Satanist display placed in Illinois administration
Satanists (centre) and Catholics (right) at the Illinois Capitol.Photo: religionnews.com
For the third year in a row, the Satanic Temple of Illinois set up a holiday display in the state Capitol rotunda (Springfield, USA), reports abc7chicago.com.
The installation represents Baphomet, depicted as a swaddled baby, and is placed next to a Christian display.
" The Capitol welcomes a diverse range of religions every year to display holiday statues during the holiday season, so we wanted to join in on that," said a spokesperson for the Satanic Temple of Illinois. About 20 Satanists gathered in the rotunda for the opening of the display on Tuesday, December 21.
Nearby, Catholic groups denounced the display. Parishioners held signs saying "Satan has no rights" and "Mary crushes the serpent." A local Catholic bishop, Thomas John Paprocki, spoke sharply negatively about the Satanist installation.
A sign from the state of Illinois in the rotunda reads in part, "because the first floor of the Capitol rotunda is a public place, state officials cannot legally censor the content of speech or displays."
The UOJ wrote that a sculpture similar to the "beast" from the Apocalypse was erected near the UN building.
Read also
ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill
Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown
Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.
Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.
Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law
Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.
Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment
The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.
Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful
Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.