Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Sen. Schimpf wants Satanic sculpture removed from rotunda as Rep. Bryant introduces condemnation resolution

Posted in:

Illinois

* From Sen. Paul Schimpf’s (R-Waterloo) Facebook page…

I’ve had a lot of questions about the satanic sculpture at the Capitol. Here’s a letter I delivered to the Secretary of State’s office today asking for the display to be removed:

Dear Secretary White,

I am writing to express my disappointment in your approval of a Satanic statue in the Illinois Capitol Rotunda.

As an attorney who evaluated the legality of religious displays in the United States Marine Corps, I appreciate the complexities associated with balancing the First Amendment with the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution. In this situation, I believe you received poor legal advice recommending approval of the Satanic display.

The Satanic display should not have been approved. It does not celebrate or recognize the observance of a religious holiday. Instead, the display seeks to provoke and antagonize members of the Christian and Jewish faiths. As such, you would have been well within your discretion to deny that display request.

I respectfully request that you reconsider your decision and order the removal of the Satanic statue.

Sincerely,
Paul Schimpf
Senator, 58th Legislative District

* From a sign near the display…

The State of Illinois is required by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution to allow temporary, public displays in the state capitol so long as these displays are not paid for by taxpayer dollars. Because the first floor of the Capitol Rotunda is a public place, state officials cannot legally censor the content of speech or displays. The United States Supreme Court has held that public officials may legally impose reasonable time, place and manner restrictions regarding displays and speeches, but no regulation can be based on the content of the speech.

* From earlier this month…

Dave Druker, spokesman for the secretary of state, said the Chicago-based Satanic group had the right, just like religious organizations, to put up its display in the rotunda.

“Under the Constitution, the First Amendment, people have a right to express their feelings, their thoughts,” Druker said. “This recognizes that.”

* Patch followed up on Sen. Schimpf’s letter…

[Lux Armiger, chairperson of the Satanic Temple’s Chicago chapter] says celebrating holidays is not at all a requirement for displays in the rotunda. “No such specification exists,” Armiger told Patch. “These displays are permitted by the Constitution, not because they are recognizing a holiday, but because the space is a public forum.”

This is “something someone with a law degree like Sen. Schimpf should understand. If he does not, Southern Illinois University School of Law should consider rescinding his degree,” Armiger added.

Permitting one group, and not another, to use the forum would be “government-imposed viewpoint discrimination,” he said.

Lucien Greaves, co-founder and national spokesperson for the Satanic Temple, had a simple response to Schimpf’s letter: “No. In fact you aren’t within your rights to deny a religious organization access to a forum for religious expression based simply on your assumptions regarding their intentions.”

* Meanwhile…

State Rep. Terri Bryant has introduced a resolution in the Illinois House condemning the decision by the Illinois Secretary of State to allow The Satanic Temple-Chicago to place a statue in the Statehouse rotunda along with displays that celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah.

Bryant, a Republican from Murphysboro, said in a news release that hundreds of constituents have called her office to complain about the statue, which is called “Knowledge is the Greatest Gift” and depicts the forearm of a young woman holding an apple.

Bryant said in the release her resolution would send a message that the House “as a body, reject and condemn the decision to allow this disgusting display at our Capitol.”

* From her resolution…

WHEREAS, The Satanic display is nothing more than a publicity stunt meant to cause outrage and division

So, I dunno, maybe ignore it instead of expressing outrage?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:21 am

Comments

Shorter Schimpf: Unacceptable that any religion other than my own be promoted in a public space in the people’s legislative building. What a joke.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:24 am
I for one love the new political environment where every little thing has to devolve into a culture war

Comment by Totally normal Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:25 am
–WHEREAS, The Satanic display is nothing more than a publicity stunt meant to cause outrage and division–

Nice of Rep. Bryant, then, to help them achieve their goals.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:25 am
WHEREAS, Knowledge is a pretty decent gift;

Comment by Dome Gnome Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:25 am
Careful Rep. Bryant. If we outlaw publicity stunts at the Capitol, what would the HGOP legislative agenda be?

