Satanic Temple opens abortion clinic in Virginia for its 'destruction ritual'



After helping kill over 100 unborn babies in New Mexico at an average cost of $91 per head, the Satanic Temple has expanded its abortion enterprise to Virginia.

The anti-Christian group, based in Massachusetts, announced on Saturday that it is now offering expectant mothers in the Old Dominion telehealth abortion services and possible travel assistance, noting that patients need only cover the cost of the abortifacient from its California-based partner pharmacy.

While co-founder Lucien Greaves and other proponents of the radical group deny actually worshipping demonic forces — indicating that theirs is effectively an atheistic leftist organization wearing the skin of a satanic cult that just happens to erect statues of Baphomet around Christmastime — the Virginia death dispensary, like the Temple's "Samuel Alito's Mom's Satanic Abortion Clinic" in New Mexico, blurs the lines between role-play and the real thing.

'The ritual, which includes the abortion itself, spans the entirety of the pregnancy termination procedure.'

For women seeking to snuff out the life growing inside them, the Satanic Temple offers an "abortion ritual," which it describes as a "destructive ritual that serves as a protective rite."

The stated purpose of this death ritual is to "cast off notions of guilt, shame and mental discomfort" associated with the extermination of innocent life and to altogether affirm the choice.

"TST's abortion ritual can be performed to address definable concerns or to overcome unproductive feelings," says the ritual guideline. "The ritual, which includes the abortion itself, spans the entirety of the pregnancy termination procedure. There are steps to be performed before, during, and after the medical or surgical abortion."

The radical group makes repeated mention of individual rights and "scientific reasoning" on its site, suggesting that in the case of individual rights, "one's body is inviolable, subject to one's own will alone," and in the case of scientific reasoning that "beliefs should conform to one's best scientific understanding of the world."

However, such statements amount to little more than a rhetorical smokescreen. After all, the Satanic Temple appears keen to overlook the rights of the unborn as well as the scientific reasoning concerning fetal pain, fetal cognitive function, and the separate genetic identity of the unborn child.

'The Satanic Temple's ultimate goal is to undermine Christ's kingdom.'

Erin Helian, the executive director of the Satanic Temple, told the Christian Post that the Virginia death dispensary — which deals in the kind of dangerous chemical abortion pills that effectively killed Amber Thurman in 2022 — was made possible in part by the funding of donors.

The Satanic Temple has been chasing after donations of $66.60 for its burgeoning abortion enterprise.

"As abortion rights continue to be a central issue in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, we remain steadfast in our mission to expand access and protect bodily autonomy," the radical group noted in a release. "We will not stop until we have made a lasting difference."

Helping American women abort their children is not the Satanic Temple's only preoccupation, although it has certainly made a habit of challenging pro-life legislation.

The radical group has also distributed satanic literature to children; publicly performed "unbaptisms"; held a demonization ceremony in protest of the canonization of the Catholic Spanish priest Junípero Serra; promoted euthanasia and pornography; and erected demon statues on government property.

Blaze News' Kevin Ryan recently noted that despite its members' denial, the Satanic Temple's "devotion to Satan — a mythological character, they say — is unmistakable."

"If they were truly godless, they wouldn't fixate so obsessively on Christianity. The Satanic Temple's ultimate goal is to undermine Christ's kingdom," wrote Ryan.

"The Satanic Temple and other movements that promote abortion rights in the name of autonomy are in fact beholden to an anti-freedom," added Ryan. "Christians know that Satan cannot create life — he only destroys. He may offer seductive ideas cloaked in equality or liberty, but his goal is always to eradicate the value of human life, which stands at the core of God's creation."

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Satanists worship Satan for real, whether they believe it or not



Why does the media support satanic abortions?

The Economist is the latest outlet to celebrate Satanism and its nomination of abortion as a sacred rite. Like so many others, the article profiles the Satanic Temple's founder with a tone of reverence. The Washington Post indulges in similar coverage, exploring everything from its "revolutionary roots" to a live-blogged abortion, as though this were just another milestone in progressive politics.

