The American Civil Liberties Union objects to the monument and is suing to have it removed, but supporters, joined by Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, argue that “[T]he Ten Commandments are an important component of the foundation of the laws and legal system of the United States of America and of the State of Oklahoma.”
Well, some think one religion means any religion gets a shot at capitol display, too. According to an Associated Press story:
A satanic group unveiled designs Monday for a 7-foot-tall statue of Satan it wants to put at the Oklahoma state Capitol, where a Ten Commandments monument was placed in 2012.
The New York-based Satanic Temple formally submitted its application to a panel that oversees the Capitol grounds.
The Satanic Temple said the proposed sculpture (above) “will also have a functional purpose as a chair where people of all ages may sit on the lap of Satan for inspiration and contemplation."
The 7-foot tall figure will cost the church of Satan about $20,000 to construct.
The Oklahoma Capitol Preservation Commission, the 15-member body in charge of the display of art objects in public areas of the building, says that it will not be making decisions about new installations until all lawsuits about the Ten Commandments are over.
Oklahoma legislator Earl Sears called the Satan statue "an insult to the good people of the state" and explained to the AP that he “not see Satanism as a religion, and they have no place at the state Capitol."
The Universal Society of Hinduism has also contacted the commission with the aim of erecting a statue of Hanuman, one of Hinduism’s many gods.
