Karl Etters

Democrat staff writer

The Satanic Temple is again seeking to place a holiday display in the Florida Capitol.

In fact, it's the same holiday display that the group attempted to add to a number of religious displays last year, but was denied after the Department of Management Service deemed it "grossly offensive."

The Temple has not yet submitted its application, according to DMS Spokesman Ben Wolf.

The group and the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida claimed that free-speech right had been violated in denying the display, which depicted an angel falling into a pit of fire and placards with two Bible verses on them, while others including two Nativity scenes, a banner from the Freedom of Religion Foundation, displays from several atheist groups, a Festivus pole made of beer cans and one from the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster were allowed.

In a statement, spokesman of the New York based group Lucien Greaves said, "This year, we're submitting our display early, with plenty of time to confront any objections or concerns. In a nation that respects religious liberty, viewpoint discrimination is simply intolerable. For that reason, we feel our holiday display sends a very important, affirmative message that goes above and beyond that of superficial season's greetings. It's a message of religious freedom, and Church/State separation expressed in the State's neutrality."

When the display was denied last year, Greaves wrote to DMS, "It is not our intention to offend. Like the Nativity scene, it presents an image from a Biblical story, which is shared with other religious traditions besides our own. In addition, a positive sentiment of 'Happy Holidays' is displayed."

Displays in the Capitol cannot impede traffic or block permanent installments like the Civil Rights or Veterans halls of fame. According to DMS' guidelines, displays are limited to 6-feet in height.

The Temple's display was the only one denied last year.

It has enlisted the help of legal counsel at the educational, non-partisan group Americans United for Separation of Church and State, who is expected to release a letter calling on the state to ensure plurality is respected.

AUSCS attorney Gregory Lipper said the temple's wish is to be included in the public forum the state created by allowing displays.

"Once the state has opened up a public forum they can't say we like these messages and we don't like those," Lipper said from Washington D.C. "Once they have that forum they can't pick and among religions."

Lipper said his organization was working with the Temple on submitting the application, which he said would be complete within the near future.

Check back with Tallahassee.com for updates on this story.