Perhaps the most absurd claim from the Temple is that adherents don't 'really' believe in Satan. But how does an avowed satanist engage in satanic rituals without acknowledging Satan?

PolitiFact, part of Poynter's "fact-checking" empire, once again joins in with a fluff piece disguised as objective reporting. Over and over, media outlets portray the Satanic Temple as a champion of religious freedom and abortion rights.

Its telehealth service offers medication and "abortion care," which the press portrays as some bold exercise of liberty. Meanwhile, more honest sources see it for what it is: open antagonism toward Christian values, dressed up as mischievous rebellion.

The Economist claims the Satanic Temple is battling "Christian encroachment" in public life, while the Atlantic frames the movement as a "satanic rebellion," comparing it to Satan’s original fall from grace.

This is the language of warfare.

The Guardian applauds the Temple's "fight against the religious right.” Vice literally frames the issue as “Satanists v. Republicans.” In doing so, the outlets establish the actual dichotomy at play: In their fight against Republicans and Christianity, Democrats ally with Satan.

Devil in a blue dress

LGBTQ+ rights and the Satanic Temple go hand in hand, with the anti-religion placing Black Lives Matter and “social justice” at the forefront of its activism.

Adherents are pro-vaccine in the name of "science," one of their sacred idols. They protest Christian monuments like the Ten Commandments, often leaving satanic sculptures in their place, as if to mock traditional values.

They’ve even used loopholes to infiltrate public schools, supposedly to expose the overlap of church and state. But what exactly does that mean in the context of their anti-religious ideology?

The Satanic Temple’s stated mission includes a tenet about adhering to "scientific understanding."

It sounds reasonable, until you see its “scientific” understanding at work. Adherents are too selective in their data, too fantastical in their logic, too elusive in their methods, too uneven in their irony, too bitter in their discourse. Under these conditions, politics is merely a tool of the deceiver.

Ironic worship?

Perhaps the most absurd claim from the Temple is that adherents don't “really” believe in Satan. The Atlantic smugly informs readers of this point. But how does an avowed satanist engage in satanic rituals without acknowledging Satan?

They claim to be atheists or “non-theistic,” but their devotion to Satan — a mythological character, they say — is unmistakable. They hold religious services and rituals, and they pray, or a version of prayer. They also enjoy “satanic picnics, and the occasional orgy.”

If they were truly godless, they wouldn’t fixate so obsessively on Christianity. The Satanic Temple’s ultimate goal is to undermine Christ’s kingdom.

Adherents' true aim is secularism — a complete dismantling of Christianity, with abortion as their sacrament. They twist the literary and biblical Satan into a rebellious hero, ignoring the fact that this figure has always represented rebellion against God, the very source of life.

Because the Satanic Temple's assault is more than just political theater: It’s yet another reminder that Satan’s domain thrives on lies and deception. Followers of Satan have no problem with falsehoods. You won’t find any mention of “truth” in their screeds about “scientific understanding.”

As Paul writes in Ephesians, Christians must “put away falsehood" and speak truthfully. While Satan sows division and death, Christians must stand firm in the belief that truth, rooted in God, will ultimately set us free.

Exceptions for radicals

Satanism serves as a leftist parody of religion, thriving on mockery and inversion. Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" is their playbook. Alinsky dedicated his work to Satan, the "original rebel."

Rule 5: “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.”

This schtick is distinctly, well, satanic. Make it seem like “trolling,” a kind of political mockery. NPR even declared: “When they write the bible on the great trolls of history, the Satanic Temple should be on the cover.”

The media typically admire that satanists take ridicule to unprecedented heights, even gaining tax-exempt status and providing an official app available in Apple and Google app stores.

Or how the Satanic Temple is headquartered in Salem, Massachusetts, site of the Salem witch trials. The building includes an eight-foot statue of Baphomet, an early representation of Satan — the horned, goat-hoofed, angel-winged idol worshiped by pagans.

Ha ha ha … good one.

