Satanists Demand “an interactive display for children” at the Oklahoma Statehouse

When a statue of the 10 Commandments was erected on the Capitol grounds in Oklahoma, the legislature members who approved it probably didn’t expect the iconic symbol of Christian values to open the door to a monument from the controversial Satanic Temple.

But that is exactly what happened.  Satanic Temple members are demanding the right to erect their own display, citing freedom of religion.  If Christians get a monument, they assert that their religion should be likewise commemorated at the Statehouse.

Satanist Lucien Greaves believes that their request will be approved, telling ABC News, ““I really don’t see a grounds which they can reject this.”

While the ACLU has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the 10 Commandments monument, Greaves has no issue with it.

Greaves does not see a problem with the Christian monument, as long as it does not stand alone.

“I feel that the statue is only problematic when it stands alone,” Greaves said. “It would change the dynamic with our monument there. We aren’t objecting to the Ten Commandments monument, we’re objecting to the monument standing alone.”

When asked what the Satanic monument would look like, Greaves said he doesn’t want to “reveal too much about the possible design options,” but hinted that his “favorite design, at the moment, is an interactive display for children.” (source)

According to the official website, the Satanic Temple is an organized religion.  Members believe that they have been unjustly persecuted and demonized ” as a result of misunderstandings, intolerance, and fear-mongering opportunism.”  The erection of their monument in a public place is part of their outreach, in order to gain greater acceptance and understanding.

“Though we have far to go before public education leads to a mainstream embrace of our Satanic religion, we feel that our own public “coming out” will go a long way toward raising the consciousness of the populace… and the social environment has never yet been better prepared for the welcoming of a new Satanic era.”  (source)

Satanists could have an uphill battle on their hands trying to win acceptance from the residents of Oklahoma.  Last year, the state ranked in the top 10 most Christian states in the nation. 65% of the residents consider themselves to be affiliated with a religious organization.  Of those, 41% of Oklahomans are Evangelical Protestant in faith, with the majority of those being Southern Baptist, 14% are Methodist, 10% are Catholic, and the remaining 36% are classified as “other”.