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:27 am
OK, so, can we put up a display that says “STL CARDINALS RULE” or something? Just flood the place with sports displays? Because if anyone can express anything in this public forum, like the “Satanists” say, that should be cool.

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:29 am
=== WHEREAS, The Satanic display is nothing more than a publicity stunt meant to cause outrage and division ===

Amendment 1: WHEREAS, GOP rants are nothing more than publicity stunts meant to cause outrage and division undermining our democracy.

There I fixed it for you.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:34 am
Publish the names an addresses of all the Satanic Brotherhood members so we can know if any live in our neighborhoods. Sen Schimpf,we appreciate your courage for being brave enough to stand up to this outrage. Rep Bryant,
we appreciate your resolution, which when voted on will put the General Assembly on record. I cannot not wait to see that roll call.

Comment by the old man Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:34 am
Get rid of 1, get rid of all displays. Can’t pick and choose because 1 religion offends.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:35 am
What I find weird is how the Senator and Representative seem to be fine with that billboard from the Freedom from religion foundation that is also in the rotunda that says things like “there are no gods” or “religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”

If the good Senator was really concerned about a display that does not celebrate a religious holiday or provoking and antagonize members of other religions you think he would also ask for that to be taken down as well.

But maybe that means *gasp* he’s just pandering to the zealots in his district since satanic statue sounds a lot worse to them and he can get more publicity out of it.

Comment by LincolnLawyer Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:36 am
===== OK, so, can we put up a display that says “STL CARDINALS RULE” or something? Just flood the place with sports displays? Because if anyone can express anything in this public forum, like the “Satanists” say, that should be cool.=====

I was going to object to this post with a reasoned response and a little bit of outrage in the lack of understanding the issue. Then, I remembered that I’ve known many St. Louis Cardinal fans, and for them, it is a religion.

Carry on.

Comment by Try-4-Truth Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:36 am
Michelle in fine form today.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:36 am
Lincoln must be so incredibly proud of the cretins that have usurped his party.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:37 am
Here’s an interesting take:

https://tinyurl.com/yaqfzjx3

Comment by Anonymous one Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:38 am
=== OK, so, can we put up a display that says “STL CARDINALS RULE” or something? Just flood the place with sports displays? Because if anyone can express anything in this public forum, like the “Satanists” say, that should be cool. ===

Probably not. I’m not a first amendment lawyer (or even a lawyer) but I’m guessing the issue is that the state capitol has set aside space for religious holiday expression (e.g. Christmas and Hanukah), which paves the way for the Satanic Temple folks to be granted space. The capitol currently does not provide a space for Cubs or Bears or Bulls fans to commemorate their team, therefore they are not under an obligation to provide space for a Cardinal’s commemoration.

Comment by Just Observing Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:39 am
They have a Festivus Pole too don’t they?

Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:41 am
And to think Schimpf wanted to be our Attorney General. We dodged a bullet with that one.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:42 am
@Huh, that’s one solution, though if you do that the atheists/Satanists get what they want. By banning all religions/displays of religion you are effectively pretending it doesn’t exist, i.e. atheism.

That’s probably still the best way to handle it, certainly the simplest, but don’t pretend you’re not still picking winners and losers.

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:42 am
This cracks me up. Reactions like this is what gets people interested in the first place. If these guys hate it, it must be cool, right?

Comment by Duke of Normandy Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:43 am
I know! How about not having ANY religious displays in governmentt buildings! Possibly too radical an idea.

Comment by James Anderson Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:44 am
Senator Schimpf gets a blog post and a link to his Facebook page … would he have gotten that if he had thoughtfully reminded his constituents about the importance of the first amendment and went about his day? What’s the lesson for elected officials here…

Comment by SATAN Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:46 am
Guys, my sports comment was refuting the Satanists justification that their display doesn’t have to be about a holiday:
“not because they are recognizing a holiday, but because the space is a public forum”
taking that literally, why shouldn’t any kind of display be allowed?