Ritual sacrifice

Their ridicule lacks all dignity and humor. Satanists twist everything upside down.

Their rituals mock Christianity; their philosophy contradicts the sacred. They hate not just Christians but Christ Himself. In place of faith, they celebrate pornography, euthanasia, and debauchery.

Their liturgical life is a parody of Catholicism. They “unbaptize,” they pray in reverse, they perform black masses. It’s all a perverse reflection of Christian worship, ending not with communion but with the sacrifice of the unborn, a deliberate inversion of birth.

It’s a strategy similar to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who mocked the Christian faith with impunity and were celebrated by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Satanism’s only true “creed” is opposition. Its rituals are empty negations of Christian practices, its activism a hollow rejection of God’s law.

Defend us in battle

The Satanic Temple and other movements that promote abortion rights in the name of autonomy are in fact beholden to an anti-freedom.

Christians know that Satan cannot create life — he only destroys. He may offer seductive ideas cloaked in equality or liberty, but his goal is always to eradicate the value of human life, which stands at the core of God’s creation.

Scripture tells us that Satan "was a murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44), and his mission has never changed. His followers don’t realize that their master is a horrible accomplice; just ask Judas. Paul’s warning in 2 Corinthians is especially relevant here: Satan has “blinded the minds of the unbelievers,” keeping them from seeing the light of Christ.

But despite the satanists' chaos and noise, the Christian message is simple but profound: Love and life, rooted in God’s truth, will always triumph over the forces of chaos and death. Satan offers nothing but division and death. Christ offers redemption and love.

Judge upholds hate crime charges against Navy veteran who toppled satanic statue — but a jury will have the final word



A Christian Navy veteran toppled a satanic statue at the Iowa Capitol just before Christmas. A Democratic prosecutor subsequently slapped him with hate crime charges. This week, a judge ensured that the charges would stick.

While the Satanic Temple and the Democratic prosecutor might like to see Michael Cassidy ultimately locked up, his fate will be determined by a jury — a jury likely to contain at least a handful of sympathetic, God-fearing Americans.

"We believe that the jury will have the opportunity to consider all of the facts in this case, including Mr. Cassidy's military service and motivation," Davis Younts, Cassidy's lawyer, told Blaze News. "He was compelled by his faith to act to protect others."

'Enemy of humanity'

The Satanic Temple is an anti-Christian leftist organization that has performed public "unbaptisms"; advocated for mothers to kill their unborn babies by way of its "religious abortion ritual"; agitated to prevent chaplaincy in Florida schools; disseminated satanic literature to kids; held a demonization ceremony in protest of the canonization of the Catholic Spanish priest Junípero Serra; and pushed the LGBT agenda.

In recent years, the ST has also erected multiple demonic statutes across the country on public property. Ahead of Christmas 2023, the Satanic Temple raised one such statue — a ram-headed Baphomet statue holding a red pentacle — along with a satanic altar on the first floor of the Iowa Capitol.

We have reached the point where our Capitols are removing Jefferson while monuments to Satan are erected.\n\nRealize where we are.
— (@)

There was plenty of impotent rage in the face of the seemingly intentional Christmastime affront to both Christians and Muslims. After all, Blaze News previously reported that Baphomet possibly originated as a slight against the Muslim faith.

UCLA professor Zrinka Stahuljak indicated "Baphomet" was originally a French corruption of the name Mohamed. British historian Peter Partner suggested further that the Knights Templar, who reclaimed territory previously occupied by Islamic forces, were accused by inquisitors of worshiping Baphomet as part of what was likely a 14th-century smear.

Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) called the demonic altar "objectionable" but encouraged critics to engage in prayer at the state Capitol.

State Rep. Jon Dunwell (R), a Christian pastor, outlined why this was the optimal response, noting that the Satanic Temple successfully "petitioned for their display in August and were approved with some modification."

Lucien Greaves, co-founder of the ST, noted, "I would hope that even people who disagree with the symbolism behind our values, whether they know what those values [are] or not, would at least appreciate that it's certainly a greater evil to allow the government to pick and choose between forms of religious expression."

