We told you the Satanic Temple was preparing to file a lawsuit this week against the state of Florida. Now, those plans have been dropped because the temple is being allowed to put up a holiday display inside the Capitol.
The display depicts an angel falling into a pit of fire. It’s scheduled to go up on December 22. It includes a banner with the words "Happy holidays from the Satanic Temple.”
The Florida Department of Management Services approved the application without comment. It rejected the same display last year for being "grossly offensive." A temple spokesman says the only difference this time is that the group arrived with lawyers.
The controversy started last year when a Christian group got permission to construct a nativity scene inside the Capitol. That opened the door for an assortment of groups seeking permission to put up their own holiday displays.
Capitol visitors were then greeted by a 6-foot pole of beer cans celebrating Festivus, the holiday "for the rest of us" from the TV show "Seinfeld." The Festivus poll is likely to return. Its approval is pending along with a request by the American Atheists of Tallahassee.
Also coming back? The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Known as Pastafarians, the group last year offered a display consisting of a pile of noodles with eyes perched on a small chair.
Other approved displays include a nativity scene and a Winter Solstice banner.
Displays are now limited to seven days in the Capitol instead of getting an open-ended run during the holiday season. Groups that don’t get them out on time will be fined $100.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated.
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