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:46 am
I think the Satanic display is the most wholesome and benign thing under the dome, considering all the mischief that goes on in that building…

Comment by IllinoisBoi Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:46 am
“Knowledge is power”

Yes, I can see how he would think this is antagonistic against Catholics.

By thew way, has he by chance spoken out on the latest attorney general finding that the Catholic Church has withheld a large amount of names from the public of clergy responsible for abusing children?

Just kidding. I know he hasn’t said a word about it.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:47 am
Orwell nails it: “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:48 am
“…provoke and antagonize members of ___________.” This is mighty strong language from Schimpf. There are many more faiths and belief systems in the world than just the two he cites. I’m sure there are people in this world that are “provoked and antagonized” over other displays in the rotunda as well, but there are far more who realize that: “The first step toward tolerance is respect and the first step toward respect is knowledge.” ― Henry Louis Gates

No one is being damaged by this display or any of the others in the rotunda, except, perhaps, to their own sensibilities.

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:51 am
Those putting a brighter and brighter spotlight on things like this give the power to those seeking attention.

Like a Commander Galloway gaffe…

You object to it once so you’re on the record, but if you keep going after it like they are, people are gonna think you’re afraid of this.

This sculpture doesn’t take anything away from your own beliefs or the briefs of others… not Statanic.

These are mere blips, and that group is enjoying the attention.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:54 am
“They have a Festivus Pole too don’t they?” Not this year, but they have had one in the past.

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:54 am
Rep. Bryant, after repeatedly not voting in favor of crucial funding for human service providers: “Ah yes, this is the most important thing I can possibly be doing with my time.”

Comment by Stark Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:55 am
====the display seeks to provoke and antagonize members of the Christian and Jewish faiths====

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think the Jews care. I’ve never even heard a rabbi mention satan.

Comment by NewInTown Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:55 am
Senator snowflake

Comment by Numada Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:56 am
Looks like everything is fine. The Satanists got to make their (admittedly obnoxious) point, the GOP gets to bloviate a little, and no one is materially affected.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:56 am
If only this were the biggest issue we face in this state. It’s not. Ignore it.

Comment by SSL Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:57 am
A scene from the Garden of Eden shouldn’t antagonize either of those religious groups. The evolutionists should be in an uproar though.

If that display had come from a church of creationists, I doubt if we would have heard a peep out of anyone.

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:57 am
It’s so tasteful and understated. I don’t get these reps throwing outrage around over something so tasteful — they’re going to get themselves a naked life-size Baphomet next year.

I know they’re doing it to troll conservative Christians, but honestly I think it’s a very nice artistic expression of their beliefs and how those beliefs are in conversation with Christianity. (In short, that most religions’ purpose is to keep people in ignorance, and what Christians call “Satan” is in fact human knowledge and intellect. Which is really beautifully illustrated by a statue referencing the Fall and the fruit of the tree of knowledge.) I feel like this statue’s inclusion turns the whole display into an actually interesting religious/philosophical artistic exhibit showcasing multiple faiths in conversation, instead of typical holiday pablum. You could build an exhibit at the Art Institute of modern religious art starting from this, showing how these artistic representations of various faiths are holding a theological conversation with each other through their art. I’m a devout Catholic, and I think it’s great. I think it helps clarify the narrative of the Nativity and encourages people to think about the theological content of Christmas, rather than just treating it as an empty children’s story. And it’s kind-of great that that artistic conversation is occurring in the statehouse — we don’t get a lot of public theological or moral *discussions* in the US. (We get a lot of one-way sermons, not many discussions.)

Anyway I’m sort-of glad these reps drew my attention to it again, because I honestly really like it and I’m glad the CoS put up such an interesting statue to converse with the Nativity and Menorah.

Comment by Suburban Mom Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:00 am
===Instead, the display seeks to provoke and antagonize members of the Christian and Jewish faiths.===

Well then let me tell you, as a Christian, they failed. Though as an American, you have certainly antagonized me in your stance that essentially denounces the Constitution and the rights of all humans.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:02 am
Much ado about nothing. Satanists aren’t religious. They’re just using this little statue to show the hypocrisy of many on the political right.

