Organizers say the Baphomet statue was destroyed.

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) - On Thursday, the Satanic Temple of Iowa announced that their display at the Iowa Capitol had been significantly damaged.

The controversial display, which Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds called “objectionable,” featured a ram’s head covered with mirrors on a mannequin before being damaged.

Organizers say it’s a symbol of their right to religious freedom.

The Satanic Temple of Iowa posted the following message on their Facebook page:

“This morning, we were informed by authorities that the Baphomet statue in our holiday display was destroyed beyond repair. We are proud to continue our holiday display for the next few days that we have been allotted.

We ask that for safety, visitors travel together and use the 7 Tenets as a reminder for empathy, in the knowledge that justice is being pursued the correct way, through legal means.

KCCI has reported that 35-year-old Michael Cassidy of Lauderdale, Mississippi, was charged with Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree. He has since been released.

Solve et Coagula! Happy Holidays! Hail Satan!”

  • GardeningSadhu@lemm.eeEnglish
    21·
    11 months ago

    shocked they actually arrested him. will be even more shocked if he gets anything close to the punishment he earned

    • Pacmanlives@lemmy.worldEnglish
      14·
      11 months ago

      A 4th degree misdemeanor is nothing! I doubt if someone messed up a Jesus Nativity set they would get that

      • brax@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        51·
        11 months ago

        Idk, a precedent has been set now. Lawyers could just refer back to this case, no?

        • misophist@lemmy.worldEnglish
          7·
          11 months ago

          What is the precedent? “Unlike crimes against any other religion, hate crimes against satanism is not a hate crime”?

          • brax@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
            4·
            11 months ago

            Seems like America has basically said:

            “hate crimes against religious iconography isn’t a hate crime”

            It’s a huge can of worms that they opened, and basically shit all over everything people fought against in WWII.

            Pretty sure it also just wiped out a few US fundamental freedoms too.

            So, either this goes up the chain to punish the guy appropriate, or the USA is in for some real heated bullshit in the near future.

            • misophist@lemmy.worldEnglish
              1·
              11 months ago

              Burning down a church with nobody in it is a hate crime. Where is the line? Is it destruction of real property? Is it a monetary threshold? I don’t know the answer, but it is definitely a huge can of worms.

          • Facebones@reddthat.comEnglish
            1·
            11 months ago

            I keep seeing this precedent argument and this is exactly what I think every time.

            If anything I see someone TRYING to use this case as a precedent to swerve hate crime charges and it gets used to declare Satanism not a recognized religion.