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Theft of 'Vote Satan' Sign a Hate Crime, Couple Says

Police, neighbors think it's not such a big deal

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 5, 2012 11:04 AM CDT

(Newser) – Sometimes being a Satanist can be a hell of a burden. That's what Luigi and Angie Bellaviste have discovered after someone stole their "Vote Satan" sign from their Colorado front porch—an act they'd like to be considered a hate crime. But police aren't biting, reports 7News. "Had that been the Star of David or a verse from the Koran ... that got damaged by somebody against those beliefs, that would certainly be considered a hate crime," said Luigi.

The Mountain View, Colo., couple say they don't bow down before a literal devil "with horns and a pitchfork"; but they do like that the religion "symbolizes freedom from dogmas." The Bellaviste front lawn also is home to an upside-down cross, fake spiders, the number 666, and some skulls. Neighbors say the Bellavistes' beliefs don't really bother them, and suspect the sign was just stolen by some rascally kids. Police are filing the incident as a theft.

The Bellavistes of Mountain View, Colo., say a satanic sign stolen from their lawn was a hate crime.
The Bellavistes of Mountain View, Colo., say a satanic sign stolen from their lawn was a hate crime.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 153 comments
MagistrraYgraine
Jul 7, 2012 3:45 PM CDT
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."  Until getting murdered, beaten or robbed can be distinguished as a love crime, or a platonic post-indifferent crime, the term hate crime implies one person's pain is more than another's, getting further away from equality within the law rather than closer to it.
Endangeredwhiteguy
Jul 6, 2012 8:56 AM CDT
Question. Is the sign depicted one that is allegedly to have been stolen or did someone else post the pic? Either way, somebody is ignorant. The symbol depicted is a Pentacle. This is the symbol of Pagans used mainly by Wiccans. Satanists have co-opted this symbol, and when they display the Pentagram, which is the star itself minus the circle, they display it upside down, making the symbol resemble the outline of a goats head. Either the so called Satanists in this story don't know their own religion, or whoever posted the pic does not know the difference.
Cotati
Jul 5, 2012 11:14 PM CDT
Satan must be laughing with evil glee right now, no wait......
 

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