Younts, Cassidy's lawyer, told Blaze News, "The reality is that the Satanic Temple of Iowa chose a symbol of hatred, lies, death, and destruction in an effort to mock religious displays during the Christmas season. It would have been reasonable and appropriate for the State of Iowa to deny their application, the same way we would hope an application to display obscene material or a statue honoring Adolf Hitler would be denied."

"The idol was displayed as either a sincere attempt to worship Satan, the enemy of humanity, and promote lies, death, and destruction, or it was placed in an intentional effort to show hatred for and mock the Christian faith and traditional American values," added Younts.

Baphomet takes a tumble

After liking a post by Blaze News columnist Auron MacIntyre, which said, "Periodic reminder that the religious right were correct about everything," Cassidy, of Lauderdale, Mississippi, entered the Iowa Capitol on Dec. 14, 2023, and decapitated the Baphomet statue.

"I saw this blasphemous statue and was outraged. My conscience is held captive to the word of God, not to bureaucratic decree. And so I acted," Cassidy, a former F/A-18 Hornet pilot who served on the USS George Washington, said in an interview with the Sentinel.

"The world may tell Christians to submissively accept the legitimization of Satan, but none of the founders would have considered government sanction of satanic altars inside Capitol buildings as protected by the First Amendment," Cassidy continued. "Anti-Christian values have steadily been mainstreamed more and more in recent decades, and Christians have largely acted like the proverbial frog in the boiling pot of water."

Cassidy was originally charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief. However, Polk County Democratic Attorney Kimberly Graham's office enhanced the charge to third-degree criminal mischief on the basis of Cassidy's statements both to law enforcement and the public indicating he destroyed the property due to its anti-Christian nature — or what prosecutors referred to as "the victim's religion."

The Sentinel suggested that Graham, a failed U.S. Senate candidate, might have a bias against conservatives, highlighting the $300,000 of in-kind campaign support she reportedly received from the George Soros-funded Justice and Public Safety PAC.

Cassidy's legal team, which similarly suspects the charging decision was the result of anti-conservative bias, recently attempted to axe the hate crime charges. However, on Tuesday, an Iowa judge denied the motion.

Younts told Blaze News, "The judge ruled against our motion to dismiss even though the DA's office could not produce a single example in Iowa or across the United States where a similar statute had been used to justify charging a hate crime where the 'victim' was an organization rather than an individual."

Jury selection is expected to begin Monday. Cassidy reportedly faces as many as five years in prison.

"Our message is simple — America was founded by men and women whose primary source for the Constitution and our system of government was the Bible and traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs," said Younts. "Because of the religious beliefs and influences of our founders, America has experienced a profound history of religious freedom and prosperity. Our society will continue to collapse into chaos and tyranny if we abandon those beliefs and biblical principles that made our nation possible."


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'Not a religion': DeSantis outrages the Satanic Temple with pledge about new school chaplain program



The Satanic Temple is outraged that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) doesn't want satanists to counsel students in the Sunshine State.

Last week, DeSantis signed a new law allowing school districts and charter schools to invite chaplains into schools "to provide support, services, and programs to students." More than a dozen states now offer similar school programs, which have become necessary amid an epidemic of students facing mental health challenges.

But at a press conference on Thursday, DeSantis said satanists need not apply.

"Now some have said if you do a school chaplain program that somehow you're going to have satanists running around in all our schools. We're not playing those games in Florida. That is not a religion," he said. "That is not qualifying to be able to participate in this. We're going to be using common sense when it comes to this, so you don't have to worry about that."

— (@)

Despite claiming not to worship satan, the Satanic Temple — which is recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt church — took offense to DeSantis' pledge.

Lucien Greaves, co-founder of TST, said:

Despite DeSantis's contempt for religious liberty, the Constitution guarantees our equal treatment under the law, and DeSantis is not at liberty to amend the Constitution by fiat, at whim. He just invited Satanic chaplains into public schools, whether he likes it or not.

