Luigi and Angie Bellaviste belong to the Church of Satan. They even have a Satanic Bible in their home. The couple is upset because a poster they had hanging from their front porch was recently cut down. It wasn’t very popular with some neighbours. “Everybody that sees that sign says, ‘What is going on with those people?,’” said neighbour Mary Morasco.
The couple’s home and yard are decorated with items like a Christmas tree that has been painted black, skulls and the number 666. They believe the cutting down of the poster was an attack on their religious beliefs. “I feel like we’re being treated unfairly because it’s not a so-called mainstream religion,” said Luigi. “I know of many people who have the Virgin Mary and tons of Jesus memorabilia ‘I Love Jesus’ and what is the difference?” said Angie.
The couple wants the police to consider the incident a hate crime because their religion is protected by the U.S. Constitution. “Had that been the Star of David or a verse from the Koran,” said Luigi, “or something like that got damaged by somebody against those beliefs that would certainly be considered a hate crime.” An officer with the Mountain View Police Department said the report will likely be filed as theft because there was no obvious attack on the couple’s church or religious beliefs.
With news video.
4 comments:
Oh come on! They probably would have been treated worse if they were Muslim or Jewish. I guess those satanists need to grow a thicker skin.
Tolerance (the Modern Definition): "I'll treat you fairly -- as long you believe the same things I believe. And you don't offend me. And it's not Tuesday."
Is satanism a recognised religion? If it isn't then surely this can't be religious intolerance.
I'm an antheist and humanist and I am puzzled by satanists. AFAIR satan is an invention of the old testament, yes? That being the case being a satanist means you don't actually have your own religion. You are instead arguing against somebody else's religion by actually believing in their teachings, albeit in a somewhat contrary way. Hardly a sound position for debate or indeed a belief system.
I'm a Satanist. When I bought my home, I thought it would be amusing to hang a Baphomet Flag from the flag post, so I did. After about 3 days, I came home to find it missing. Someone stole my flag. Either they loved it or hated it, I'll never know for sure.
I don't think it's 'religious' intolerance, or a hate crime for that matter. Maybe someone just really liked my flag, and took it for themselves?
Sounds to me like these people have a persecution complex. Theft of a banner is a hate crime? Give me a break.
I have some skull fencing that frames a flower garden, my neighbors who are from the Philippines think it's creepy and weird to have it out. This stems from their own cultural superstitions about death and embracing death iconography. In other words, its their problem not mine.
I share the neighbors sentiment: What is with those people?
Haha
SINful
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