual, Pilate did what the people (the Jews) said to do. He didn't want to do it, but he followed their will. He even asked why he should do it when no crime had been committed.

Matthew 27 1-2

When it was early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people plotted against Jesus to execute him. 2 They tied him up, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor. (not the Romans)

11-31

11 Then Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he did not respond. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many charges they are bringing against you?” 14 But he did not answer even one accusation, so that the governor was quite amazed.

15 During the feast the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd, whomever they wanted. 16 At that time they had in custody a notorious prisoner named Jesus Barabbas. 17 So after they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Christ?” 18 (For he knew that they had handed him over because of envy.) 19 As he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man; I have suffered greatly as a result of a dream about him today.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21 The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas!” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?” They all said, “Crucify him!” 23 He asked, “Why? What wrong has he done?” But they shouted more insistently, “Crucify him!” (still not the Romans)

24 When Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but that instead a riot was starting, he took some water, washed his hands before the crowd and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. You take care of it yourselves!” 25 In reply all the people said, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas for them. But after he had Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified. 27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s residence and gathered the whole cohort around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe around him, 29 and after braiding a crown of thorns, they put it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand, and kneeling down before him, they mocked him: “Hail, king of the Jews!” 30 They spat on him and took the staff and struck him repeatedly on the head. 31 When they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. (only now the Romans who did what the Jews said)

It's in the Bible so it must be true.

What do you mean, "as usual?"

 

[someoneyouknow]

What do you mean, "as usual?"

If you read what is written, it was customary for the governor (in this case Pilate), to release one prisoner based on what the people said. In my case, using the term 'As usual' means he did what the people said, again.

 

[IG_88]

As usual, Pilate did what the people (the Jews) said to do. He didn't want to do it, but he followed their will. He even asked why he should do it when no crime had been committed.

Pilate hated Jews. Like really really hated them.

 

[Tryharder62]

True immortality might be the worst curse there could be. Do you really want to experience heat death or vacuum collapse of the universe? I'm truly afraid to be there still, with nothing left but memories of my own atrocities.

Physicists do come up with ways the Universe will collapse. It is possible, but I don't believe physicsts are saying it will be in our lifetime. Funny the bible talks about a similar ending which can occur anytime God wants it to.

First, it will be cataclysmic in scope. The “heavens” refers to the physical universe – the stars, planets, and galaxies—which will be consumed by some kind of tremendous explosion, possibly a nuclear or atomic reaction that will consume and obliterate all matter as we know it. All the elements that make up the universe will be melted in the “fervent heat” (2 Peter 3:12). This will also be a noisy event, described in different Bible versions as a “roar” (NIV), a “great noise” (KJV), a “loud noise” (CEV), and a “thunderous crash” (AMP). There will be no doubt as to what is happening. Everyone will see and hear it because we are also told that “the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”

However, what physicists don't say is Jesus is going to create a new heaven and new earth. Interesting to explore this in the bible.

Funny that Christianity make you choose between knowledge or life, as if the two were mutually exclusive.

Apart from that, I always wondered why this group feels the need to call themselves "The Satanic Temple" when they seem to be a bunch of atheists. Why not just be "American Atheists"?

They had the knowledge of good. They lived with God and experienced all good. They just didn't have the knowledge of evil. I could do without it.

 

[Paul_Chance]

The Satanic Temple is an actual religious organization (part of the United Federation of Churches LLC). Therefore they fall under the law which allows religious displays, as opposed the the American Atheists, which is a civic organization, a 501(c)(3).

Go Satan!

 

[someoneyouknow]

They had the knowledge of good. They lived with God and experienced all good. They just didn't have the knowledge of evil. I could do without it.

And yet, God was dumb enough to give them that option.

That surprised Pikachu meme which is going around fits perfectly.

God: You have everything you need here. Just don't eat this one fruit.

Eve: You mean I have self-determination? Let me taste that!

God: *surprise look*

 

[someoneyouknow]

Pilate hated Jews. Like really really hated them.

No, he didn't. He considered them nuisances because of their whining and complaints back to Rome.

If he really hated Jews, he would have ignored their chants to kill Jesus, let him go, and when the Jews rioted, used that as an excuse for wholesale slaughter.

Instead, he was more worried about how the riots would be perceived in Rome. So, to appease the Jews and keep in good standing with Rome, he followed their wishes.

It's all in the Bible so it must be true.

 

[IG_88]

No, he didn't. He considered them nuisances because of their whining and complaints back to Rome.

If he really hated Jews, he would have ignored their chants to kill Jesus, let him go, and when the Jews rioted, used that as an excuse for wholesale slaughter.

Instead, he was more worried about how the riots would be perceived in Rome. So, to appease the Jews and keep in good standing with Rome, he followed their wishes.

It's all in the Bible so it must be true.

No, dude seriously hated Jews.

 

[phrodeau]

Because they're not atheists.

I found it interesting that they claim: yet they depict a scene using visuals described in the Bible.

If the Bible is your source for artistic inspiration, it's kinda hard to say you're "non" theistic.

Only if you believe Satan is a god.

 

[Tryharder62]

And yet, God was dumb enough to give them that option.

That surprised Pikachu meme which is going around fits perfectly.

God: You have everything you need here. Just don't eat this one fruit.

Eve: You mean I have self-determination? Let me taste that!

God: *surprise look*

I'm not God so I don't know why he does things the way he does them. I wouldn't give you a choice. Worship me! Good thing I'm not God.

I think he does it for love. I don't think you have a chance to experience true love unless you have a choice.

 

[CandiCame]

Funny that Christianity make you choose between knowledge or life, as if the two were mutually exclusive.

Apart from that, I always wondered why this group feels the need to call themselves "The Satanic Temple" when they seem to be a bunch of atheists. Why not just be "American Atheists"?

1: it was taken
2: Deital satanists aren't atheists, so it would have been a really weird choice on their part.

 

[HAL_9000]

It's OK as long as private insurance doesn't have to pay for sinful birth control.

HAIL SATAN!