Satanist inmate sues county - Claims Religious Persecution and Civil Rights VIolations

UPDATED AT BOTTOM OF POST

This story is just too funny, for very obvious reasons.

From the Billings Gazette:

A Billings man in prison for drug possession has filed a $10 million federal lawsuit against Yellowstone County for alleged civil-rights violations, including interference with his satanic religious practices.

Jason Paul Indreland claims in the U.S. District Court lawsuit that county jail staff took from him a religious medallion, denied him access to religious material and ridiculed and punished him for his religious beliefs.

The lawsuit also alleges that Indreland was denied medical care for his drug addiction, that he was placed in situations where violence was expected and that he suffered harassment and retaliation while incarcerated.

Indreland said he has been a practicing Satanist for the past decade and the confiscated medallion was a "protective symbol" in his religion. The lawsuit claims jail staff refused to return the medallion or allow Indreland access to a "Satanic Bible or Book of Satanic Rituals."

Gee, I hope no Prison Guard is so inhumane as to flush his medallion down a toilet, or anything like that.

After all, Satanism is a Religion of Peace, or, at least, submission. And, most practicers of Satanism are moderates. There are only a tiny minority of extremists.

And clearly, Mr. Indreland is not an extremist.

All cultures, and all religions, deserve to be treated with equal respect.

UPDATE: This is classic. We received an email from the Council on American-Satanic Relations, which reads as follows:

As an authorized spokesperson and member of the clergy of the Church of Satan I am writing to respond to the articles about the inmate suing the prison in order to be allowed to practice “Satanism.” 

It is important to note that the Church of Satan prohibits all illegal activity, and only very rarely supports any criminal’s request for membership. In my tenure with the organization I have seen several members excommunicated for illegal activity, and not a single inmate granted membership.

In this case the criminal deserves no assistance from the Church of Satan, nor will the organization support his alleged rights. If he is looking for forgiveness and welcome he’d do better by the Christian religions that practice mercy---we don’t.

As far as the Church of Satan is concerned this inmate is not a Satanist and we will not have our religion attached to such a ridiculous and shameful attempt at avoiding responsibility. Our rules are clear. He has broken them. Now he must face the consequences. Those who are interested in true Satanism and the difference between Satanism and devil worship are welcome to visit the following sites:
There Is Only One Form of Satanism

Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha!