The Catholic Spirit: Belle Plaine Catholics lead resistance to Satanic Temple veterans monument

And Belle Plaine’s Catholics don’t want it there

“With rights come responsibilities,” he said. “You can’t yell ‘fire’ in a crowded theater” if there isn’t one.

As for religious freedom, the government can have a “compelling” reason to set limits when a practice violates the common good, Adkins said, giving the example of the two Michigan doctors in court for performing female genital mutilation on two Minnesota Muslim girls for religious reasons.

Meanwhile, Adkins said it should shock people that there isn’t more push-back against the proposed memorial, with the exception of a priest and other Catholics.

“You’re invoking Satan,” he said. “We’ve come to a point in society, a post-Christian society, where someone could invoke the name of Satan and even put a monument in the town square — and we’re not talking Uptown, we’re talking Belle Plaine — and that basically there is no public outcry. Traditionally, Christians have understood that when you invoke demons, you’re cursing yourself and your community.”