Greaves, moreover, accused DeSantis of "engaging in empty grandstanding with a complete disregard for the intelligence of the people of Florida." Greaves is challenging DeSantis to a public debate on the issue.

But will satanists serve as 'chaplains' in schools?

Probably not.

First, the program is completely voluntary, both for school districts and parents. Satanic "chaplains" are not going to waltz into schools and start offering their "counseling."

Second, the law requires "parental consent before a student participates in or receives supports, services, and programs provided by a volunteer school chaplain."

Part of the consent process includes parents selecting a volunteer school chaplain from a list that each school district provides parents. That list must include the chaplain's religious affiliation. How many parents would actually select a satanic chaplain to help their student? The answer is likely zero.

Still, the law does not prohibit satanic chaplains or chaplains of any religious affiliation from volunteering for the program. Chaplains simply need to meet background screening requirements before being allowed to volunteer their services.

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Firebomb was launched at the ​Satanic Temple in Salem. Cofounder says it was a 'horrific act of attempted terrorism.'



The Satanic Temple in Salem was reportedly struck by a firebomb in what one of the center's founders called a "horrific act of attempted terrorism." The same temple has also been targeted in the past.

The New York Post reported that an explosive device was launched at the three-story building around 4:15 a.m. Consequently, the Salem police are investigating the incident with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.

The authorities posted details of the incident to Facebook, saying: "No one was present in the building at the time and the device and damage it caused were not discovered until staff arrived at approximately 4:00 PM." The police have appealed to the community to bring forth relevant information about the attack.

The Satanic Temple's cofounder Lucien Greaves said that "it can't be overstated that this was definitely a horrific act of attempted terrorism and people could be hurt."

Following the attack, the building was searched for additional explosive devices by K-9s, according to CBS News.

"It is concerning, it is very concerning that now devices are being thrown because now it seems like it's escalating because for whatever reason people are actually taking it more serious," Cliff Alleyne said, who lives near the building.

"Every few months, bomb threats called, authorities come," Alleyne said. "And it just creates a lot of chaos for the residents because it's a busy street."

"I'm just annoyed that next door can't be left alone, they're nice people," Shawn Flynn said, another neighbor.

The most recent incident is not the first time the temple has been targeted. Earlier this year, a man from Michigan was arrested after being suspected of planning to bomb the temple.

In June 2022, the Post reported that a resident from Chelsea, Massachusetts, was charged after starting a fire at the temple, which burned the porch. No one was injured in the incident.

“People just have different religious perspectives and people should do what they can to live with that diversity,” Greaves said. “And they don’t have to resort to ridiculous actions like this.”

The temple was established in 2013. While those who attend the temple do not claim to believe in Satan, they describe themselves as a "non-theistic religious organization" that holds secularist views.

It is unclear if the authorities have arrested a suspect in the case.

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Christian Navy veteran charged with hate crime for beheading demon statue at Iowa Capitol



Hundreds of statues of historical and religious significance have been toppled throughout the United States in recent years. Rather than stop the iconoclasts responsible, government officials have in many cases rewarded them — at least when they were not themselves directly responsible.

However, it became clear this week that the powers that be still hold some things sacred: abortion clinics and satanic idols.

Within hours of a federal court finding six more pro-life activists guilty of peacefully demonstrating inside an infamous late-term abortion clinic, Christian Navy veteran Michael Cassidy was charged with a hate crime Tuesday for toppling a satanic statute last year at the Iowa Capitol.

The Polk County Attorney's Office indicated that Cassidy's admission that he "destroyed the property because of the victim's religion" prompted the decision to increase Cassidy's previous misdemeanor charge to a class D felony.

What's the background?

The Satanic Temple is an anti-Christian leftist group that has distributed satanic literature to kids; championed the LGBT agenda; worked ardently to ensure that mothers can have their unborn babies legally killed by way of their "religious abortion ritual"; performed public "unbaptisms"; erected multiple statues of demons on public property; and held a demonization ceremony in protest of the canonization of the Catholic Spanish priest Junípero Serra.

