The Assistant Democrat Leader in the Arizona State Senate this week welcomed members of a local “Satanic Temple”, reported the Grand Canyon Times.
“Members, I would like to introduce a group of Arizonans, some from my district, but they have membership all across the state,” State Sen. Juan Mendez (D-Tempe) said on the Senate floor.
“They are here today to confront the arbitrary, tyrannical authority of religious persecution that’s scheduled for government committee later on today. Today, members, I want to introduce you to members, we are graced with the presence of ministers and members of the Satanic Temple of Arizona. Please stand today, they’re at the Capitol today to fight for the rights of their more than 12,000 members of their denomination and the rights of free speech and free exercise of all Arizonans.”
The satanists were there to lobby against a bill to prohibit satanic displays on public property in the state.
According to The Satanic Temple Arizona’s website…
Satan is the ultimate archetype and thus makes his character a perfect weapon to be able to combat Church and State issues.
The group’s May 2021 newsletter reads…
“The unsuspecting might assume our own sweet Satan to have genitals like everyone else’s, but the testimonies given during the trials assure us that his member is anything but standard. Among other things, it’s… cold? So educate yourself on Satan’s naughty bits with this quick historic overview and be ready for your next Satanic trivia night!”
Despite Mendez’ introduction of the satanists, and their lobbying against the bill to prohibit satanic displays, the bill advanced from the Senate Government Committee on a Republican party-line vote of 5-1.