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The Satanic Temple Rally in Little Rock Arkansas
7 years ago
General
Been a while since I've posted a journal, and I've had a really nice experience recently, on the 16th my family and I were able to able to attend a rally for religious liberty by The Satanic Temple at the Arkansas State capitol.
In short, the state senator Rapert erected a Ten Commandments monument on government property, which is a big no-no as per the first amendment and separation of church and state. So, to make a point for religious equality, The Satanic Temple sought to install it's own Baphomet monument, only for sneaky and underhanded lawmakers to quickly throw together an excuse for denying the statue. I'm not very good at legal jargon, but you can get more details from one of the news articles I found here:
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-st.....kansas-capitol
So thus, the Rally was staged as a means of calling Rapert out on his blatant discrimination, and raising awareness of the issue.
It was a very empowering experience and I met a lot of wonderful people! There were many speakers including two Christian ones and Mr. Lucien Greaves himself! Even the Templar Knights were there, which i didn't know were still around until that moment. Lots of water was passed around to help everyone keep hydrated.
There were a lot of Christian counter-protesters, whom were either missing the point of the rally or - as I remember how their worldview works - felt threatened because in their reality the devil is real and somehow a threat.. However, most of them were civil and did not get physical or in any of our faces, except for one man who interrupted one of the Christian speakers to verbally harass him. The speaker politely allowed him to speak his piece before the man was led away by police officers.
The KKK was also counter-protesting us, but in much smaller numbers. A group of three old racist bastards, just standing around with flags behind us.
It was very hot out - my wife and I helped save one man who was becoming very ill from the heat, and I myself had to step into the shade at one point, feeling very sick from the heat, at which point a kind man came over to check on me and give me a drink to help me stay hydrated. I got really sunburned because I was dumb and didn't put on sunscreen or a hat *chuckles* But i seem to be healing up pretty okay.
I feel really proud to have been a part of the event and to have helped fund Baphomets transportation. I've been rather busy since trying to correct people's misconceptions about the statue, Satanism and The Satanic Temple when I encounter them online, and keeping an eye on any terrorist threats made (and there definitely have been threats of both murder and vandalism). Also been having a good time interacting online with all the new friends i made.
In short, the state senator Rapert erected a Ten Commandments monument on government property, which is a big no-no as per the first amendment and separation of church and state. So, to make a point for religious equality, The Satanic Temple sought to install it's own Baphomet monument, only for sneaky and underhanded lawmakers to quickly throw together an excuse for denying the statue. I'm not very good at legal jargon, but you can get more details from one of the news articles I found here:
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-st.....kansas-capitol
So thus, the Rally was staged as a means of calling Rapert out on his blatant discrimination, and raising awareness of the issue.
It was a very empowering experience and I met a lot of wonderful people! There were many speakers including two Christian ones and Mr. Lucien Greaves himself! Even the Templar Knights were there, which i didn't know were still around until that moment. Lots of water was passed around to help everyone keep hydrated.
There were a lot of Christian counter-protesters, whom were either missing the point of the rally or - as I remember how their worldview works - felt threatened because in their reality the devil is real and somehow a threat.. However, most of them were civil and did not get physical or in any of our faces, except for one man who interrupted one of the Christian speakers to verbally harass him. The speaker politely allowed him to speak his piece before the man was led away by police officers.
The KKK was also counter-protesting us, but in much smaller numbers. A group of three old racist bastards, just standing around with flags behind us.
It was very hot out - my wife and I helped save one man who was becoming very ill from the heat, and I myself had to step into the shade at one point, feeling very sick from the heat, at which point a kind man came over to check on me and give me a drink to help me stay hydrated. I got really sunburned because I was dumb and didn't put on sunscreen or a hat *chuckles* But i seem to be healing up pretty okay.
I feel really proud to have been a part of the event and to have helped fund Baphomets transportation. I've been rather busy since trying to correct people's misconceptions about the statue, Satanism and The Satanic Temple when I encounter them online, and keeping an eye on any terrorist threats made (and there definitely have been threats of both murder and vandalism). Also been having a good time interacting online with all the new friends i made.
Senator RAPErt's actions are truly an embarrassment. His blatant defiance of both the state and federal constitutions are grounds for his removal from office, not should be, ARE. Unfortunately the same christian conservatives he pandered to to get elected would sooner coat themselves in pitch and light themselves on fire than admit to any wrongdoing, no matter how factual and provable it is. He is a coward and a thug, employing the same propaganda tactics as many other religious shysters and political hustlers before him, lying as he needs to, preying upon the fears and hysteria of the mentally unfit and emotionally vulnerable as it benefits him.
The work of TST is for the benefit of all Americans, protecting and promoting religious freedom for EVERYONE, not just christians. Seeing so many of said folke react in such a manner as they have, threats of violence and general rudeness, is very telling of their lack of understanding of the situation at hand and the laws involved, not to mention a severe act of disrespect to their own supposed saviour.
After all, there is no harm in reminded them that the state constitution says civil armament is for "the common defense" and that vandalism (or assault) is a crime ;)
Can't wait for this horse shit to finally be over... It sucks to realize just how HATEFUL some of my fellow Christians can act :/ I thought we were past this... now I feel like when the statue is set in stone, pun intended... I will have to stop by every time I'm in town to see if I have to educate any dimwitted crazies BEARING FALSE WITNESS about the temple >.> its a burden, non? but let us be not weary, right?
Can you believe I've quoted God defending other faiths and cultures out of the bible to people and been chastised with the words of MEN? like Wallace Shaun... INCONCEIVABLE
also, from what I've read online, it looks like the Christian speaker who was getting heckled may have one of those "fruitcake" reputations... like the pastor who wanted to burn a pile of Qurans and stream it online. or the two pastors who PRAISED the Pulse shooting... I should probably stop I'm almost shaking already >.> I don't just see HATEFUL people... I see souls going straight for the fire... and it tears me apart inside... and I'm not stupid... I know they actually believe you guys are going to be WORSHIPING the statue... like that makes any sense, having actually LEARNED about the temple...
like... really 0.o ??? I told one guy when he called your protest group "anti christian bigots" that it shows his utter lack of knowledge about the temple... next thing I know I have people accusing me of being a pagan whore and telling me that I can't be Christian if I think like this...
really, great on you guys though... we can all work together to build a better world, on the legal battlefields AND in the hearts and minds of others... ^_^ one step at a time...one day at a time... one LIFE...at a time <3 all in the name of LOVE.