Iowa's Satanic Temple Put Up An Altar In The Iowa Capitol, And People Are Deeply Unhappy About It

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Ooh, there's drama in Iowa!

"Everything's ungodly!"
Fox

A Satanic altar was put up in the Iowa State Capitol by the Satanic Temple of Iowa last week.

"It's dark-sided."
Fox

Here's the display, which will be up for two weeks:

Twitter: @jdunwell

According to Iowa representative Jon Dunwell, "Access for displays at the Capitol are open to anyone through an application process. Though there are some guidelines, they do not discriminate on the basis of religion or ideology."

News footage of the Satanic display
KCCI

As expected, some people are really mad about it.

"Gargoyles! Psychics! Everything's ungodly!"
Fox

"These people are sick and disgusting," someone posted.

"These people are sick and disgusting!"
X

"This is spiritual warfare!!" another said.

"This is spiritual warefare!!"
X

Representative Dunwell explained how he felt on X.

Twitter: @jdunwell

"My observation as a follower of Christ, I certainly find a display from the Satanic Temple objectionable," he posted. "It stands in direct opposition to my faith and would be classified as evil."

News footage of the altar
KCCI

Another representative, Brad Sherman, called the display "disgusting" in his newsletter.

Closeup of the Satanic altar
KCCI

According to KCCI, people have organized prayer circles around the Christmas tree in the Capitol.

People praying in front of the Iowa Christmas tree
KCCI

Governor Kim Reynolds shared a picture of one such prayer circle, saying, "Free speech is a right afforded to all. But how we use it matters. Today’s event is proof that in the battle between good and evil, good will always prevail."

Twitter: @IAGovernor

In their defense, the President of the Satanic Temple told the Des Moines Register, "People assume that we're there to insult Christians, and we're not."

Closeup of the President of the Satanic Temple
KCCI

"I would hope that even people who disagree with the symbolism behind our values," he continued. "It's certainly a greater evil to allow the government to pick and choose between forms of religious expression."

News footage of the Satanic altar
KCCI

Ultimately, I think this person sums this whole thing up best:

Twitter: @RealiaAmelia

Bye!

GIF of a woman slyly smiling
Fox