The First Monument to Satan May be Built at Oklahoma's State Capitol
A New York-based satanic group has announced on Sunday, Dec 8, that it has plans to erect a monument to Satan just beside the Ten Commandments moment situated at the Oklahoma capitol building.
Time reports that the state legislature authorised the Ten Commandments monument in 2009. It was erected with private funds donated by Mike Ritze, an Oklahoma State representative. The Republican gave the money in 2012. Subsequently, The ACLU of Oklahoma sued for the removal of the monument. On the other hand, the satanic group called the Temple of Satan believes it is a good opportunity for erecting a monument of the Evil One in the public square.
Temple of Satan spokesman Lucien Greaves said that the authorities had expressed their willingness to be open to the erection of different monuments. The satanic group feels this must be the perfect opportunity to prove if they are really open to what they claim.
According to Mr Greaves as well as other legal experts, the Constitution clearly states that the government is prohibited from endorsing any particular religion. That is why people who have some 'other faith' rather than the Christian God should also be allowed to have their own monument, CNN reports. Mr Greaves also said that the Temple of Satan was more political body than a religious one. They believe in Satan being a 'literary construct'. They do not, however, believe that Satan has hooves and horns.
Mr Greaves was talking to the Associated Press when he said that one would not find a lot of satanic temples. On the contrary, such temples are going to be seen when public spaces are made open for such monuments. The Temple of Satan has plans to submit the proposals to the Capitol Preservation Commission in December itself. They plan to erect a monument which depicts 'good taste', he said. He also informed that they would follow community standards while doing so.