Your thoughts on Satanism and the petition for a Satanic statue.

[abaris]

They picked Satan on purpose because it makes Christians uncomfortable. They could have just as easily picked Cthulu.

No, they picked him because it gets them headlines.

[Clueless Morgan]

Morgan, even the other posters here agreed that these people specifically chose Satan to be their symbol purposely as a sort of "ef you" to the faith. Of anything these people could have chosen to represent their ideologies, why choose the entity from the bible that represents evil and hatred, if their intention is not to shock/offend/make a statement against the faith?

You stated that the Satanists' purpose behind erecting the statue was to offend and I pointed out that according to the Satanists themselves their stated purpose for erecting this statue is to honor the people and events that helped to inform the legal process in this country.  It may, in fact, be the case that they have subverted intentions, intentions beyond those that they have made public, but so might the Christians who want to put up the 10C monument!

Are having unstated intentions a reason to refuse a religious group equal treatment under the law?

As for the posters here making statements about the Satanists' "true purpose," unless and until the Satanists make a public statement saying that they are purposefully putting this statue in Arkansas next to the 10C for the express purpose of offending people, then everyone here saying that's what they're doing is engaging in speculation.

It may be reasonable speculation.

It may be informed speculation.

It may be speculation that turns out to be 100% correct.

But right now it is still speculation.

[Crossless2.0]

They picked Satan on purpose because it makes Christians uncomfortable. They could have just as easily picked Cthulu.

No, they picked him because it gets them headlines.

Besides, picking Cthulhu would have just confused a lot of people.  I can hear it now: Cthulhu, isn't that a special item at Taco Bell? I mean, I like it and all. But why erect a monument to it?

[Cecelia]

And I don't know how to put what I said any more clearer, either. You're comparing apples to oranges. I wouldn't mind it if there was a Buddha there, instead of the 10 commandments. I do mind the Satanic statue because it is deliberately meant to offend.

As my husband says: Apples and oranges are perfectly comparable.  You can compare their taste, their texture, both are fruits, and both can be made into juices.  You can also compare their color and size.

I would hope you would not be offended by a Buddha statue.  Your faith is the dominant faith in this country.  No President in 226 years has been anything but Christian.  Though some historians argue that Jefferson may not have been a Christian, and there are arguments that Lincoln may have quietly been an Atheist.  Some also believe Obama is secretly a Muslim, while it's far more likely he's secretly an Atheist.  Neither of which should be required to be a secret to be elected President of the United States.  Many of our leaders are members of your faith.  It's hard to feel offended by another religion showing up when your religion is predominant (though some try really hard to feel oppressed)

There's around 350,000 churches in the United States.  Of which approximately 95% are Christian.

Religion has made an encroachment on the lives of many in the United States.  When the government places a Christian symbol on public property it gives credence to the idea that this is a "Christian Nation"  (Honestly, better than a statue of a demon, they should have put up a monument to the Treaty of Tripoli which specifically states this is NOT a Christian Nation.)   It doesn't matter if that was the intent.  The path to hell is paved with good intentions.  It's certainly the message being sent -- not just to Atheists, but to Christians too.  It's sending a message to many of the Christians that it's their duty to make this a country all about god.

When other faiths fail to put up monuments (either due to lack of interests or lack of funds), it stands to Atheists to refute the idea that this is a Christian Nation.

[CapnAwesome]

A demonic statue to me is not any more or less appropriate than a crucified man.

[Iroscato]

Frankly, I'm disgusted by the lack of representation that the True Father FSM has received in this parade of false idols.

It's never to late to convert to Pastafarianism and save the soul of America, though...

[abaris]

If memory serves, the wanted the flying spaghetti monster there too. But it didn't get the same media attention as Satan did. Unsurprisingly so.

[Iroscato]

A sad sign of the times, indeed. I weep for humanity.

[Wyrd of Gawd]

[Homeless Nutter]

I like to tease my Christian friends (including fiancee) with the throwaway line, "Hey, if Jesus had come during the French Revolution, would all the Christians be wearing razor blades on a chain around their necks?"[...]

Had Jesus been stoned to death - Christians would have invented the Pet Rock...