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"Once you open a public forum to religion, you can't then decide which ones you like best to represent in that public forum," said the temple's attorney, Stuart de Haan.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Controversy rages in the United States between those who wish to restrict government involvement with religious institutions and remove religious references from government institutions and property, and those who wish to loosen such prohibitions. Advocates for stronger separation of church and state emphasize the plurality of faiths and non-faiths in the country, and what they see as broad guarantees of the federal Constitution.
“Religious Liberty shall be interpreted to include freedom to worship according to conscience and to bring up children in the faith of their parents; freedom for the individual to change his religion; freedom to preach, educate, publish and carry on missionary activities; and freedom to organize with others, and to acquire and hold property, for these purposes.
According to the lawsuit filed this week in federal district court in Arizona, the Satanic Temple wasn't asked about community ties when it applied by phone to give the prayer. The group is asking a judge to find the city in violation of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment right to free speech and to prevent the city from denying prayer opportunities to non-Christian religious groups.
It has sought to start after-school Satan programs in protest of what it says is the erosion of the separation of church and state, install statues of Satan outside state capitols to counter Ten Commandments monuments and give opening prayers at City Council meetings.
The Satanic Temple is a national group with chapters in several states, including Arizona, that doesn't worship Satan or any deities.
originally posted by: Blaine91555
The Satanic Temple is a national group with chapters in several states, including Arizona, that doesn't worship Satan or any deities.
National group, not local and not a church. Why would they want to provide a prayer? This is just more nonsense from attention seekers.
originally posted by: shawmanfromny
Well, I haven't heard of any Satanist group recite a prayer in front of a city council meeting in the United States....have you? So I guess there are issues with "Satanists", which is the reason for my post.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
I have, too.
originally posted by: Joefoster
a reply to: skunkape23
Spent the night in Utah in a cave up in the hills
originally posted by: Blaine91555
a reply to: peter vlar
OK, that has nothing to do with the point that these people are not a part of that local community. They have no standing to even sue.
It also makes them not a religion at all, but instead a political group since they have no faith component. Just using that name does not make them a religion.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
It does not say political groups are protected in that way and this group is not a religion.
I have no issue with people opposed to prayer at government functions and it's best for all if it does not happen. This group however is not honest.
originally posted by: Blaine91555
a reply to: peter vlar
OK, that has nothing to do with the point that these people are not a part of that local community. They have no standing to even sue.
It also makes them not a religion at all, but instead a political group since they have no faith component. Just using that name does not make them a religion.
It does not say political groups are protected in that way and this group is not a religion.
I have no issue with people opposed to prayer at government functions and it's best for all if it does not happen. This group however is not honest.