Blaze News previously reported that weeks ahead of Christmas, the Satanic Temple installed a demonic altar on the first floor of the Iowa Capitol along with caped figure of what appeared to be a ram-headed Baphomet holding a red pentacle.

Baphomet has long been associated with devil worship and the occult; however, it appears to have originated as a slight against the Muslim faith.

UCLA professor Zrinka Stahuljak indicated "Baphomet" was originally a French corruption of the name Mohamed. British historian Peter Partner suggested further that the Knights Templar, who successfully reclaimed territory previously occupied by Islamic forces, were accused by inquisitors of worshiping Baphomet as part of what appears to have been a 14th-century smear.

Lucien Greaves, the co-founder of the Satanic Temple, claimed the demon statue was not intended to be insulting despite its anti-Islamic significance and the installation's exhibition of the anti-Christian group's "seven fundamental tenets," including "the freedom to offend."

— (@)

Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) faced significant pressure to have the statue taken down. While Reynolds acknowledged the demonic altar was "objectionable," she invited critics to join her in prayer at the state Capitol rather than in destruction.

State Rep. Jon Dunwell (R), a Christian pastor, outlined why this was the optimal response, noting that the Satanic Temple successfully "petitioned for their display in August and were approved with some modification."

Dunwell said the display "glorifies the evil influence we oppose" but was nevertheless lawful.

Satanic Temple co-founder Greaves stated, "I would hope that even people who disagree with the symbolism behind our values, whether they know what those values [are] or not, would at least appreciate that it's certainly a greater evil to allow the government to pick and choose between forms of religious expression."

Beheading Baphomet

Although a prayerful man, Michael Cassidy of Lauderdale, Mississippi, apparently figured it wouldn't hurt to also smash the demonic display.

After liking a post by Blaze News columnist Auron MacIntyre, which stated, "Periodic reminder that the religious right were correct about everything," Cassidy marched into the Iowa Capitol on Dec. 14, 2023, and decapitated the Baphomet statue.

Adding insult to symbolic injury, he tossed the ram head into a garbage can.

"I saw this blasphemous statue and was outraged. My conscience is held captive to the word of God, not to bureaucratic decree. And so I acted," Cassidy said in an interview with the Sentinel.

— (@)

Cassidy, a former F/A-18 Hornet pilot who served on the USS George Washington, turned himself in to police following the beheading without incident. He was subsequently charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, a misdemeanor.

"The world may tell Christians to submissively accept the legitimization of Satan, but none of the founders would have considered government sanction of Satanic altars inside Capitol buildings as protected by the First Amendment," Cassidy told the Sentinel. "Anti-Christian values have steadily been mainstreamed more and more in recent decades, and Christians have largely acted like the proverbial frog in the boiling pot of water."

The Satanic Temple Iowa said in a statement, "This morning, we were informed by authorities that the Baphomet statue in our holiday display was destroyed beyond repair. ... [J]ustice is being pursued the correct way, through legal means. Solve et Coagula! Happy Holidays! Hail Satan!"

No good deed goes unpunished

The Polk County Attorney's Office announced Tuesday that on the basis of Cassidy's statements both to law enforcement and the public indicating he destroyed the property due to its anti-Christian nature — or what prosecutors referred to as "the victim's religion" — they had enhanced his original charge to "third-degree criminal mischief in violation of individual rights, a class D felony, according to Iowa Code Section 729A.2."

The attorney's office indicated that the cost to replace or repair the demonic installation was between $750 and $1,500.

The Des Moines Register indicated the radical group alternatively estimated the cost of replacing the statue was $3,000.

The attorney's office also underscored that prosecutors seek "fair and just resolutions of all cases, as we continue to apply the law equally to all, regardless of religion, race, sexual orientation, or economic status."

Casidy faces arraignment on Feb. 15. He has raised over $85,700 for his legal defense so far.

