Federal judge orders Iowa to allow Satanic Temple Capitol event

A federal judge ordered Iowa state officials on Monday to permit a local Satanic Temple group to host a holiday event in the rotunda of the state capitol building. The Guardian, NBC News and other outlets reported that the ruling resolves a legal dispute after state officials denied the group's application for years. The judge determined that the organization is likely to win its free speech claim. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

The court directed Iowa officials to approve the application within seven days, according to the Guardian. The decision allows the Satanic Temple to hold a one-day holiday display inside the rotunda. The ruling follows an extended legal conflict between the religious organization and Republican state officials who currently hold the governorship and major state offices. [1][2][3][4][8]

The Satanic Temple is a non-theistic religious movement created in 2012 with headquarters in Salem, Massachusetts. The group does not view Satan as a supernatural entity or a symbol of evil, but rather uses the literary figure of Satan to represent rebellion against arbitrary authority. [9]

Satanic invocations have previously raised debate in the state. As FTMQ News reported earlier, a former city council member delivered a Satanic prayer during a council meeting in Ottumwa, Iowa, in October. [12]