Satanic ‘Snaketivity’ Displayed At Michigan Capitol; Senator’s Christian Nativity To Counter

A Satanic ‘Snaketivity’ has been approved for display at the Michigan State Capitol building, after a request was filed by the Satanic Temple’s Detroit chapter. Now state representatives are scrambling to find a way to match the Satanic Snaketivity with a Christian display, after new rules, enacted to deter the Satanic Temple, have backfired.

Michigan’s Capitol Commission recently enacted rules allowing religious groups to place a holiday displays on the grounds, but requiring displays to be taken down at close of each day. According to the Friendly Atheist, a representative hinted in a conversation that this was done specifically to deter the Satanic Temple from erecting a display. (The Satanic Temple’s Florida display may have inspired these changes.)

According to the Detroit News, the Satanic Snaketivity was approved and will be erected and removed each day from December 21 through 23. The Christian Nativity, however, ran into problems. It was being sponsored by a person in Florida, and that individual was struggling with those same rules — the daily placement and removal.

Michigan Senator Rick Jones, however, has vowed to save Christmas from Satanic influence. According to MLive, Jones took responsibility for the Nativity scene, saying that if the Satanic Snaketivity was going up, he’d find volunteers to handle the Christian Nativity. On his public Facebook page Wednesday, the Senator said he’d found more than enough volunteers and called for people to ignore the Satanic Snaketivity.

“Update: The unveiling of the Nativity display at the Capitol lawn will be at noon Friday. Bronner’s of Frankenmuth has stepped up to donate the Nativity. I have had about 500 offers of help to put up and take down the display. Thank you! But because of the size restraints on Capitol display it will be small and easy to handle so no help is needed. People are welcome to stop by and say a prayer or sing CHRISTmas carols.”

“The ‘Snaketivity’ display representing the Satanic Temple will go up at a later date. I recommend you simply ignore it. They hope for attention. In other states they have won by getting all displays banned. We will not allow them to win in Michigan. They can have their snake and all the darkness it represents. We will have our Nativity and all the light it represents. I also encouraged a Jewish friend to get a permit for a Happy Hanukkah display.”

“I’m not afraid of their snake. I’m sure Christ would not be afraid of their snake!”

“Merry CHRISTmas to all!”

Lex Blackmore, of the Satanic Temple, suggested the legislature should be more open to representing all citizens, rather than one demographic and alienating others.

“If our Legislature finds it morally incomprehensible to respect the diversity of differences among Michigan citizens, then perhaps they are much better served as members of the clergy rather than representatives of the people.”

Representatives for the Satanic Temple also say the Satanic Snaketivity ‘works better’ alongside displays of other religions, so they’re happy for the Nativity to be displayed as well.

[Image: The Satanic Temple]