There are plenty of images and decorations for Christmas. Because of Constitutional concerns over separation of Church and State, you don’t find many of them displayed on government property. The state of Iowa is an exception; it permits religious displays on government property during holiday periods. A Nativity set was put up on the rotunda of the Iowa state capitol.
No sooner was the Nativity up than the Satanic Temple of Iowa demanded they be allowed to erect an altar at the Iowa state house, not far from the Nativity.1 Though the Governor personally opposed such a display, she said, by law, they must also be allowed to display their religious symbol. The symbol is said to represent the pagan idol Baphomet, a figure with a gilded ram’s head, wearing a cape. The state did insist they not use a real ram’s head.
An ordained minister in the Christian and Missionary Alliance stirred up public debate by agreeing with the Governor that government neutrality on religion on religion and First Amendment rights meant allowing the satanic statue to be displayed.
A Navy pilot and former congressional candidate from Mississippi saw the debate on social media. He drove to Des Moines and cut off the head of the satanic idol. For his moral outrage, he was charged with fourth degree criminal mischief, and could be awarded a year in prison along with the opportunity to donate up to $2650 to Iowa.
When I first learned of the Naval officer’s action, I shouted, “Hoo-rah Navy!” Politicians already have a difficult enough time making morally correct decisions without placing a satanic statue on their pathway to legislation.
I discovered there is a Satanic Temple somewhere in North Carolina, though I don’t think it has any branches in eastern NC where we live. Its stated purpose is to “positively impact the residents of North Carolina.” Such an impact, if they were to erect a satanic idol, might result in many representatives of all Armed Forces, active and retired, volunteering to cut the head off the statue.
When I discussed the news story at a recent pastors meeting, several interesting points were raised about the greater importance of telling someone about your faith instead of pointing to pictures or statues. I did a little research and discovered most members of the Satanic Temple are atheists who use Satan as a metaphor for not being subject to any rules. That’s good insight because Jesus told us we would encounter opposition from false teachers, and we should use the opportunity to witness to them (Luke 21:13).
Another interesting point was most people have seen numerous pictures of a baby in a manger, angels, crosses, drawings of Jesus, etc. So much so that, today, fewer and fewer people can tell you what those images truly mean. Perhaps we should be less concerned about displays of Christianity on government property and more concerned about speaking to people about the truth of God’s word and the coming of His Son to earth as a baby in a manger. As believers, we are to be witnesses for Jesus throughout the world (Acts 2:32). It is more difficult to go tell it on the mountain this Christmas, than to sing Go Tell It On the Mountain. Why not do both?
Nomads2 