Spirituality
27 Jul 15
I read in the media this morning that Detriot has become the new site for the unveiling yesterday of a large satanic statue, after it was rejected by Oalahoma City, apparently. According to several reports it was a raucous affair with hundreds of people queuing to see it amidst complaints from the local Catholic Church. I am surprised there wasn't more objections from local churches. Is there anyone here from Detroit or the Michigan area who has heard about this?
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/07/25/group-to-unveil-satan-statue-in-detroit-during-largest-public-satanic-ceremony-in-history/
27 Jul 15
2 edits
Originally posted by twhiteheadAs far as I can tell it is privately funded and on private land so there is no political or legal position to object. I would still speak with them if it was possible, as part of my own freedom of speech, but I would do so peacefully and probably through a meeting with them and or via a letter explaining my views and asking them to reconsider; I wouldn't join in some sort of street protest waving banners with such claims as "the end is nigh" or something like that. After all they do have freedom of religion and it is their prerogative to worship whom they choose and presumably they have been doing so for sometime without the local churches getting all twisted out of shape of it. It seems to me that very often christian "protest" arises due to something becoming public, or more public than it was and the Christians react to the publicity rather than taking a more spiritually considered prayerful approach and allowing god to deal with it. It is a matter of personal choice.
Would you object? Surely you believe in freedom of religion? Is it on public land or being paid for by public funds?
27 Jul 15
1 edit
Originally posted by divegeesterTo reconsider their beliefs, or reconsider putting up a statue?
I would still speak with them if it was possible, as part of my own freedom of speech, but I would do so peacefully and probably through a meeting with them and or via a letter explaining my views and asking them to reconsider;
Do you do the same for other religions? If it was a Buddhist statue, would you also wish to speak to them and ask them to reconsider?
27 Jul 15
Originally posted by twhiteheadIf I was in the situation i.e. I living locally and I knew there was a satanic church nearby I could possibly (although not necessarily) feel led to address them personally about both their religion and the statue. I don't believe that despite Christians having a (albeit varying degree of) belief in the supernatural, that they should be concerned about talking to these people unless they are the type of people who are predisposed to violence or are particularly militant against Christianity. I've never come into contact with anyone from a satanic church so it's difficult to say how I would feel.
To reconsider their beliefs, or reconsider putting up a statue?
27 Jul 15
Originally posted by divegeesterBut do you see it just like any other religion, or do you see it as somehow directly opposed to Christianity (as you seem to imply might be the case with your OP).
I've never come into contact with anyone from a satanic church so it's difficult to say how I would feel.
Originally posted by divegeesterDetroit seems to be a better fit than Oklahoma City.
I read in the media this morning that Detriot has become the new site for the unveiling yesterday of a large satanic statue, after it was rejected by Oalahoma City, apparently. According to several reports it was a raucous affair with hundreds of people queuing to see it amidst complaints from the local Catholic Church. I am surprised there wasn't more ...[text shortened]... 07/25/group-to-unveil-satan-statue-in-detroit-during-largest-public-satanic-ceremony-in-history/
Just say'in.
Washington DC would be an even better fit, however.
27 Jul 15
Originally posted by twhiteheadI don't see how Satanism cannot be directly opposed to Christianity. However I accept that some of the followers may not realise it.
But do you see it just like any other religion, or do you see it as somehow directly opposed to Christianity (as you seem to imply might be the case with your OP).
Also the issue of public decency. We know Satan represents evil, and so it's morally dubious to depict children looking up to a satanic figure as if it's a god. Yes, I know satanists don't see their god as evil, but that doesn't change what Satan repesents throughout the world.
People shouldn't have to see such a disturbing image in public. It would be just fine in a museum.
27 Jul 15
Originally posted by twhiteheadI'm open to further understanding of course. However I can not imagine any combination of words that they people could put together that would make me believe that Satanism was aligned with Christianity.
Have you considered the possibility that it is you that doesn't understand what their religion is about?
27 Jul 15
Originally posted by vivifyI agree with you in context and principle, but in a secular world that could be difficult to enforce.
Also the issue of public decency. We know Satan represents evil, and so it's morally dubious to depict children looking up to a satanic figure as if it's a god. Yes, I know satanists don't see their god as evil, but that doesn't change what Satan repesents throughout the world.
People shouldn't have to see such a disturbing image in public. It would be just fine in a museum.