Couple Wants Theft Of “Vote Satan” Sign To Be Considered A Hate Crime
A couple in Mountain View, Colorado want local police to consider the theft of their “Vote Satan” sign to be a hate crime and they aren’t going down without a fight.
According to Luigi Bellavite, the sign, which was hanging next to an American flag was a part of his yards “theme” which looks like a year-long Halloween display with fake spiders, skulls, upside down crosses and mannequins dressed as witches and devils.
Speaking to ABC7 News Bellavite and his wife Angie admit that they belong to the Church of Satan but they say the church isn’t just about believing in Satan. Luigi tells ABC7:
“I don’t believe there is a devil down there with horns and a pitchfork.”
According to Bellavite he only posted the sign because it “symbolizes freedom from dogmas.”
Bellavite says he doesn’t care about the actual sign which only cost $20, his big issue is that under the first amendment he is supposed to have freedom of religion.
While police did file an official theft report Bellavite wants more, noting:
“If it was the Star of David, absolutely it would be a hate crime. There are such double standards that some religions and some ideas are protected and other are not. That’s why I’m (talking to the media.)”
In the meantime while some neighbors find the house “creepy” others say the Bellavites are not troublemakers and tend to keep to themselves, never pushing their religion on anyone.
The couple believes a group of kids in the neighborhood likely stole the sign so they could keep it as their own which in turn wouldn’t really constitute a hate crime.
According to the churches website the Church of Satan which was founded in 1966 believes in indulgence and “kindness to those who deserve it.”
Tags : Crime, hate crime, Religious Argument, satan, Vote For Satan
Posted: July 5, 2012
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Jul 5, 2012
Whatever! It's not something I want to read when I drive by, nor do I want those thoughts placed into the minds of my children and grandchildren. Some things are better left unsaid and unseen.
Jul 5, 2012
Marti this is America they have the right to believe what they want and even display it.
Jul 5, 2012
disgusting
Jul 5, 2012
This is America and they have the rights to freedom of speech and religion. People don't have to believe what they do or even agree with them but that's what's great about our nation. We are free (for now) to worship who/what we desire and to speak about it publicly (through words or signs, etc.). If you are offended by it drive a different route so you don't have to see it. Theft is a crime, no matter who has stolen what from whom. They deserve justice just like any other human being.
Jul 5, 2012
I agree, but your children /grandchilden are going to have many thoughts put into their head..Its our responsibilty to teach them what is unacceptable in concept….
Jul 5, 2012
@Marti..you'd better put your kids and grandkids in a covered plastic bubble if they are going to live in America. America, where the troops are sacrificing their lives to protect EVERYONE'S rights, and that includes freedom of speech and freedom of religion. If you do not believe that these people have the same rights as you, then you need to find a better country to live in that will allow YOU to dictate what people say and believe..NO, I'm not a part of anything satanic..I am a child of GOD and my kid went to MY church til he was old enough to make his own choices. Thankfully he chose the way of our LORD and Savior, but, he was exposed to this world and made that choice on his own..
Jul 5, 2012
@LInda well put~~
Jul 5, 2012
@Linda: yes, I agree. But driving down the road is not the time to have a philosophical discussion with my grandbabies who are only 8, 3, 3, and 1.
Jul 5, 2012
@Ann, refer to my reply to Linda, above. There's a time and a place for such philosophical discussions. Driving down the road on our way to a fun activity is not the time, nor the place. And who knows what thoughts foment in their impressionable minds when we don't have time to explain proper idealogy?
Jul 5, 2012
You cannot have it both ways. Either your grand kids are old enough to understand the implications and therefore are ready to have the philosophical discussion, or they are not (in which case the sign is moot). It sounds like you are uncomfortable or do not have an explanation for why this sigh should not be there and want to avoid it. Well avoidance doesn't make something go away. Logical, honest discussion is our greatest weapon against anything we are morally against and it is up to us as parents and grandparents to arm our descendants with the philosophical idealism we want them to follow. Not try to block them from seeing it. Besides, every American has the same right as every other American. I have faith in GOD and my children do too, but we cannot say that a person's rights are to be questioned just because they make us feel uncomfortable. If you believe in freedom you have to believe in it for the person who makes your blood boil. If his rights can be taken away then so can yours.
On the question of the article; Do I think this is a "Hate Crime"?. No. I think it is a prank and the person who did it should be fined (possibly) and made to apologize. And it is good to hear that there are still people in America that can disagree with another person's philosophy and still appreciate them as a human being. Kudos to the neighbor who stated that they were decent people.
Jul 6, 2012
It seems "hate" crimes are only those against blacks, or gays! Catholics think abortions are hate crimes, but what can we do about legal murder? But, it would seem people taking your sign might be a "hate" crime. I think many or most crimes are of hate of something or the other, and there should be no such "law."
Jul 7, 2012
As a representative for the international official, authentic and original Church of Satan our organization supports people of all religions pursuing their legal rights. While not having a political stance, the Church of Satan supports law and order, retributive punishment, and no forgiveness for those who break the societal contract. The person who stole someone else's property must be prosecuted, but in no way does the Church of Satan advocate the victim mentality of calling something a "hate crime." We also appreciate Reporter Thomasos' eloquent and accurate assessment of true Satanism by writing "Despite the name, the Church of Satan, founded in the 1960s, refutes any belief in the devil or supernatural entities; its ethos is carnal self-indulgence." The only thing we'd add is our firm conviction in personal responsibility and justice.
Jul 7, 2012
As a representative for the international official, authentic and original Church of Satan our organization supports people of all religions pursuing their legal rights. While not having a political stance, the Church of Satan supports law and order, retributive punishment, and no forgiveness for those who break the societal contract. The person who stole someone else's property must be prosecuted, but in no way does the Church of Satan advocate the victim mentality of calling something a "hate crime." We also appreciate Reporter Thomasos' eloquent and accurate assessment of true Satanism by writing "Despite the name, the Church of Satan, founded in the 1960s, refutes any belief in the devil or supernatural entities; its ethos is carnal self-indulgence." The only thing we'd add is our firm conviction in personal responsibility and justice.
Jul 9, 2012
Then maybe all churches need to remove their crosses.
Jul 9, 2012
You don't have time for your grand kids? That's horrible.