FSTDT Forums
Community => Politics and Government => Topic started by: R. U. Sirius on January 17, 2013, 08:10:42 am
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Florida Governor Rick Scott, who suffers dismal approval ratings, has at least garnered favor with one unlikely group -- Satanists.
On January 25, the members of the Satanic Temple will gather on the steps of Scott's office in Tallahassee as a show of solidarity with the Governor, whom they believe "has shown unwavering fortitude and progressive resolve in his defense of religious liberty," according to a press release.
Specifically, they're referring to Scott's recent approval of Senate Bill 98 that permits school districts to allow students to read inspirational messages of their choosing at assemblies and sporting events. It went into effect on July 12.
"The Satanic Temple embraces the free expression of religion, and Satanists are happy to show their support of Rick Scott who -- particularly with SB 98 -- has reaffirmed our American freedom to practice our faith openly, allowing our Satanic children the freedom to pray in school," the release continues.
The bill dictates that school officials are not permitted to mediate, approve, or participate in these "inspirational messages," which expand upon the two minutes of silence for quiet prayer or mediation previously observed in Florida public schools.
Although the word "prayer" was axed from early drafts of the bill, the legislation was largely seen as a way to sneak religion back into schools.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/14/satanists-rally-for-rick-scott_n_2471328.html (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/14/satanists-rally-for-rick-scott_n_2471328.html)
I'm laughing my ass off about this, particularly the last sentence in the section I quote. It's always nice to see stereotypes shattered and fundies hoisted by their own petards.
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I think they are going to cancel SB 98 as quickly as possible.
I also think that while wording the permit they didn't even realise that there are religions other than christianity. They usually put them in the cult/blasphemy/heresy category and don't think they count.
And wasn't there a similar case where Wiccans began to take advantage of a law like this?
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Haha!
Seriously, I liked that bill. I think that's doing it right. It doesn't have to be where everything is cut out to be fair. If everyone (all spiritual beliefs) is invited, that is just as good I think.
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I like this bill. After all, nothing stops a student from reading a nonreligious inspirational message.
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Or making some up come test day.
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Luv those adoreable, deliciously devious Satanists. Magnificent mockers, they are!
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(http://motores.com.py/foro/index.php?attachments/maximum-trolling-jpg.280985/)
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While I enjoy the trolling the Satanists are embarking on, they are failing to realize one small aspect.
If / when the bill passes and is actually used, the fact that most schools have 80% plus christian student demographics means that this will almost exclusively be used to bring religion back into school. While there are schools where some Muslim or Satanist can get up provide an inspirational speech, I am reasonably certain that most schools have probably around 100% christian populations and would almost exclusively be used to bring in bible readings and religion into those schools.
I dislike things like this. Government should not be legislating schools like this.
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This bill was created by christian fundies to support their religion* so the best way to make them back away is to let them see how the bill would actually work. And having satanists/wiccans/muslims/etc. making speeches in 100% christian schools is a good way to do that. And the way this was written they would not have any way to stop them.
*Remember when I said that they thought only christianity counts as a religion? When I went to read the comments of this article I did see that exact argument coming up all the time. (SATAN IS THE OPPOSITE OF GOD SO SATANISM IS THE OPPOSITE OF RELIGION! WHARGARGARBL!)
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And an update in the original link says that the whole thing is part of a mockumentary. Ah, well. Hopefully it will still have the desired effect.
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And an update in the original link says that the whole thing is part of a mockumentary. Ah, well. Hopefully it will still have the desired effect.
;D That just adds spice to the awesomesauce. The fundies will have no clue - the mocku-camera crew will be hidden in the open within a sea of news cams and civvie cams, anyway.