cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/26650519
The leader of a small group of self-described satanists and three other people were arrested Friday following a scuffle inside the Kansas Statehouse arising from an effort by the group’s leader to start a Black Mass in the rotunda.
About 30 members of the Kansas City-area Satanic Grotto, led by its president, Michael Stewart, rallied outside the Statehouse for the separation of church and state. The group also protested what members called the state’s favoritism toward Christians in allowing events inside. Gov. Laura Kelly temporarily banned protests inside, just for Friday, weeks after Stewart’s group scheduled its indoor ceremony.
The Satanic Grotto’s rally outside drew hundreds of Christian counterprotesters because of the Grotto’s satanic imagery, and its indoor ceremony included denouncing Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God. About 100 Christians stood against yellow police tape marking the Satanic Grotto’s area. The two groups yelled at each other while the Christians also sang and called on Grotto members to accept Jesus. Several hundred more Christians rallied on the other side of the Grotto’s area, but further away.
Kelly issued her order earlier this month after Roman Catholic groups pushed her to ban any Satanic Grotto event. The state’s Catholic Bishops called what the group planned “a despicable act of anti-Catholic bigotry” mocking the Catholic Mass. Both chambers of the Legislature also approved resolutions condemning it.
…
Satanic Grotto members, who number several dozen, said they hold a variety of beliefs. Some are atheists, some use the group to protest harm they suffered as church members, and others see Satan as a symbol of independence.
…
Video shot by KSNT-TV showed that when Stewart tried to conduct his group’s ceremony in the first-floor rotunda, a young man tried to snatch Stewart’s script from his hands, and Stewart punched him. Several Kansas Highway Patrol troopers wrestled Stewart to the ground and handcuffed him. They led him through hallways on the ground floor below and into a room as he yelled, “Hail, Satan!”
This guy seems like the douchey kind of Satanist. Especially since it sounds like they just showed up and started having a service. And then he threw the first punch when someone tried to grab his script.
The article doesn’t say whether they’re affiliated with the Satanic Church or The Satanic Temple, so I’m guessing neither.
Why’s the guy grabbing after his stuff? Some people do in fact need punched.
If it was a different religion would you say the same thing?
Yes. If some douchey unaffiliated Christian evangelicals, Jedi, or Pastafarians showed up to be disruptive and get into fights, I’d say the same for them.
That’s a very specific list of relgions you dislike. What if they were Catholic or Muslim?
That’s really not a very specific list. Being comprehensive and listing all religions that exist would be unreasonably and unnecessarily verbose.
Regardless, would you react the same if they were Catholic or Muslim?
They don’t tend to do stunts like this, but I thought “yes” was clear and direct enough of an answer.
I have personally seen Catholics preaching in my state capital
Well it does say they reserved the space three weeks in advance.
Just imagine what would happen if the tables were turned.
Note for when i make a religion: install electrodes in script.
It seems you missed the part where this was scheduled well in advance.
I think it would have funny if he cackled and yelled out. Yes. Yes. Give in to satan. Stealing is just the begining. feel how good it is to give in to satans influence and shame your lord in public. on camera. yes.
I did, yes.
No. You didn’t.
Stop saying they just “showed up” when you also state that you are aware that this was booked weeks in advance.
They say they did miss it, admitting their mistake. Your response makes no sense to me.
Also you don’t get to physically assault people by grabbing at them them and not expecting a response.
The cops clearly wanted any excuse to arrest him. It sounds like hes got a fine lawsuit from several directions available.