The Register noted that the Navy veteran's attorney, Sara Pasquale, declined Tuesday to comment on the new charge.

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The Iowa Demon Decapitation Is More About Righteous Anger Than Religious Liberty

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-15-at-1.40.41 PM-1200x675.png crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-15-at-1.40.41%5Cu202fPM-1200x675.png%22%7D" expand=1]Michael Cassidy made waves by actually doing what thousands and thousands of Americans have felt like doing for a very long time.

'Satan has no place in our society': DeSantis says he'll donate to legal defense of man who toppled Baphomet statue



Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that he will donate to the legal defense fund for the man who toppled a Baphomet statue placed in the Iowa Capitol by the Satanic Temple Iowa.

"Satan has no place in our society and should not be recognized as a 'religion' by the federal government. I'll chip in to contribute to this veteran's legal defense fund," DeSantis wrote. "Good prevails over evil -- that's the American spirit."

The governor, who is currently vying for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, has previously indicated that he is Roman Catholic.

— (@)

Michael Cassidy, who "pushed over and decapitated the statue," and then placed its head in a garbage can, according to a report by the Republic Sentinel, thanked DeSantis for the support.

"My deepest hope is that Americans of all political persuasions can unite and agree that: 1. Jesus Christ is Lord 2. Satan is evil," the Christian conservative and former Navy F/A-18 Hornet pilot tweeted.

On X, Cassidy describes himself as a "Christian, Test Pilot, Navy Reserve Instructor Pilot, America First Conservative" and "former Congressional Candidate MS-03." Last year, he lost the Republican primary runoff for the U.S. House seat in Mississippi's 3rd Congressional District. Then just last month, he lost a general election for a seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives.

The Sentinel, which reported that Cassidy turned himself in to authorities and has been charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, launched a GiveSendGo fundraiser to support Cassidy's legal defense. The fundraiser was paused per Cassidy's direction because the initial $20,000 goal was swiftly reached, but it has since been reopened. So far, more than $43,000 has been raised.

"I've been notified of more potential legal charges unfortunately, so I've opened the legal fund donation back up. All donations in excess of what is directly related to my defense shall be donated to a Christian legal fund. Thank you again," Cassidy tweeted.

"Lots of people are asking me how they can help. Truly this is how you can help," Cassidy tweeted, telling Christians to "joyfully spread the Gospel and strengthen your faith in Jesus" and non-Christians to "Talk to your Christian friends or local church and learn about Jesus."

— (@)

The Satanic Temple Iowa said in a Facebook post, "We were informed by authorities that the Baphomet statue in our holiday display was destroyed beyond repair. We are proud to continue our holiday display for the next few days that we have been allotted."

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Ron DeSantis Offers To Cover Legal Fees For Veteran Who Decapitated Satan Statue

Real or political virtue signaling?

Devout Christian destroys satanic idol at Iowa Capitol. Appreciative donors fund his legal defense inside 3 hours.



A Christian Navy veteran toppled a satanic statue at the Iowa Capitol after finding others were keen only to virtually signal their displeasure.

Unlike many of the leftists who toppled hundreds of historic statues across the nation amidst the BLM riots, former Mississippi congressional candidate Michael Cassidy immediately assumed responsibility for his actions and turned himself into the authorities. He now faces likely legal action from the Satanic Temple.

Conservatives appreciative of the effort have, however, made sure that Cassidy has what he needs for the legal battles ahead, topping off his legal defense fund inside three hours.

What's the background?

The Satanic Temple is an atheistic leftist organization that has sought to ensure that women can legally have their unborn children killed by way of their "religious abortion ritual"; held a demonization ceremony in protest of the canonization of the Catholic Spanish priest Junípero Serra; distributed satanic literature to children; publicly performed "unbaptisms"; and erected statues of Baphomet on public property in multiple states.

Blaze News previously indicated that the temple, formerly included on Fox News' internal list of charities eligible for donation matches, also runs an online clinic out of New Mexico that distributes abortion drugs, which the group has dubbed "Samuel Alito's Mom's Satanic Abortion Clinic."

