Posted on 07/02/2012 1:09:04 PM PDT by RummyChick
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Colo. (CBS4)- A local couple who claim to be Satanists believe they’re a victim of a hate crime and were targeted because of their religious beliefs.
Someone cut down a political poster stating, “VOTE SATAN” from their front porch where they live in Mountain View, a suburb of Denver.
“We are Satanists… Satanists,” said Luigi Bellaviste.
Luigi and Angie Bellaviste belong to the Church of Satan. They even have a Satanic Bible in their home.
The couple is upset because a poster they had hanging from their front porch was recently cut down. poster Satanists Claim Theft Is Hate Crime
The “VOTE SATAN” poster before it was cut down (credit: Luigi Bellaviste)
It wasn’t very popular with some neighbors.
“Everybody that sees that sign says, ‘What is going on with those people?,’” said neighbor Mary Morasco.
The couple’s home and yard are decorated with items like a Christmas tree that has been painted black, skulls and the number 666. They believe the cutting down of the poster was an attack on their religious beliefs. poster missing Satanists Claim Theft Is Hate Crime
What remains of the poster after it was cut down from the Bellaviste’s yard (credit: Luigi Bellaviste)
“I feel like we’re being treated unfairly because it’s not a so-called mainstream religion,” said Luigi.
“I know of many people who have the Virgin Mary and tons of Jesus memorabilia ‘I Love Jesus’ and what is the difference?” said Angie.
Despite their opinion on the couple’s choice of lawn ornaments, most of the Bellaviste’s neighbors are on their side.
“It’s still their property. It’s still their house. They have a right to say whatever they have to say,” said one neighbor.
“Everyone has their own religion… to each his own, I guess,” said another neighbor.
The couple wants the police to consider the incident a hate crime because their religion is protected by the U.S. Constitution.
“Had that been the Star of David or a verse from the Koran,” said Luigi, “or something like that got damaged by somebody against those beliefs that would certainly be considered a hate crime.”
An officer with the Mountain View Police Department said the report will likely be filed as theft because there was no obvious attack on the couple’s church or religious beliefs.
If anyone should understand hate, it would be Satan and his followers.
0bama had one of his signs stolen?
I confess. The devil made me do it.
Same difference...
Voting 0bama or Satan is voting anti-Christ.
It’s God, not Satan, who says stealing is wrong. So what are they complaining about?
I’d rip that sign down too...what kind of logo is that? A first grader could have done better.
Are the Secret Service investigating the stolen “Vote obama”sign? Just wondering.
Um, if they were good Satanists, they’d say “thank you” for someone breaking a Judeo-Christian commandment.
Apparently they do not understand that “hate crimes” apply only to situations where the perpetrators are Caucasian and the “victims” are either African American or gay, etc.
Maybe a hipster doofus satanist stole it.
As Satanists who adore “666”, they are merely anti-Christian.
Even Anton LeVey’s Church of Satan did not believe in God or Satan, just rituals, cruelty, insult, and orgies.
“Um, if they were good Satanists, they’d say “thank you” for someone breaking a Judeo-Christian commandment.”
That’s right. They should be praising the people that stole the sign for upholding the Satanic Commandment of “Do what thou wilt.”
As Satanists, they don’t deserve to have their stuff stolen.
As the obnoxious “look at me” jerks on the block, they may find karma to be a pain in the butt.
And again I position that perhaps some Satanist was too lazy (or thought it COOLER to steal) and that may explain the missing flag.
...isn’t one of the Satanic creeds “If you want something take it”?
Why settle for the lesser of two evils?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.