Iowa Republican introduces bill to prevent state recognition of Satanism as a religion

The move comes just weeks after a controversial holiday display installed in the state Capitol by the Satanic Temple was vandalized by a Christian veteran, who has since been charged with a hate crime. The Satanic Temple says they do not believe in Satan but use the ethos of Satan to push for ritual abortion, to gain state-funding, and advocate for libertine lifestyles. They routinely sue public schools to force them to allow After School Satan Clubs across the US.

"The state or any political subdivision of the state shall not recognize organizations or individuals who refer to Satan as a deity, worship Satan, or who reference Satan or Satanism as part of the organization's or individual's religious practice as an establishment of religion," the bill reads.

"Displays, symbols, or the practice of Satanic worship shall not be allowed on public property, in public schools, on property owned by public schools, or on any property owned by the state or its political subdivisions," it continues, adding that, "any act of Satanic practice or worship that involves the ending of a life or the shedding of blood, whether the sacrifice be an animal or human, is prohibited."

Salmon goes on to argue that "evil is personified in the creature known as Satan," and that, "it is the duty of the government to play an appropriate role in protecting the inhabitant residents of Iowa from evil while encouraging and facilitating good."

"It is legally and constitutionally inconsistent," she claims, "to afford Satan, who is universally understood to be an enemy of God, religious expression on public property by a state government that depends upon God for continued blessings. Such a legal view violates our state constitution and offends the God upon whom we depend and undermines our well-being."

While Salmon has received support from other likeminded believers, her bill has drawn the ire of many prominent non-Christians, who argue it violates citizens' freedom of religion. Hemant Mehta, for example, called it a "blatantly illegal" attempt by Christian lawmakers to "promote their faith while denigrating others."

Satanic Temple co-founder Lucien Greaves warned Salmon that, "while you might not like public displays of one type, there is a whole unraveling that takes place when you start allowing the government to pick and choose which forms of expression they agree with, narrow their definition of what they think an appropriate religion is, and also try to give nonbelief in general a lower tier in citizenship."

The group was not founded as a religion and was intended first and foremost to be a protest against organized religion.

If passed, the bill would amend existing laws to make violating the aforementioned rules a criminal offense subject to prosecution.