Major props to Michael Cassidy, the man who beheaded the Baphomet display in the Iowa state capitol. I hope this incident elevates the discussion of "Who is God" in this country. Traditionally God has been considered the Creator. That was certainly the perspective of our founding fathers. This country was founded on a framework of Judeo-Christian values placing God the Creator as the source of all human rights.
Satan is not a creator. Satan is created. Created by whom? By God. Although he rebelled against God, he is not God, he is a created being. In Romans 1:23, the admonishment to not worship creation is clearly stated. Of course, anyone who would worship Satan will ignore the bible.
Point being, I don't think the founding fathers ever considered worship of Satan to be a protected religious practice. Our nation was built upon the belief in a benevolent God. The first amendment right to freedom of worship really should be interpreted as intended to allow free worship of God the Creator, not free worship of creation or any created entity. We are confusing worship of spiritual entities (demons) for the worship of God. I hope in the new America this misinterpretation is corrected.
No. Sorry, but no. It’s very clear that the founders believed that you should be free to worship anything you believed in. It’s better referred to as freedom of conscience, and that goes hand in hand with freedom of speech. That said, our entire system of laws exists to protect us from actions inspired by any belief that infringes upon our agreed upon, inalienable rights. You can no more control what a man believes in, or claims to believe in, than you can control the weather. But you can throw someone’s ass in jail if they hurt you or steal from you or conspire with others to do so. While I don’t think effigies to Satan belong in public buildings, you’re walking a dangerous line when you start claiming that people with different beliefs than yours shouldn’t qualify for the same legal protections you enjoy. Doesn’t matter what they call what they worship. No matter how detestable you find it. Does that mean we should be stupid and open our borders to say…millions of Muslims who have shown a tendency for abusing the democratic processes in Republics to enact Sharia law? Of course not. But as for people who are already here, if their religion is so dangerous, they’ll find themselves in jail soon enough, as long as our laws are upheld according to precedent. Sorry not sorry.