The Iowa State Capitol witnessed the destruction of The Satanic Temple’s exhibit on Thursday, as reported by the Iowa State Police. A 35-year-old individual named Michael Cassidy was arrested for allegedly dismantling the Baphomet display belonging to the Iowa Satanic Temple.
He faces a 4th-degree criminal mischief charge. In a text to Fox News Digital, Cassidy admitted to dismantling the Satanic display, erected the previous week by The Satanic Temple of Iowa as a symbol of their assertion of religious freedom.
“It was extremely anti-Christian,” Cassidy said in an interview. Cassidy made an unsuccessful bid in 2022 to challenge Rep. Michael Guest, a Republican from Mississippi.
The ex-congressional candidate didn’t provide details on the motive behind toppling the statue. However, he shared a Bible verse on Thursday night following the charges.
“1 Peter 5:8 KJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,” he penned.
The Satanic Temple of Iowa stated on Facebook that the exhibit was irreparably damaged.
“We ask that for safety, visitors travel together and use the 7 Tenets as a reminder for empathy, in the knowledge that justice is being pursued the correct way, through legal means. Happy Holidays! Hail Satan!,” the group stated.
The Satanic Temple of Iowa stated on Facebook that the exhibit was irreparably damaged.
Lucien Greaves, one of the co-founders of The Satanic Temple, informed KCCI Des Moines in a previous statement that the exhibition was scheduled to be on display for a duration of two weeks.
“We’re going to really relish the opportunity to be represented in a public forum. We don’t have a church on every street corner.My feeling is if people don’t like our display in public forums, they don’t have to engage with them. They don’t have to view them,” Greaves stated.
