Michigan Republican Rep. Josh Shriver is finalizing a policy that would prevent non-theistic faiths such as the Church of Satan from benefiting from religious tax exemptions, the congressman announced in late December.
“Actually, we're working on a policy right now, which I haven't introduced yet, but it's actually to focus on distinguishing between the church, the church of Jesus Christ, and this 'church of the devil.' ” Shriver announced on the broadcast.
To Shriver, it doesn't seem right that a Christian organization and a Satanic organization are no different from each other in the eyes of the state government.
“There really is a problem with them being seen as equals in the eyes of the state, which doesn’t seem right to me for a number of good reasons. I think it is a very appropriate thing to do to remove that position.”
“There are many examples where we look at the First Amendment and it doesn’t actually protect against obscenity,” Shriver continued.
Shriver also told the radio station that he was drafting another bill to outlaw pornographic images, declaring that “there is no need for moral and religious people to indulge in certain things.” It justified this policy proposal.
“As God's appointed representatives, we have a duty to lead our people to a nation that is not just good, not just great, but godly,” Shriver continued.
“To be honest, I work for God, not for man. So at the end of the day, I answer to one person, and that is Jesus Christ,” the congressman concluded.
An Iowa veteran named Michael Cassidy decapitated a Satanic Temple exhibit installed at the Iowa State Capitol in December to combat a Nativity scene. The reason was that the temple wanted to be “represented'' in a “public forum.''
A former Navy pilot turned himself in to police after decapitating a demonic exhibitor. (Related: Ron DeSantis offers to pay legal costs for veteran who decapitated demon statue)
We don't always behead Satan at the Iowa State Capitol, but when we do, we make it count. #Death to Satan pic.twitter.com/iLxjDMjo8n
— Eric Cook (@Greentownmayor) December 14, 2023
“The world may tell Christians to meekly accept Satan's justifications, but none of the Founders believed that the government would sanction a Satanic altar inside the Capitol, which is protected by the First Amendment.” I wouldn’t have thought about it,” Cassidy said. Said Sentinel said in a statement. (Related: 'Kind of Passe': Church of Satan pans Sam Smith's diabolical Grammy performance)
The Satanic Temple also installed a goat exhibit at the Michigan State Capitol in December, days after the Iowa statue incident.
