Latest news with #MortimerAdramelech
CTV News
2 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Satanic Temple accuses Iowa officials of religious discrimination
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Satanic Temple Iowa on Tuesday filed a complaint accusing state officials of discriminating against the group because of its members' religion, having denied them access to the state Capitol building for a December holiday display and event. The group's holiday observances garnered national attention in 2023 after a Mississippi man destroyed their Iowa Statehouse display depicting the horned deity Baphomet, which was permitted in the rotunda along with a Christmas tree and other religious holiday installations. The Satanic Temple Iowa's application for a display and event in December 2024 was denied, a decision that the organization says violated its members' constitutional rights and Iowa civil rights law. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a statement that state Capitol policies reflect the potential impact on children and families, given that they routinely visit the public building and spaces around it. 'This satanic event, which specifically targeted children, would have been harmful to minors and so it was denied,' Reynolds said. A message seeking comment was left with the state's Department of Administrative Services, which oversees the use of public space in the Iowa Capitol, and whose director, Adam Steen, is named on the complaint. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed the complaint with Iowa's civil rights office Tuesday on behalf of Mortimer Adramelech, minister of Satan for the Iowa Satanic Temple congregation. Rita Bettis Austen, ACLU Iowa's legal director, said the complaint with the civil rights office is the first step required before a legal claim of discrimination under Iowa civil rights law can be filed in court. The state's ACLU chapter hopes the complaint will be enough for state officials to reverse course. The ACLU of Iowa also filed a lawsuit in April after Reynolds' office withheld or redacted requested records related to the Satanic Temple's display and event, citing executive privilege. Founded in 2013, the Salem, Massachusetts-based Satanic Temple says it doesn't believe in Satan but describes itself as a 'non-theistic religious organization' that advocates for secularism. It is separate from the Church of Satan, which was founded in the 1960s. The complaint references a decision by Steen to deny the group's application because obscene materials and gratuitous violence are not permitted in the building that regularly hosts children of all ages. Steen told the group the costumes they proposed for the event included sticks that could be 'used as weapons on children' and 'positions the event to be harmful to minors.' The Satanic Temple alleges that was an 'absurd, unfounded concern' used to justify the denial and that their application specified the event would be family friendly. The complaint cites open records that the organization says make it clear the governor's office and Steen were meeting at the time to prepare a response. 'The simple truth is the State of Iowa does not want to allow Satanists to enjoy the same access to the Iowa State Capitol as other 'mainstream' religions, in particular Christianity, and in particular during the Christmas holiday season,' the complaint reads. Hannah Fingerhut, The Associated Press
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Satanic Temple accuses Iowa officials of religious discrimination
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Satanic Temple Iowa on Tuesday filed a complaint accusing state officials of discriminating against the group because of its members' religion, having denied them access to the state Capitol building for a December holiday display and event. The group's holiday observances garnered national attention in 2023 after a Mississippi man destroyed their Iowa Statehouse display depicting the horned deity Baphomet, which was permitted in the rotunda along with a Christmas tree and other religious holiday installations. The temple's application for a display and event in December 2024 was denied, a decision that the organization says violated its members' constitutional rights and Iowa civil rights law. Messages seeking comment were left with the state's Department of Administrative Services, which oversees the use of public space in the Iowa Capitol; and with Gov. Kim Reynolds' office. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed the complaint with Iowa's civil rights office Tuesday on behalf of Mortimer Adramelech, minister of Satan for the Iowa Satanic Temple congregation. Rita Bettis Austen, ACLU Iowa's legal director, said the complaint with the civil rights office is the first step required before a legal claim of discrimination under Iowa civil rights law can be filed in court. The state's ACLU chapter hopes the complaint will be enough for state officials to reverse course. The ACLU of Iowa also filed a lawsuit in April after Gov. Kim Reynolds' office withheld or redacted requested records related to the Satanic Temple's display and event, citing executive privilege. The complaint references a decision by Adam Steen, administrative services director, to deny the group's application because obscene materials and gratuitous violence are not permitted in the building that regularly hosts children of all ages. Steen told the group the costumes they proposed for the event included sticks that could be 'used as weapons on children' and 'positions the event to be harmful to minors.' The Satanic Temple alleges that was an 'absurd, unfounded concern' used to justify the denial and that their application specified the event would be family friendly. The complaint cites open records that the organization says make it clear the governor's office and Steen were meeting at the time to prepare a response. 'The simple truth is the State of Iowa does not want to allow Satanists to enjoy the same access to the Iowa State Capitol as other 'mainstream' religions, in particular Christianity, and in particular during the Christmas holiday season,' the complaint reads.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Satanic Temple accuses Iowa officials of religious discrimination
