This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
There long have been Nativity displays, and menorahs, on various public properties, even inside courthouses, at Christmas to recognize the federal holiday.
In some locations now, the Satanic Temple is claiming it has a free speech right to promote Satan in the same locations.
But one lawmaker in Iowa says that's not necessarily so in his state, as the state Constitution specifically recognizes "One Supreme God."
It is the Post Millennial that documents how Brad Sherman, a member of Iowa's legislature, is demanding Gov. Kim Reynolds remove the current Satanic promotion from the state's Capitol.
The display is a caped statue of Baphomet with a black and red "holiday wreath" displaying a pentagram.
It was placed by the Satanic Temple.
"The outrage and disgust for this satanic display is widespread, but few people think there is much that can be legally done about it because of free speech and freedom of religion. However, I disagree," Sherman said.
The Iowa Constitution, the "supreme law of the state of Iowa," establishes the legal foundation for all other laws, he said.
"He cites the preamble of the state's constitution, which reads 'WE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF IOWA, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government, by the name of the State of Iowa...,'" the report explained.
Sherman's interpretation is that Iowa acknowledges "There is One Supreme God" from whom all blessings come.
"It is a tortured and twisted interpretation of the law that affords Satan, who is universally understood to be the enemy of God, religious expression equal to God in an institution of government that depends upon God for continued blessings. Such a legal view not only violates the very foundation of our state Constitution, but it offends the God upon whom we depend and undermines our well-being," Sherman explained.
He charged that Satan's demand "for equality" with God was "his original sin."
"I am calling for our governor to have this blasphemous display removed immediately based on the grounds that it is unconstitutional and offends God upon whom the state of Iowa depends for blessings."
He further seeks legislation that makes clear the intent of the state.