Last week, the Satanic Temple of Iowa installed an altar on the first floor of the Iowa Capitol along with a caped figure of what appears to be ram-headed Baphomet holding a red pentacle. USA Today indicated that the installation included a display of the anti-Christian organization's "seven fundamental tenets," including "the freedom to offend."

While ostensibly intended to antagonize Christians ahead of Christmas, Lucien Greaves, co-founder of the Satanic Temple, claimed that the statue was not intended to be insulting.

— (@)

The initial response

Various lawmakers called on Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) to remove the installation.

State Rep. Brad Sherman (R), a pastor, noted in a newsletter that the preamble of the state constitution expressly states there is "One Supreme God"; that blessings over the state come from that "Supreme Being"; that "we must depend upon the One Supreme God if we want to enjoy continued blessings."

"It is a tortured and twisted interpretation of law that affords Satan, who is universally understood to be the enemy of God, religious expression equal to God in an institution of government that depends upon God for continued blessings," wrote Sherman.

"If we claim to believe in the One Supreme Being, the God of all creation, we cannot claim an exemption from obedience to Him in things relating to civil government."

State Rep. Jon Dunwell (R), also a pastor, alternatively explained why the statue was permissible in a post on X: "Currently, access for displays at the Capitol are open to anyone through an application process. Though there are some guidelines, they do not discriminate on the basis of religion or ideology. Displays are permitted to be displayed for two weeks."

Dunwell added, "The Satanic Temple petitioned for their display in August and were approved with some modification. They wanted to use an actual goat head (I'm assuming a skull) and we're [sic] prohibited from doing so."

Dunwell acknowledged that the display "glorifies the evil influence we oppose" but defended it on legal grounds, suggesting the "primary response required is prayer."

Gov. Reynolds called the display "objectionable" and encouraged "all those of faith to join [her] today in praying over the Capitol."

Satanic Temple co-founder Greaves stated, "I would hope that even people who disagree with the symbolism behind our values, whether they know what those values [are] or not, would at least appreciate that it's certainly a greater evil to allow the government to pick and choose between forms of religious expression."

Baphomet beheaded

Within hours of liking a post by Blaze News columnist Auron MacIntyre, which stated, "Periodic reminder that the religious right were correct about everything," Cassidy headed to the state Capitol and decapitated the Baphomet statue. The former Navy officer then took the ram head and chucked it into a garbage can.

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Cassidy, a former F/A-18 Hornet pilot who did a tour on the USS George Washington, told the Sentinel his intention was to "awaken Christians to the anti-Christian acts promoted by our government."

"The world may tell Christians to submissively accept the legitimization of Satan, but none of the founders would have considered government sanction of Satanic altars inside Capitol buildings as protected by the First Amendment," said Cassidy. "Anti-Christian values have steadily been mainstreamed more and more in recent decades, and Christians have largely acted like the proverbial frog in the boiling pot of water."

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After dismantling the controversial statue, the veteran turned himself in to police without incident. He was ultimately charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief.

The Satanic Temple Iowa said in a Thursday statement, "This morning, we were informed by authorities that the Baphomet statue in our holiday display was destroyed beyond repair. ... [J]ustice is being pursued the correct way, through legal means. Solve et Coagula! Happy Holidays! Hail Satan!"

Greaves called Cassidy a "coward" and claimed the statue toppling was a "Hate Crime."

As Cassidy was charged and faces likely legal action from the leftist group, the Sentinel started a GiveSendGo campaign to raise $20,000 for the veteran's legal defense. The money was raised in less than three hours.

Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk indicated that his organization had pledged $10,000 to the fund, stating, "We stand with Satan Slayer, @VoteCassidy." Daily Wire commentator Matt Walsh was among the others who also chipped in, donating $1,000.

Cassidy later quoted scripture online, tweeting, "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."

Satanic Temple Sets Up Display in Iowa State Houseyoutu.be

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