A Republican lawmaker in Iowa has rallied to the side of a military vet accused of a hate crime for smashing a public display dedicated to Satan.
She wants to prohibit the state from promoting evil
This week, according to the Post Millennial, state Sen. Sandy Salmon filed a bill that would prohibit “Satanic displays or the practice of Satanism on state property.”
“The state or any political subdivision of the state shall not recognize organizations or individuals who refer to Satan as a deity, worship Satan, or who reference Satan or Satanism as part of the organization’s or individual’s religious practice as an establishment of religion,” Salmon’s bill states.
Read: Self-Proclaimed “Satans Child” Sentenced To 50 Years In Florida For Raping Young Children
“Displays, symbols, or the practice of Satanic worship shall not be allowed on public property, in public schools, on property owned by public schools, or on any property owned by the state or its political subdivisions,” the measure adds.
“(A)ny act of Satanic practice or worship that involves the ending of a life or the shedding of blood, whether the sacrifice be an animal or human, is prohibited.”
Last week, as the Tampa Free Press reported, state prosecutors in Iowa charged Mississippi U.S. Navy veteran Michael Cassidy with a felony hate crime charge after he destroyed a statue dedicated to Satan in the state Capitol.
The state allowed the statue as part of a Christmas holiday display.
Cassidy, who said his faith led him to demolish the display, now faces up to five years in prison, if convicted. Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis responded by saying satanism is not a religion, and pledging to contribute to Cassidy’s legal defense fund, which as of last week had generated $115,000.
Read: Satan-Smashing Vet In Iowa That Florida Gov. DeSantis Pledged To Help, Faces Hate-Crime Charge
Salmon told the Post Millennial that the state should not be in the business of actually promoting evil.
“Evil is personified in the creature known as Satan,” she said. “It is the duty of the government to play an appropriate role in protecting the inhabitant residents of Iowa from evil while encouraging and facilitating good.”
“It is legally and constitutionally inconsistent,” she continued, “to afford Satan, who is universally understood to be an enemy of God, religious expression on public property by a state government that depends upon God for continued blessings.”
“Such a legal view violates our state constitution and offends the God upon whom we depend and undermines our well-being.”
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