Comment by Glengarry Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:04 am
It really isn’t a like in the eye to Jewish tradition since it is in fact artistically representing the Jewish interpretation. The original sin idea is Christian not Jewish.

Comment by Not a Billionaire Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:08 am
DuPage Saint, yes, they do. To the post: I don’t have an issue with their display. It’s not disproportionate to the other displays, it isn’t designed to be shocking or offensive… I guess I don’t get the genuine “I’m outraged” reaction angle here.

Comment by Fixer Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:09 am
“By banning all religions/displays of religion you are effectively pretending it doesn’t exist, i.e. atheism.”

Atheists deny the existence of gods; they’ve never denied the existence of religions.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:17 am
The constituents of those elected officials will love the outrage. I’m surprised it took this long.

Comment by Exit 59 Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:18 am
@Suburban Mom, tasteful? The display itself might be, but the group doesn’t believe in Satan, they are atheists that call themselves Satanists for the explicit and sole purpose of making people mad. Calling such obvious provocateurs tasteful is … interesting.
And I’d bet you $100 dollars that Schimpf is more outraged by the name of the group than by the display itself.

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:18 am
I would say it is probably smart for the two Southern Illinois GOP legislators to come out against Satan during Christmas. Mock them here all you want. Very few residents of Schimpfs Senate district read this blog and even fewer read the comments. Come back to this blog another time in another post and you’ll find the same commenters saying hey all politics is local. This is a fun place for Libs to kick Republicans in the gut. But there are 10 million or so Illinoisans and 40 comments here with a likely max out of 100

Comment by hot chocolate Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:19 am
I really don’t care. I do agree that each has their own opinion, and have a right to express it. It is not ugly, pornographic, or in terrible taste. Chill folks; “this to shall pass”

Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:20 am
Perrid - I am an atheist. I don’t care about anybody’s religion provided they don’t attempt to proselytize me.

If someone wants to put up a holiday display that represents their religious views, it doesn’t hurt me. I can ignore the displays or look at them as I see fit.

Where was Schimpf and Bryant weeks ago when the display was installed? If this resolution passes and the piece is removed, are they going to pay for the lawsuit that will be filed?

Like I said, remove 1, remove all, including the Christmas tree.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:21 am
@Not a billionaire-
That stood out to me too. As a (pretty secular) Jew it always kind of annoys me when Christians go on about “Judeo-Christian” values and theology when they actually just mean Christian values and theology. Satan has a pretty minor role in Judaism, and is sometimes depicted as being an agent rather than enemy of god anyway.

Comment by Actual Red Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:21 am
I don’t pretend to speak for all the jews, but as one I say let the Satanist have their stupid statue. this is a non issue and is an embarrassing attack on the first amendment. When you cry wolf over things like this no one is going to care when you cry wolf over issues that actually matter.

Comment by Iggy Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:26 am
And btw, Sen Schimpf, I highly doubt you rendered a legal opinion in the USMC on a religious display. I highly doubt it. You have a whole Navy Chaplain Corp devoted to serving the religious needs of the Navy and Marine Corp. We had whole classes on what can and cannot be done with religious displays, public prayer, ceremonies, etc. It’s all been thought out, tested and documented so that sailors and marines can focus on what they have to do instead of being religiously offended. I’m not calling you out for lying but I am saying that I highly doubt you. Had you done so you’d more likely have had a story about being called into the CO office with a very very grumpy Chaplain standing at his/her side. You would have gotten quarterdecked on that.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:28 am
All this does is give the Satanists lots of publicity and increase the interest in their display in the Capitol. Would be interesting to find out if the number of visitors to the Capitol during the Christmas season is up this year. Typically, it is pretty quiet around there when the GA is recessed and fewer committees meet.

Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:29 am
__If this resolution passes and the piece is removed,__

Is the Senate in session before the end of the month? This will all be mooted before the resolution could get voted on.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:34 am
The hard part of supporting the 1st amendment is that you also have to support it for people who you disagree with. If you demand that this display be removed it weakens the 1st amendment rights of everyone. When government is allowed to pick and choose what religion it supports and what religion it bans, then you have ripped apart the amendment and weakened the constitution. No one says you have to like it but if you truly support religious freedom you accept it and deal with it.

Comment by SOIL M Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:37 am
Actual I am a secular New as well. You are so right on Satan. There is nothing about a predicted Devine incarnation either. There are no Jewish records of a Jesus movement hanging out in synagogue either.

Comment by Not a Billionaire Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:40 am
it’s a display promoting knowledge so of course a sitting senator is against it.

Comment by StateIT Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:43 am
Republicans are supposed to share the sentiment of “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it. Evelyn Beatrice Hall”

In fact I thought our whole experiment in government was part of this ideology.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 10:58 am
As an atheist, long as we’re not wasting state money on these things I don’t care what you put there.

Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:02 am
As I’ve said before, it’s all or nothing. You can’t pick and choose. I wonder if the good Senator and Representative would support a resolution asking that the other displays be removed? I already know the answer to that question.

All the people having the vapors over the display really need to get over themselves.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:03 am
Paul. A bit early to be gearing up for your reelection bid, isnt it?

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:05 am
Maybe Schimpf should have put up his own offensive display, like a statue of Trump. Or an electronic sign showing how large the unfunded pension liability is.

Comment by Angry Republican Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:10 am
Snowflakes. The fact that content of the speech offends you does not give you the right to shut it down.

Comment by That One Guy Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:15 am
Does this make Schimpf a ‘progressive’?

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:15 am
Blue Dog—- it does show that he is not a constitutionalist, and possibly a hypocrite.

Comment by SOIL M Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:20 am
===State Rep. Terri Bryant has introduced a resolution in the Illinois House…===

Well isn’t that special?

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:21 am
Anything to goose that 4.2%

Comment by A 400lb. Guy on a bed Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:35 am
=As an attorney who evaluated the legality of religious displays in the United States Marine Corps,=

Oh boy, neato. Tell us more about “You”.

=Publish the names an addresses of all the Satanic Brotherhood members so we can know if any live in our neighborhoods. Sen Schimpf,we appreciate your courage for being brave enough to stand up to this outrage. Rep Bryant,
we appreciate your resolution, which when voted on will put the General Assembly on record. =

I bet you are a real pip at the Tea Party meetings and bible study.

I am sure Jesus would be pleased with your tolerance.

And, who is this “we” you speak of? Is that the royal we?

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:43 am
“Knowledge is power”
The antithesis of the GOP “Fear and ignorance are strength”.

Comment by Only blocked once today Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:43 am
The display (of the Satanists) doesn’t hurt me or my family. Have at it. I’ve better things at which to allow myself to be angry. I also happen to appreciate the 1st Amendment.

Comment by Yiddishcowboy Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:49 am
As an attorney who evaluated the legality of religious displays in the United States Marine Corps, I appreciate the complexities associated with balancing the First Amendment with the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution.

The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause clause not only forbids the government from establishing an official religion, but also prohibits government actions that unduly favor one religion over another.

The Pentagon recognized The Church of Satan as a legitimate religion no later than its 1978 publication of Department of the Army Pamphlet 165-13 “Religious Requirements and Practices of Certain Selected Groups: A Handbook for Chaplains”

It seems that Paul Schimpf misremembers both his time in the military and his time in law school.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 11:57 am
There shouldn’t be any religious symbols on any govt property. Period.

This is conservatives fault. They fought for years to put in stupid displays. Now they, like the rest of us, have to live with the consequences.

IMO, the satanic display is the best one, and makes me most proud to be a citizen.

Comment by 33rd Ward Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 12:01 pm
And Bryant has too much time on her hands apparently.
Someone needs to remind her that freedom of religion doesn’t just apply to the religion she likes.