The Satanic Temple Iowa on Tuesday filed a complaint accusing state officials of discriminating against the group because of its members' religion, having denied them access to the state Capitol building for a December holiday display and event. The group's holiday observances garnered national attention in 2023 after a Mississippi man destroyed their Iowa Statehouse display depicting the horned deity Baphomet, which was permitted in the rotunda along with a Christmas tree and other religious holiday installations. The temple's application for a display and event in December 2024 was denied, a decision that the organization says violated its members' constitutional rights and Iowa civil rights law. Messages seeking comment were left with the state's Department of Administrative Services, which oversees the use of public space in the Iowa Capitol; and with Gov. Kim Reynolds' office. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed the complaint with Iowa's civil rights office Tuesday on behalf of Mortimer Adramelech, minister of Satan for the Iowa Satanic Temple congregation. Rita Bettis Austen, ACLU Iowa's legal director, said the complaint with the civil rights office is the first step required before a legal claim of discrimination under Iowa civil rights law can be filed in court. The state's ACLU chapter hopes the complaint will be enough for state officials to reverse course. The ACLU of Iowa also filed a lawsuit in April after Gov. Kim Reynolds' office withheld or redacted requested records related to the Satanic Temple's display and event, citing executive privilege. The complaint references a decision by Adam Steen, administrative services director, to deny the group's application because obscene materials and gratuitous violence are not permitted in the building that regularly hosts children of all ages. Steen told the group the costumes they proposed for the event included sticks that could be 'used as weapons on children' and 'positions the event to be harmful to minors.' The Satanic Temple alleges that was an 'absurd, unfounded concern' used to justify the denial and that their application specified the event would be family friendly. The complaint cites open records that the organization says make it clear the governor's office and Steen were meeting at the time to prepare a response. 'The simple truth is the State of Iowa does not want to allow Satanists to enjoy the same access to the Iowa State Capitol as other 'mainstream' religions, in particular Christianity, and in particular during the Christmas holiday season,' the complaint reads.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Educators, clergy object to lack of training requirements in school chaplain bill
Connie Ryan of the Iowa Interfaith Alliance, left, speaks at an Iowa House subcommittee meeting against a bill allowing religious chaplains in public schools on Feb. 25, 2025, as Mortimer Adramelech, a "minister of Satan" listens. (Photo by Kathie Obradovich/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Public schools could engage religious chaplains under a bill that Republican lawmakers advanced out of an Iowa House subcommittee on Tuesday. House File 334 would allow public school districts and charter schools to hire chaplains or allow them on a volunteer basis to provide 'services' to students and staff. A similar bill moved out of subcommittees in the House and Senate last year but did not receive committee consideration. Representatives of public schools, social workers and several religious faiths opposed the bill at Tuesday's subcommittee meeting. Most cited concerns about a lack of any guidance or limits in the bill on what chaplains would be allowed to do in a school and the bill's silence on any requirements for training, certification or licensure. Rev. Brigit Stevens of the United Church of Christ said she's served as a chaplain for police, sheriff and fire departments as well as a denominational executive. 'I'm pro-chaplain,' she said. But, she said, she opposes the bill because of its lack of requirements for training and accountability. 'Children are already vulnerable, and I do not want, as a parent, unvetted, uncredentialed, untrained, unaccountable access to my kids by folks calling themselves chaplains,' she said. '… This bill is dangerous in that it doesn't require that kind of backing up, authority, accountability, training and vetting.' Opponents also objected to the lack of a requirement that a chaplain be a mandatory reporter for abuse. Another speaker, who identified himself as Mortimer Adramelech, a minister of Satan, who also spoke at last year's hearing, said he continues to oppose the bill because of concern that religious programs are not appropriate for public schools. 'Religious services and programs should take place in religious institutions, not public ones,' he said. But, he added, 'I would like to remind you all that if this bill passes, highly qualified Satanic Temple ministers are ready and available to serve as chaplains in public schools.' Advocates of the bill, however, argued that chaplains would contribute to school safety. Greg Baker, a lobbyist for the Family Leader, a Christian organization, noted the widespread use of chaplains by first responders and said he views schools these days as 'first responding' locations. 'Teachers are often the front lines in our community, so I think it makes sense to offer this service also in schools,' he said. Johnny Davis, chief development officer with the National School Chaplain Association, said certified chaplains 'make schools safer,' by providing preventative care and allowing individuals to 'unburden' themselves before a tragedy such as a school shooting can occur. He argued that there are no Satanic chaplains working in any institution in the U.S. Rep. Helena Hayes, R-New Sharon, said she was happy to hear that. She defended the bill's lack of requirements for training or certification by saying it's a form of local control, and it would be up to school boards to decide on qualifications. 'The bill doesn't say you have to allow anybody off the street, as assigned by the school board. And those people are elected. We all know that they answer to the voters. If they're not pleased, the school's gonna know.' She and bill sponsor Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla, R-Pella, supported the bill, which bill moves next to the House Education Committee. Rep. Elinor Levin, D-Iowa City, did not support the bill.
