Yesterday, the Arizona State Senate failed to pass SB1279, also known as the Reject Escalating Satanism by Preserving Essential Core Traditions (RESPECT) Act, which sought to prohibit “satanic memorials, statues, altars or displays or any other method of representing or honoring Satan from being erected on public property in the state of Arizona.” Although the Arizona Senate has recognized the unconstitutional and detrimental nature of the bill for both The Satanic Temple members and members of other religious groups, our fight against this type of legislative persecution is far from over. Just last week, in a move echoing recent legislative trends, the Mississippi House introduced its own RESPECT Act (HB1282), a bill that mirrors the language of the defeated Arizona bill.
We stand at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, where the principles of freedom and individual liberty are under relentless assault by theocrats who seek to impose their own narrow beliefs on all. All who value the Constitution must confront the question that challenges the very essence of our democracy: Is freedom truly a universal right for all Americans, or will we stand by as elected officials choose which Americans enjoy those rights and which Americans are deprived of them?
For those who wish to join us in our efforts to challenge theocracy, donating to The Satanic Temple is a powerful way to help. Your contributions are vital to sustaining our legal battles. To learn more, please visit thesatanictemple.com.
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