The merry Establishment Clause tricksters of the Satanic Temple held a big unveiling of their 1-ton statue of Baphomet over the weekend. Because they’re still waiting on a permit to place it next to the Ten Commandments monument at Oklahoma’s Capitol building — a monument that may be coming down anyway — the unveiling was held at the Satanic Temple’s chapter in Detroit. Not surprisingly, American Family Association radio guy Bryan Fischer is plenty angry about it, and would like you all to know that if we followed the REAL Constitution of the United States, none of this would be allowed, because the Founders only meant the First Amendment to apply to Christians.
The idea that America is founded on the principle of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness (So Long As You’re Christian) is burned into the tiny little lizard brains of those who, like Bryan Fischer, are convinced the 1st Amendment applies only to Christians. If you believe in the “majority rules” principle than runs our democracy, I suppose you might believe the majority religion is the One, True, and ONLY Faith- everything else being blasphemy and idolatry.
The REAL Constitution is a document that makes no distinction between Christians and other, “lesser” religions. In fact, the 1st Amendment’s Establishment Clause expressly proscribes Congress from favoring the interests of one religion over another (Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.) There’s nothing in the Constitution- or anywhere else- that would lend credence to Fischer’s contention that the Founding Fathers meant for the Constitution to apply only to Christians. He’s free to his opinion, but that doesn’t free him from the reality that he’s wrong.
Their argument is quite simple: the First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, so if you allow a Christian symbol, you must allow a satanic one, on the grounds of fairness and multiculturalism and diversity and all.
Acolytes will unveil more and more of these statues, and aim to put them on government grounds and in government buildings. If this process is not stopped, Satan-worship will be enshrined in the halls of government from sea to shining sea.
Tell you what, Bry…as soon as you can show me in the Constitution (or your Bible) where it says that ONLY Christians are allowed rights that followers of Jesus Christ claim as their birthright, I’ll join you in insisting the 1st Amendment applies ONLY to Christians. I can say this openly and without hesitation…because I’m fairly certain you’ll NEVER find anything in the Constitution and Scripture to justify your self-importance and arrogance.
The fine folks at the Satanic Temple are correct, of course. The 1st Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, even as it clearly states government cannot favor the interests of one faith tradition over another. This is why time and time again, Nativity scenes on government property have been held to be violations of the Establishment Clause. If you allow a symbol of one religion on public property, then ALL religions must be granted the same access. Want to allow a Nativity scene or a Ten Commandments memorial in the county courthouse? Sure…but you’d best be prepared to allow a menorah or a statue of Baphomet, or any other religious symbol. Talk about the Law of Unintended Consequences, eh?
I have to admire the acolytes of the Satanic Temple for demonstrating what the 1st Amendment is truly about. No, the phrase “separation of Church and State” doesn’t specifically appear in the Constitution, but the Establishment Clause oboviates the need for that specific verbiage. Government CANNOT favor one religion over another; if you want to allow a Christian symbol or monument on public property, you must also be prepared to allow ALL religious symbols or monuments put forth.
Open the flood gates and be prepared to be swept away by the rushing water…or respect and obey the Constitution you claim as your own.
