Man accused of destroying Satanic Temple display at Iowa Capitol is now charged with hate crime

TheJims@lemmy.world to News@lemmy.world – 333 points –
Man accused of destroying Satanic Temple display at Iowa Capitol is now charged with hate crime
apnews.com
18

Michael Cassidy, a former congressional and legislative candidate from Mississippi, was charged the next day with fourth-degree criminal mischief, a misdemeanor. He told the conservative website The Sentinel that “my conscience is held captive to the word of God, not to bureaucratic decree. And so I acted.”

I feel like admitting your behavior is based entirely on your religion not written law should disqualify one from public positions where creating and following so-called "bureaucratic decrees" is kinda the whole point.

I still don't understand how people can say that shit with a straight face as though taking marching orders from Santa Claus. Humanity has a long way to go.

Yet another Bible thumper who has never read the Bible. Today's passage is "render unto Caesar "

Mike Johnson has entered the chat

EDIT Also interesting that their god always tells them about ways to gain power and take advantage of and hurt vulnerable groups, but has no qualms when the orange man on their side goes off the rails.

Imagine being such a snowflake you can't handle seeing a paper mache Satan and you goto prison for it

He'll get a slap on the wrist.

Nope. The additional thoughtcrime charge raises the crime to a felony.

"But quindraco, the first amendment guarantees freedom of thought and this should be a felony on its own merits regardless of the perp's personal opinions!"

You're not wrong, but Iowa doesn't seem to care.

Somebody's in the finding out phase.

It’s because they hide behind “freedom of religion” when what they mean is they want a Christian theocracy.