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Veteran who removed Satan statue urges Americans to embrace Jesus

Posted on by Vaseline

An ex-Navy pilot raised hell when he decapitated a goat head installation at the Iowa State Capitol hosted by the local Satanic Temple.

Michael Cassidy, a “conservative Christian” from Mississippi, said he was “offended” by the Baphomet shrine and responded by taking its head.

Arguing that it is a question between “good and evil,” Cassidy encourages people to brave “such darkness” and instead “embrace Jesus Christ.”

Keep reading to learn more about the Iowa state beheading!

In December 2023, Michael Cassidy – a former Republican candidate for the Mississippi House of Representatives – walked into the Iowa State Capitol and was surprised that the legislature allowed the Satanic Temple to display Baphomet, a creepy statue with a goat’s head.

Baphomet is a winged creature with a goat’s head, who, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, is a “deity” whom the Templars “were accused of worshiping and who was later embraced by various occult and mystical writers.”

The 35-year-old Lauderdale man told Fox News that when he saw the altar, “there was no one there, and that offended me. It struck a chord. It was, you know, a righteous outrage.” Then he tore (the head) off and put it in a garbage bag.

Instead of fleeing the scene, Cassidy – a “Christian conservative” who loves his country – took the head to security and in return was issued a summons.

“I saw this blasphemous image and was outraged,” Cassidy said, according to the Des Moines Register. “My conscience is held captive by the word of God, not by bureaucratic decisions. And so I acted.”

‘All religions have equal rights’

Mortimer Adramelech, a pastor at the Satanic Temple of Iowa, told NBC affiliate WHO of Des Moines that the Baphomet installation was there during the holidays.

“All religions have equal rights in the public forum under the First Amendment to the Constitution. As Americans, we have every right to be here, just like anyone else,” Adramelech told the newspaper.

The Iowa Department of Administrative Services confirmed that the group met the application requirements for the exhibit.

According to a statement from the state’s attorney’s office, Cassidy was initially charged with third-degree criminal mischief, a D felony under Iowa’s hate crime statutes, “for intentionally damaging a statue owned by the Satanic Temple of Iowa.”

The prosecutor’s office wrote: “Evidence shows that the suspect made statements to law enforcement officers and the public indicating that he destroyed the property because of the victim’s religion.”

In May 2024, the misdemeanor charges were dropped and Cassidy was presented with a misdemeanor, which means a fine without jail time.

“Not today, Satan,” he tweets.

‘Religious freedom’

People had a lot to say about Cassidy damaging the goat statue.

A follower of the Facebook site Satanic Temple says Cassidy’s beheading is a “hate crime,” which is equivalent to spray-painting “a swastika on the wall of a synagogue.” The user writes, “This conduct should be prosecuted as a hate crime, and since he crossed state lines with the intent to commit his crime, federal hate crime charges should also be filed.”

A second, suggesting the former congressional candidate is a hypocrite, added: “Funny how those who crow (the) loudest about ‘religious freedom’ are the most against it.”

Others defended the man and praised him for taking a stand.

One Internet user wrote: “I admire this man because he broke it down. It’s time we take a stand against these types of symbols. Bravo sir… May you be acquitted and walk away as a free citizen.

Surprised that the legislature would allow the installation, another said: “I don’t understand why on earth they would display this demonic entity. Every believer in that state should have come together to ban this atrocity and protest peacefully.”

A third added: “If he goes to jail or is fined, we as Christians must unite and help our brother.”

‘Reject Satan’

Speaking to CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network), Cassidy elaborates on the hate he has received from Satanists and the love from fellow Christians: “I have received both positive and negative feedback, which has been quite remarkable. Some anonymous voices have applauded my strong stand against Satanism and recognized the degradation in our society. That in itself was encouraging.”

Cassidy continues, “I’ve also received a significant amount of hate mail from Satanists and their sympathizers. It’s amazing – when I say ‘hate mail’ I mean hate mail from fake Facebook accounts and Twitter trolls.”

Cassidy emphasizes the importance of Jesus, adding, “I want people to reject Satan and embrace Jesus Christ. This should be the central message. It is disheartening to witness the desire to expose children to such darkness.”

What do you think about religious installations in government buildings? Let us know what you think and share this story so we can get the conversation started!

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