The Satanic Temple and Bay Space Council on Gender Variety are among the many organizations taking part within the Competition of Bushes occasion on the Nationwide Railroad Museum in Wisconsin.
There are 66 bushes on show on the museum in Ashwaubenon for the annual occasion.
In response to a report from Fox News, “The tree belonging to the Satanic Temple was adorned with red lighting and beads, pentagrams, and various ornaments, with one reading, ‘Hail Santa,’ an apparent play off the phrase, ‘Hail Satan.’ The Gender Diversity tree included pink and blue colored trans flags, and ornaments with sayings such as, ‘Protect Trans Kids.’”
Nationwide Railroad Museum CEO Jacqueline Frank defended the inclusion of the controversial bushes.
“We have six Christian-related groups that have trees up this year, but it’s mostly businesses and nonprofit organizations,” Frank informed the Green Bay Press Gazette. “We have everything from a tree with hardware on it, a tea tree, we have a Lego tree. It’s a lot of different organizations promoting their business.”
Frank mentioned that the museum won’t reject any group’s bushes, even when “it goes against certain values or ways of life, traditional or not.”
“There was no hesitation. We’re not a religious organization. We focus on trains,” Frank mentioned. “And honestly, the Christmas tree is used by so many different secular and religious organizations. All we’re doing is putting up decoration in that room.”
Outrageous! Nationwide Railroad Museum contains a Satanic worship tree https://t.co/B8f7PXrtiB #wiright pic.twitter.com/8zLI4Lgv1O
— Matt Batzel (@MattBatzel) November 22, 2023
The CEO claimed that rejecting the Satanic Temple would set a foul precedent for the inclusion of different religions.
“If we want to be an inclusive organization, we want to make sure that everybody feels comfortable. Who am I to suddenly say … this thing that is your belief system and outside the mainstream is bad?” Frank mentioned. “I think there’s a lot to be said of being able to include everybody, to respect everyone and to provide dignity for everybody.”
Every group pays $75 to $150 to embellish a tree, nevertheless they see match. It is among the museum’s predominant fundraising occasions every year.
When requested by the Press Gazette if the museum will welcome the Satanic Temple once more subsequent yr, Frank mentioned they completely will.
“We’re not discriminating against anyone. And as long as they’re not promoting violence or anything along those lines, we absolutely support having them, as well as any religion or secular organization that wants to decorate a tree,” Frank mentioned.
The bushes will stay on show till December 31.
