A former military officer is being hailed as a hero for tearing down a satanic idol set up in the Iowa State Capitol building and beheading the statue of Baphomet.
The display came under intense fire since the Satanic Temple was given approval by state authorities to participate alongside other holiday displays.
Gov. Kim Reynolds said she found the display “absolutely objectionable” but urged “more speech” as the proper response to “objectionable speech.”
On Thursday, however, Michael Cassidy, a Christian from Mississippi, took matters into his own hands. He “turned himself into police officers present in the Iowa Capitol, who confirmed that the Satanic Temple of Iowa desires to press charges,” according to the Republic Sentinel.
"My conscience is held captive to the word of God, not to bureaucratic decree. And so I acted," Cassidy told the outlet, noting that he hoped to “awaken Christians to the anti-Christian acts promoted by our government.”
“The world may tell Christians to submissively accept the legitimization of Satan, but none of the founders would have considered government sanction of Satanic altars inside Capitol buildings as protected by the First Amendment,” he added.
"The world may tell Christians to submissively accept the legitimization of Satan, but none of the founders would have considered government sanction of Satanic altars inside Capitol buildings as protected by the First Amendment," Cassidy told @RepubSentinel. pic.twitter.com/2GBonqAbIs
— The Sentinel (@RepubSentinel) December 14, 2023
Many conservatives on social media celebrated Cassidy's actions and pledged to donate to his legal defense fund.
Michael Cassidy just beheaded a monument to Satan inside the Iowa State Capitol building. The Satanic Temple of Iowa is pressing charges and Cassidy is facing fourth-degree criminal mischief.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) December 14, 2023
Turning Point USA is proud to pledge $10,000 to his legal defense fund.
We stand with… pic.twitter.com/eqbnNGAzfh
This is Michael Cassidy. He is a devout Christian and former military officer.
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 14, 2023
Michael just tore down and beheaded the Satan idol that was erected in the Iowa Capitol.
Not all heroes wear capes. pic.twitter.com/8j9z31lxop
Just chipped in 1000 dollars. Donate here to help this Christian warrior: https://t.co/45YYshJHuh
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) December 15, 2023
On Thursday evening, Cassidy posted the following verse on X:
1 Peter 5:8 KJV
— Michael Cassidy for MS 🇺🇸 (@VoteCassidy) December 14, 2023
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour
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