Monday marks the beginning of funnel week. Any bill that wants to become law through the traditional legislative process has to pass a committee by the end of this week.
Neither proposal banning Satanic displays or Satanic worship on state property or property of a political subdivision of the state has been scheduled for a subcommittee, putting the bills in peril.
Senate File 2210 and House File 2370 are companion bills. They aim to prohibit the state or any political subdivision of the state from recognizing organizations or individuals who refer to Satan as a deity, worship Satan or who reference Satan or Satanism as part of the organization’s or individual’s religious practice as an establishment of religion.
Displays, symbols or the practice of Satanic worship will not be allowed on public property, in public schools, on property owned by public schools or on any property owned by the state or any of its political subdivisions.
The bill also prohibits any act of Satanic practice or worship that involves the ending of a life or the shedding of blood, whether it is an animal or human sacrifice.
The Senate version is sponsored by Sen. Sandy Salmon. The House version is sponsored by Rep. Brad Sherman and cosponsored by Representatives Helena Hayes, Tom Jeneary, Mark Thompson, Luana Stoltenberg, Anne Osmundson, Mark Cisneros and Zach Dieken.
VALOR Iowa and Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition have registered in support of the bill. Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers are registered against.
