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Satanic Temple Monument in Okla. May Include ‘Interactive Display’ for Kids
By Nicki Rossoll
Dec 10, 2013 6:00am
With ABC News’ Anneta Konstantinides
A monument to the Ten Commandments that sits outside the Oklahoma statehouse may soon have some unholy company.
Satan worshipers are seeking to build their own monument at the state Capitol, and Lucien Greaves, a spokesman for the Satanic Temple, said he’s “optimistic†it will be approved.
“I really don’t see a grounds which they can reject this,†he told ABC News.
The privately funded Ten Commandments monument was approved by the conservative-led Oklahoma state legislature in 2009, and erected on Capitol grounds in 2012. It has riled up opponents ever since, many calling into question the constitutionality of the monument.
But Greaves does not see a problem with the Christian monument, as long as it does not stand alone.
“I feel that the statue is only problematic when it stands alone,†Greaves said. “It would change the dynamic with our monument there. We aren’t objecting to the Ten Commandments monument, we’re objecting to the monument standing alone.â€
When asked what the Satanic monument would look like, Greaves said he doesn’t want to “reveal too much about the possible design options,†but hinted that his “favorite design, at the moment, is an interactive display for children.â€
The American Civil Liberties Union has been less accepting of the existing monument, and has filed a lawsuit seeking its removal.
“The monument’s placement at the Capitol has created a more divisive and hostile state for many Oklahomans,†Ryan Kiesel, executive director of ACLU Oklahoma, said in a statement. “When the government literally puts one faith on a pedestal, it sends a strong message to Oklahomans of other faiths that they are less than equal.â€
But Greaves said he believes a monument from the Satanic Temple would re-assert that “we all have a voice†in this “religiously pluralistic nation.â€
By Nicki Rossoll
Dec 10, 2013 6:00am
With ABC News’ Anneta Konstantinides
A monument to the Ten Commandments that sits outside the Oklahoma statehouse may soon have some unholy company.
Satan worshipers are seeking to build their own monument at the state Capitol, and Lucien Greaves, a spokesman for the Satanic Temple, said he’s “optimistic†it will be approved.
“I really don’t see a grounds which they can reject this,†he told ABC News.
The privately funded Ten Commandments monument was approved by the conservative-led Oklahoma state legislature in 2009, and erected on Capitol grounds in 2012. It has riled up opponents ever since, many calling into question the constitutionality of the monument.
But Greaves does not see a problem with the Christian monument, as long as it does not stand alone.
“I feel that the statue is only problematic when it stands alone,†Greaves said. “It would change the dynamic with our monument there. We aren’t objecting to the Ten Commandments monument, we’re objecting to the monument standing alone.â€
When asked what the Satanic monument would look like, Greaves said he doesn’t want to “reveal too much about the possible design options,†but hinted that his “favorite design, at the moment, is an interactive display for children.â€
The American Civil Liberties Union has been less accepting of the existing monument, and has filed a lawsuit seeking its removal.
“The monument’s placement at the Capitol has created a more divisive and hostile state for many Oklahomans,†Ryan Kiesel, executive director of ACLU Oklahoma, said in a statement. “When the government literally puts one faith on a pedestal, it sends a strong message to Oklahomans of other faiths that they are less than equal.â€
But Greaves said he believes a monument from the Satanic Temple would re-assert that “we all have a voice†in this “religiously pluralistic nation.â€
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