Somebody please explain to me how these "Christians" who get themselves all frothed up into a murderous rage are different in any substantive way from the Taliban douchenozzles who run around beating women and dynamiting Buddhist statues.
There is no ideology more violently hateful
than a religious devotee's love for his deity imaginary friend.
What a sucker this Cassidy clown is. Not that he's been suckered into zealotry, but that he's been suckered into believing a good grift is all you need to play the game, and break into the big leagues - that nobody will ever get wise to the fuckery.
A former congressional candidate from Mississippi has been charged with allegedly vandalizing the Satanic Temple of Iowa's statue depicting the pagan idol Baphomet at the Iowa State Capitol.
Michael Cassidy, 35, of Lauderdale, Mississippi, was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief on Thursday, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety. The charge could carry one year in prison and a $2,560 fine.
The Satanic Temple of Iowa had announced on Facebook its display had been "destroyed beyond repair."
The installation, permitted under state rules governing religious displays in the building, has been debated and criticized by Iowa and national politicians. Presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis on Tuesday joined a chorus of Republicans calling for its removal while others in the GOP said that, though it is offensive, it is a protected form of free speech. Gov. Kim Reynolds called the display "objectionable" and called for Iowans to pray in response.
"In a free society, the best response to objectionable speech is more speech, and I encourage all those of faith to join me today in praying over the Capitol and recognizing the Nativity scene that will be on display ― the true reason for the season," she said.
Crowdfunding campaign for man charged in vandalism reportedly raises $20,000
Newsweek reported a crowdfunding campaign was launched for Cassidy's legal fund, which raised its target of $20,000. Some donors included conservative campaign group Turning Point USA, which gave $10,000.
Cassidy posted on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, thanking people for their support. He said the campaign raised enough money "in just a couple hours." DeSantis said on X he would contribute to the campaign.
He defended the attack and criticized those who, while saying they found the display offensive, took the position that it was permitted as an exercise of free speech.
"To Christians who defend Satanic altars when they speak with their church, family, friends, coworkers, or on @X: Would you use the same argument if you were speaking with God? Think on that," he wrote.
- First, the fact that he assumes there's a god for anyone to be "speaking with" is at the core of the problem
- Second, I could see this vandalism as an act of civil disobedience, but while the guy admits to it, he's not willing to pay the penalty for it, which is absolutely the bare minimum requirement if your action is to be considered legit protest
- As it stands - IMHO - this is a standard issue political stunt, meant to grift a few bucks from the rubes and gain some notoriety
"I'm a Christian conservative who loves our nation and is committed to preserving the blessings of liberty bestowed upon us by the Founding generation," he said on his campaign website.
In an interview with the Marion County, Mississippi, Columbian-Progress during his congressional campaign, he said he grew up in the Baptist and Episcopal churches.
"Jesus Christ is the anchor of my life," the Columbian-Progress quoted him as saying "I am serene because of my faith. The United States is going downhill since the removal of Jesus Christ. The country needs to return to God or it will continue on this bad path."
He ran on a platform that, according to Mississippi Today, included providing newlyweds with a $20,000 wedding gift, "paid back if the couple divorces." He also endorsed allowing all citizens to enroll in Medicare, regardless of age ― a position similar to U.S. Sen Bernie Sanders' "Medicare for All" He finished second in his three-candidate congressional race and forced incumbent U.S Rep. Michael Guest, R-Mississippi, into a runoff, but Guest won that vote handily.
Facebook posting says Satanic Temple plans 'closing ceremony' for display
The Satanic Temple in its Facebook posting about the attack on the display said the Baphomet idol, a robed effigy with a gilded ram's head holding a ribbon-bedecked pentangle, was the primary target. On Friday, the display seemed to be mostly disassembled, with the original candles and body of Baphomet rearranged. Christian offerings and a rosary had been placed near the display and a man sat in front of it, praying.
The Iowa Department of Administrative Services, which oversees the Capitol, allowed the display for two weeks under rules that permit religious installations. On Facebook, Mortimer Adramelech, identifying himself as minister of Satan and a council member of the Satanic Temple of Iowa, called on Iowa satanists to gather at the Capitol at 10 a.m. Saturday for "our closing ceremony."
"YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!" he wrote, adding, "Dress in your Satanic best and get ready to hail Satan."
In a news release, Jason Benell. president of the Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers, condemned the attack.
"Not only was that display targeted, but it was also targeted specifically by Christians, for sectarian religious reasons. This targeting was encouraged by legislators and even had the Iowa Governor, Kim Reynolds, calling it 'evil.' This is unacceptable," Benell wrote. "When our leaders make it permissible to destroy religious - or non-religious - displays they find religiously objectionable, they are abdicating their responsibility to safeguard the freedom of expression of the citizens they represent."
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