Iowa: The Satanic Temple Sets Up ‘Baphomet’ Display in State Capitol
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Iowa authorities have allowed The Satanic Temple (TST) to set up a two-week public exhibition in the State Capitol featuring ram’s horns and a mannequin called Baphomet dressed in red clothes, Nexstar Media reports.
While TST claims that its mission is to “encourage benevolence and empathy, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense, oppose injustice, and undertake noble pursuits,” Baphomet is a demonic idol that was said to be worshiped by the Knights Templar and which has been incorporated into Western occultic traditions.
Amid protests from Christians and others who have argued the installation is unconstitutional, the Iowa authorities told Nexstar Media that TST the group correctly followed the procedure to gain approval for the display. The Atheists and Freethinkers group have a display next to theTST installation.
In a statement to Nexstar Media, Kathy Barnette, a member of the Christian prayer group which prays at the Iowa State Capitol every week, said: “What I’m grateful about is that there are those who recognize that we are in a spiritual battle. About 40 of us in that room and not only do we love all people, including those who put this Satanic display up at Christmas time, but even more than our love, Jesus, Jesus loves them as well.”
In a separate statement, prayer group leader Paul Dykstra told Nexstar Media: “God uses all evil to good, he’ll turn it to good. So if people become aware that these things are out there, they become more alert to watch for it.”
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