By Matt Underwood Arizona GOP lawmakers are at it again, always finding new ways to waste time and taxpayers’ money with blatantly unconstitutional bills. The latest one on their agenda? Senate Bill 1279, also known as the Reject Escalating Satanism by Preserving Essential Core Traditions Act, or RESPECT. This bill aims to prohibit satanic displays on public property in Arizona, because apparently, the GOP is the arbiter of what is acceptable on public land.
Now, let me start by saying that I have no personal affiliation with the satanic community or any religious group for that matter. But what bothers me is the sheer audacity and hypocrisy of these lawmakers. They claim to be champions of religious freedom, but only when it aligns with their own beliefs. They conveniently forget that the First Amendment of the Constitution grants us all the right to free exercise of religion, not just the majority.
The catalyst for this bill seems to be the placement of a statue of the goat-headed deity Baphomet in the Iowa State Capitol by a local chapter of The Satanic Temple. Now, I understand that this might have ruffled some feathers, but let’s not forget that the installation was allowed under a law that permits religious displays during the holidays. So why try to single out satanic displays now?
The Arizona chapter of The Satanic Temple rightly called out the bill’s sponsors on social media, reminding them that minority religions are also entitled to free exercise. The Satanic Temple itself doesn’t actually worship the devil or even believe in a literal Satan. They are a “non-theistic religious organization” that uses satanic imagery to highlight encroachments on religious freedom. It’s satirical genius, really.
But let’s get back to the bill at hand. Senate Bill 1279 is sponsored by 13 Republican senators, including Sen. Wendy Rogers and Sen. Sonny Borrelli. It’s scheduled to go before the Senate Government Committee, and I can only hope that it gets shot down immediately. Because not only is this bill a violation of the First Amendment, it opens up a Pandora’s box of legal challenges.
If the GOP is so insistent on banning satanic displays, then they must also be prepared to ban displays from all other religions. By singling out satanic displays, they are clearly discriminating against certain religious beliefs, which goes against the very principles this country was founded on. It’s an all-or-nothing situation, and I doubt they’ll be able to defend their stance in court.
But maybe that’s what they want. Maybe this is just another grandstanding gesture to appease their base and pander to the Christian right. After all, the GOP seems to be more interested in playing culture wars than actually governing and providing meaningful solutions. They have no policy, no solutions, just fear and division.
And let’s not forget the irony here. The party that claims to champion small government and fiscal responsibility is constantly wasting time and money on bills they know will be struck down as unconstitutional. It’s as if they exist solely to keep the legal profession well-fed and profitable. Maybe it’s time to hold these lawmakers accountable and make them personally responsible for the financial burden they create with their unconstitutional antics.
If you’re someone who values freedom of religion and opposes the GOP’s attempts to impose their beliefs on everyone else, consider supporting The Satanic Temple. You don’t have to agree with their beliefs, but you can support their fight for religious freedom by making a donation or purchasing something from their website.
In the end, this bill is nothing more than a pointless culture war. It’s a distraction from the real issues that need attention, like healthcare, education, and economic inequality. The GOP should focus on governing instead of wasting time on meaningless legislation that violates the very principles this country was built upon. It’s time for Arizona voters to reevaluate the lawmakers they have chosen to represent them. The state has gotten real weird in the last few years, and it’s time to put an end to this nonsensical agenda.
In conclusion, the Arizona GOP lawmakers’ bill to prohibit satanic displays on public property is a blatant violation of the First Amendment and a waste of time and taxpayers’ money. It’s another example of their hypocrisy and their disregard for the principles of religious freedom. Let’s hope that this bill gets the swift rejection it deserves and that lawmakers start focusing on the real issues facing our state and country.