Comment by btowntruthfromforgottonia Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 12:06 pm
This is the kind of nonsense you get when you are left off a transition team.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 12:12 pm
=Like I said remove it and all Christmas decorations =

Says the Grinch.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 12:33 pm
The Old Man - “Get off my lawn.”

Comment by striketoo Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 12:40 pm
I did not know that “hundreds of constituents ” from southern Illinois visited the capital that often, much less that display has went up
like how the number of possible constituents got mutpliedlol

Comment by 13th Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 12:45 pm
MrJM is on fire to day. Just golden my man.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 12:49 pm
May Sen. Schimpf and Rep. Bryant receive the gift of knowledge, or a temporary injunction.

Comment by Bigtwich Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 12:55 pm
–As a (pretty secular) Jew it always kind of annoys me when Christians go on about “Judeo-Christian” values and theology when they actually just mean Christian values and theology.–

Well, you know what the evangelicals think happens to the Jews in the final act, right?

The “Judeo-Christian values” phrase emerged in Western politics after Jews (mostly) got out of the barrel of persecution and organized prejudice.

I guess it refers to the shared prophets of the Old Testament. By that logic, it should be “Judeo-Christian-Muslim” values, as the children of Abraham share many of the same prophets and stories. Jesus is a major prophet in Islam, not a figure in Judaism (except Jews for Jesus, which is another story altogether).

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 1:00 pm
Really good move by both the Senator and the Rep politically. Folks in this region are genuinely outraged and they are tapping in to that ground swell- happens all the time with gun issues in the city and suburbs. Recall all of the pressers every time there is a shooting…First Amendment this time instead of the Second.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 1:01 pm
===WHEREAS, The Satanic display is nothing more than a publicity stunt meant to cause outrage and division

Irony dies a cruel death.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 1:39 pm
So here are the options that were available to good Member:

1) Cause a stink and get some attention, but accomplish nothing.
2) Push to have it removed causing the state to lose a lawsuit and have to pay attorney fees for both sides accomplishing the wasting of public dollars.
3) Ignore the Satanic Temple which would then go on to find an easy mark for trolling somewhere else.

Good job on your choice, Schimpf.

I’m on the Satanic Temple e-mail list–less annoying than the Scientologists. I have no idea how I got on either of those and pretty consistently the Satanic Temple doesn’t talk about Satan, but about their efforts to troll the not so smart and enforce separation of church and state.

Again, congrats to Schimpf for his outstanding…whatever it is he thinks he’s doing.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 1:44 pm
—-It’s so tasteful and understated. I don’t get these reps throwing outrage around over something so tasteful — they’re going to get themselves a naked life-size Baphomet next year.

While many of us went with snark as is our wont (and MrJM did great with the law) this is one of the better takes I’ve read in a while.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 1:47 pm
The only thing offensive, outrageous, and divisive here is Schimpf.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 2:13 pm
I put in a interview request last week to the Senator and have him on my radio show this week. His office said he was traveling and too busy. Hmm seems like he doesn’t want to answer for his statements. I shall now reach out to Rep. Bryant.

Comment by DocNoyes Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 3:14 pm
“This is a fun place for Libs to kick Republicans in the gut.”

To be fair, it’s not the only place. If you look around the rest of the state you’ll find a lot of us are coming down with turf toe.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 4:07 pm
Unless Senator Schimpf is Jewish, don’t go making statements about how Jewish people feel about anything.

Comment by filmmaker prof Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 5:26 pm
Thanks film.

Comment by Not a Billionaire Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 6:26 pm
These people want to go to hell, they must really enjoy Illinois

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 6:42 pm
==I guess it refers to the shared prophets of the Old Testament. By that logic, it should be “Judeo-Christian-Muslim” values, as the children of Abraham share many of the same prophets and stories.==

Which is why in my Western Civ classes I teach the Abrahamic tradition of Judaism-Christianity-Islam.

Comment by G'Kar Thursday, Dec 13, 18 @ 9:36 pm