I’m old enough to remember when Republicans and conservatives mocked “triggered” liberals who couldn’t handle the public existence of ideas they disliked. They were right. But some, including Ron DeSantis, are acting in a sadly similar manner right now as they betray free speech and melt down over a “Satanic” display.
The controversy all started earlier this month when the Satanic Temple erected a display at the Iowa Capitol. As an officially recognized religion, they did this under the same equal access rules that allow for Christmas and nativity displays to go up in the government building.
Then, a Christian activist and failed politician took it upon himself to vandalize the Satanic Temple’s display. He has since been charged with a minor crime for this act of property destruction. But “law and order” Republicans like Ron DeSantis are rallying behind this “hero,” betraying free speech and property rights in the process.
“Satan has no place in our society and should not be recognized as a ‘religion’ by the federal government,” DeSantis tweeted. “I’ll chip in to contribute to this veteran’s legal defense fund. Good prevails over evil—that’s the American spirit.”
That’s right: The supposedly pro-religious freedom Republican is now cheering on vandalism, fundraising for lawbreakers, and arguing that the government should decide which religions are valid and worthy of rights and which are not.
Thankfully, some Republicans are taking a principled stand on this issue. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, for example, personally condemned the display but did not call for its removal or support the vandalism. And state Rep. Jon Dunwell, himself a Christian pastor, defended the Satanic Temple’s free speech rights while also personally condemning Satan.
(It’s worth noting that the Satanic Temple doesn’t actually believe in or worship Satan. Their beliefs are anti-theistic in nature.)
“I don’t want the government dictating, approving, or regulating religious expression,” Dunwell tweeted. “I would rather have an evil blasphemous display, or no display at all, than have the state dictate what they think is appropriate.”
“I write that as a Bible-believing, Jesus is the only way, Pastor and elected leader who respects the Constitution,” the Republican state lawmaker continued. “I am SHOCKED so many want to give up their freedom, so they don’t have to see a display they disagree with.”
He’s absolutely right. If you want to have Christian displays at government buildings, you must tolerate “Satanic” displays as well. You don’t have to like it. You can criticize it, pray against it, do all that kind of pushback and resistance. But public spaces must either not allow any religious messages or be open to all, consistent with our First Amendment and the establishment clause that prevents the government from establishing and favoring one religion over all the others.
Sorry, DeSantis, but you can’t have free speech and freedom of religion but just not for the ones you really don’t like. Newsflash: some people really don’t like your religion; your beliefs. They view them as just as crazy as you all view the Satanic Temple.
Some of these conservatives are arguing that the Satanic Temple isn’t a legitimate faith. It’s not a “real” religion, so they shouldn’t be entitled to the same rights.
To that I say… hold up: are you really saying the government should decide which religions are “legitimate” and which are not? Are you sure about that?
That’s not going to work out well for you when federal bureaucrats decide your religion isn’t legitimate because it’s homophobic, or transphobic, or whatever.
You either have religious freedom for all, or for none. It really is that simple.
It’s also bizarre to see Republicans celebrating and fundraising for the vandal as if he’s some sort of hero. Sorry, no. Actually, vandalism is bad. You don’t have a right to destroy other people’s property just because you don’t like it. He should be prosecuted.
To those conservatives who would like to see this guy get away with it… are you going to keep that same energy for the next time Black Lives Matter vandalizes a police station or a small business? These are more extreme examples, but the same principle of respect for private property is at stake. And do you really want atheists to be able to vandalize your nativity display because they don’t like it?
Once again, I’m just asking for some consistency here, guys. Let’s stand for free speech and freedom of religion across the board.
When Republicans like Ron DeSantis try to make exceptions for the stuff they find really offensive, they undermine the rights that protect all of our speech and beliefs. If you ask me, that’s “triggered snowflake” behavior.
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