Iowa officials can’t ignore the Constitution

Once again, the Reynolds administration has denied a request by the Satanic Temple of Iowa to hold a holiday event in the Statehouse rotunda.

Last year, the Department of Administrative Services fabricated a risk to kids from Krampus costume contest participants who carry prop sticks.

This year, state officials denied the temple’s request to hold an event in mid-December for the same reason. DAS contends the event will include “obscene materials” depicting “gratuitous violence and gore.”

Again, DAS made up a fairy tale to deny the temple a spot, along with a Christmas tree and any other Christian holiday displays likely to grace the rotunda.

This, of course, flies in the face of the U.S. Constitution. The First Amendment makes it crystal clear that it’s not OK for the government to pick and choose which religions it allows in the public square. There is no threat to children, only to religious freedom.

But, of course, the saga is tinged with politics.

“This is not a religious expression. It's not free speech, it is evil,” Republican candidate for governor Adam Steen, standing in front of a Capitol Christmas tree, told reporters. His backers cheered him on.

Steen was the director of the Department of Administrative Services when last year’s temple event was canceled. His stand against “Satan” is a cornerstone of his campaign.

“This moment proves this is a battle between good and evil. Good has won,” Steen said.

DAS has many functions, but it is not responsible for interpreting the Constitution. That’s why the ACLU of Iowa has filed legal action against the state for denying the temple’s request and for failing to release public records regarding the decision.

For the record, the Satanic Temple of Iowa does not worship Satan. It's a provocative name that draws attention to threats to religious freedom, including freedom from religion.

And no, members do not promote “evil.”

“We acknowledge blasphemy is a legitimate expression of personal independence from counterproductive traditional norms,” according to the temples’ website.

But, really, none of that should matter. We do not need a government-sponsored inquisition to create a list of acceptable religions and religious viewpoints.

This isn’t a tough call. Allow the temple to hold its event and acknowledge its constitutional right to do so. Or remove all religious displays.

Leave the fire and brimstone on the campaign trail. The Capitol is the people’s building, not an arena controlled by religious conservatives waging a culture war.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com