Christian veteran Michael Cassidy, who beheaded a satanic altar within the Iowa capital over the vacations, has been charged with a hate crime.
The altar to Baphomet was put in by the Satanic Temple, with approval from the Iowa Legislature. It featured a goat’s head on a red-caped model holding a crimson pentagram wreath.
The show brought about large controversy, with some arguing that the approval of the shrine was essential to non secular freedom and others arguing that it was a deliberate transfer to torment Christians — particularly because it was positioned close to a Nativity scene.
On December 14, Cassidy ripped the top off and threw it in a garbage can.
Cassidy was charged with fourth-degree felony mischief, a misdemeanor, the following day.
Chatting with The Sentinel shortly after the beheading, Cassidy mentioned he had beheaded the statue with a view to “awaken Christians to the anti-Christian acts promoted by our authorities.”
“The world might inform Christians to submissively settle for the legitimization of Devil, however not one of the founders would have thought-about authorities sanction of Satanic altars inside Capitol buildings as protected by the First Modification,” Cassidy mentioned. “Anti-Christian values have steadily been mainstreamed an increasing number of in latest many years, and Christians have largely acted just like the proverbial frog within the boiling pot of water.”
BREAKING: @RepubSentinel can reveal that Michael Cassidy, a Christian and former army officer, tore down and beheaded the Devil altar within the Iowa Capitol:https://t.co/rIYIdZOzee pic.twitter.com/tZDsmKM5Pm
— The Sentinel (@RepubSentinel) December 14, 2023
“I noticed this blasphemous statue and was outraged,” Cassidy continued. “My conscience is held captive to the phrase of God, to not bureaucratic decree. And so I acted.”
Cassidy turned himself in to the police after destroying the shrine. The Sentinel reported that the Satanic Temple of Iowa confirmed they intend to press fees.
Polk County prosecutors have added a way more extreme cost now, in accordance with a charging doc made public Tuesday obtained by the Des Moines Register.
The Register studies that Cassidy is now charged with felony third-degree felony mischief dedicated “in violation of particular person rights” below Iowa’s hate crime statute.
“Proof reveals the defendant made statements to legislation enforcement and the general public indicating he destroyed the property due to the sufferer’s faith,” Lynn Hicks, a spokesman for the Polk County Legal professional’s Workplace, advised the paper.
We now have raised the preliminary $20,000 wanted for @VoteCassidy and his authorized protection in lower than three hours. Thanks to your generosity! We’ll reopen the marketing campaign if extra funds are mandatory. https://t.co/FKeNhUXkTQ
— The Sentinel (@RepubSentinel) December 15, 2023
The report added, “Court docket data present Cassidy is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 15. He has raised greater than $84,000 for his authorized protection from practically 2,000 supporters, in accordance with fundraising website GiveSendGo.”
