Satanic display featuring demonic ram in a red cloak is set up in the Iowa Statehouse as 'an expression of religious freedom'

The Satanic Temple has set up a display of a sparkling demonic ram's head in the Iowa Statehouse as an expression of 'religious freedom'. 

Alongside more traditional menorahs and Christmas trees, the group have erected an altar topped with candles, a large banner and a ram figure with a skull covered in mirrors, a red cloak and wreath. 

The Temple reportedly went through all of the correct administrative channels for the display, and only had their original request to use a real goat's skull denied.

Founder of the Satanic Temple, Lucien Greaves, told KCCI: 'We're going to really relish the opportunity to be represented in a public forum. We don't have a church on every street corner.' 

The display will be up for fourteen days and is protected under the First Amendment - but not everyone is pleased with it. 

Iowa resident Shellie Flockhart is extremely concerned and organized a group prayer near the display on Wednesday. 

She told KCCI: 'I hope that people realize spiritual warfare is real. That there are evil Satanic forces that are trying to infiltrate our state.'

She said Christians must spiritually fight against it and added: 'It's a very dark, evil force, and I truly hope people know how to battle that.'

But Greaves wasn't concerned by the push back, and said it is a symbol of their right to religious freedom.

He said: 'My feeling is, that if people don't like our displays in public forums they don't have to engage with them, they don't have to view them.'

The First Amendment protects all religious groups and the practice of all faiths, reading: 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.' 

The Satanic Temple was designated a tax-exempt religion by the IRS in 2019 giving it the same legal protections that other religions have.

This includes: 'Access to public spaces as other religious organizations; affirming its standing in court when battling religious discrimination; and enabling The Satanic Temple to apply for faith-based government grants.'

Iowa House Representative, Jon Dunwell, said on X that while he as a pastor and Christian finds the display 'objectionable' and 'evil', as a State representative he is 'guided by the First Amendment of the US Constitution.'

He said: '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.

'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 prohibited from doing so.' 

He reminded people that 'the display is an inanimate object that has no real power in and of itself. We have nothing to fear.'

But added: 'I don’t want the Capitol to be overwhelmed by displays. In the future, we may need to find ways to appropriately limit the number of displays.' 

The Satanic Temple describes itself as 'the primary religious Satanic organization in the world with congregations internationally, and a number of high-profile public campaigns designed to preserve and advance secularism and individual liberties.'

It claims to have over 700,000 members.

It is based on seven 'fundamental tenets' including: 'One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason.'

And: 'The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo one's own.

And: 'One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone.'   

Members say they don't actually believe in a literal Satan or hell, but that they are instead a metaphor for questioning authority. 

Iowa state has put a clear sign next to the new display reading: 'This display is not owned, maintained, promoted, supported by or associated with the State of Iowa.'

Earlier this year, members of the Satanic Temple congregated for SatanCon at Boston's Marriott Copley Place.

Over 800 people attended the event. One speaker ripped up a Bible, while others held 'unbaptisms'. 

Opposing Christian groups turned up in protest and staged a series of demonstrations across the city to combat the three-day event with 'intense prayer'. 

The group made headlines again when they started 'After School Satan Clubs'. 

The clubs sparked controversy earlier this year, with meetings held for pupils at schools in Virginia and California.