Writer: Atheist Republic
Subject: Satanic Christmas Display Predictably Sparks Christian Outrage
Link: 17.01.2022 / Newsletter@atheistrepublic.com
Satanic Christmas Display Predictably Sparks Christian Outrage
On 20 December, the Illinois State Capitol Rotunda featured a holiday art display from The Satanic Temple. The temple, a nontheistic religious group, promotes reproductive rights and separation of church and state. On the 25th, they celebrated the holiday of Sol Invictus, a “Celebration of being unconquered by superstition and consistent in the pursuit and sharing of knowledge.”
This year’s celebration featured the satanic deity, Baphomet, depicted as a swaddled baby, similar to Jesus in a nativity scene. The Christian community in the area was outraged hearing about the theme. Catholic Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, of the Diocese of Springfield, stated to the State Journal, Satanic displays, “Should have no place in this Capitol.”
The Satanic Temple attempted to invite Bishop Paprocki to the unveiling of their display. However, the bishop refused. Lucien Greaves, co-founder of The Satanic Temple, in response to Paprocki’s refusal to attend, stated, “Our real message is to re-establish pluralism … It doesn’t mean that people with opposing viewpoints have to be in conflict.”