Festivus and Satanist displays in Florida Approved Through Legal Battle

By Alison Lesley --
23 Dec 2014 --

Non-Christians have started celebrating Satanist religion by displaying an odd piece of art near nativity displays to celebrate their belief.

After legal battles that tried to prevent it, displays that celebrate the Satanist religion and the fictional Festivus celebration are now legally allowed to be displayed in the state of Florida – alongside Nativity displays. The courts have accepted that all religions and faiths have the right to display pieces of art that celebrate their beliefs, but governments are not allowed to discriminate between them. This ruling has allowed many different atheist and Satanist groups to challenge the usual Christian monopoly on displays around the Christmas season.

One such display has been created by the Detroit chapter of the Satanic Temple, and has been placed outside the capitol building in Michigan from December 21 – 23. In contrast to the Christian nativity scene, this display will feature a snake that is wrapped around the Satanic cross. In a statement on their Facebook page, they have stated: “Just as the Nativity represents a mythology of the birth of Christ, the Snake is symbolic of the birth of human enlightenment and liberation.”

The Satanist display proclaims "The Greatest Gift in Knowledge" http://t.co/5gXyaQX1cB
— Clyde Lewis (@ClydeLewis) December 20, 2014

The creation of Festivus occurred on the television show Seinfield, and was intended to be a source of celebration during the Christmas season for those that do not follow the Christian faith. Within that idea is the Festivus pole, which is traditionally created from one single long pole of metal. However, Chaz Stevens has created a Festivus pole out of beer cans, and placed it right alongside a Nativity scene within the Tallahassee government building. His aim was to put something next to the Nativity scene which was just as “ridiculous.” These decisions are proving to be very unpopular with some Christians, as they are seen as a mockery of God, and very disrespectful.