Satanic Temple Dedicates Holiday Display At Illinois Capitol Rotunda

SPRINGFIELD, IL — A controversial Illinois group that promotes empathy and benevolence but draws attention because of its name has included its own display among more traditional holiday decorations at the Illinois State Capitol building.

Satanic Temple Illinois dedicated a display that included a crocheted snake and apples in the capitol Rotunda near a nativity scene, Menorah, and the Capitol Christmas tree, which is also part of the holiday decorations.

The group placed the display in the area and also features a book, Nicolaus Copernicus’s “De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium,” which argued in favor of a heliocentric model of the universe. In other words, the theory is that the earth revolves around the sun rather than the other way around.

The book was placed on the Index of Forbidden Books for 200 years, and still provides a valuable lesson, Satanic Temple officials believe. But the hand-made elements that surround the book and that were created by Illinois congregation members carry a similar meaning, officials said.

Satanic Temple Illinois’ Co-Congregation head, “Minister Adam” told Patch in an email on Wednesday that the 12-foot crocheted snake represents the pursuit of forbidden knowledge.

“Copernicus offered his revolutionary theory and evidence not as opposition of the religiously-influenced viewpoints of the day, but as a devout Catholic working in harmony with those who didn't accept his worldview,” said Minister Adam, who declined to provide his last name for security purposes. “In fact, the Catholic Church was largely silent on Copernicus' work, and according to some in the Church actually accepted Copernicus’ new view of the universe.”

“This harmony between Copernicus's revolutionary ideas that were opposite of the church's dovetails nicely with our continued goal for religious plurality, for every year we offer a display not in opposition with other religions, but in a show of equality and shared space with other religious viewpoints.”

The display was put in place in commemoration of Sol Invictus, a holiday on Dec. 25 that celebrates Roman gods and “being unconquered by superstition and consistent in the pursuit and sharing of knowledge,” according to the Satanic Temple’s website.

According to Henry Haupt, a spokesman for the Illinois Secretary of State, organizations must fill out a special event form and submit it to the Secretary of State Physical Services Department to take up space in the capitol rotunda.

Organizations must provide a temporary display, which is not paid for by tax dollars, and which must meet certain public safety requirements established by the Secretary of State. (

“Temporary displays of this nature, erected in a public space in the Capitol rotunda, are protected by the First Amendment," Haupt said in an email to Patch on Wednesday. "The U.S. Constitution protects freedom of speech, which remains a hallmark and cherished principle of this country.”

Like with much of the Satanic Temple’s work — which includes an after-school club for kids — Minister Adam said that holiday displays created by the organization draw mixed reviews. In the past, the group has commemorated the holidays with a statue of a hand, wrapped in a serpent and holding an apple, as well as a hand-made baby goat that includes human features.

Minister Adam told Patch that the group’s displays have drawn protests from Illinois residents and politicians who argue that the group shouldn’t be permitted to include displays in the same space as holiday symbols celebrated by other faith groups, including Jews and Christians.

He said the arguments are made in the vein of religious freedom, "which is textbook 'rules for thee but not for me' hypocrisy," Minister Adam told Patch.

But the group has also gotten its fair share of support for The Satanic Temple’s advocacy for Constitutional freedoms and for all residents to enjoy the same rights — even when it comes to how the holidays are celebrated.

“It’s a mixed bag,” Minister Adam said of the reaction.