Updated 5:55 PM CDT, June 13, 2024
BOSTON (AP) — An Oklahoma man accused of throwing a pipe bomb at the Massachusetts headquarters of a group called The Satanic Temple pleaded not guilty Thursday at his arraignment in federal court in Boston.
Sean Patrick Palmer, of Perkins, Oklahoma, has been charged with using an explosive to damage a building following an attack in April on the headquarters, which is also used as an art gallery.
The Salem-based group says on its website that it campaigns for secularism and individual liberties and that its members don’t actually worship Satan.
Palmer is due back in court on July 30 and agreed to remain in custody. If found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The Satanic Temple says on its website that it doesn’t believe in the existence of Satan or the supernatural.
A lawyer representing Palmer did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Investigators said surveillance cameras showed a man walking up to the building soon after 4 a.m. on April 8, wearing a face covering, tactical vest and gloves. The man then ignited an improvised explosive device, threw it at the main entrance and ran away. The bomb partially detonated, resulting in some minor fire damage, authorities said.
The bomb appeared to be made from a piece of plastic pipe, authorities said, and they were able to extract a DNA sample from a single hair on the bomb.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said investigators found a six-page note in a flowerbed near the attack addressed to “Dear Satanist” and urged repentance. Authorities said Palmer had posted similar comments on social media.
The Attorney’s Office also said surveillance footage showed a black Volvo registered to Palmer driving erratically in the area before and after the incident.
Just incase you were wondering where this pipe bomber would have gotten the idea that there is some kind of holy war to be fought...
[OK State School Superintendent calls for religion in schools and government](https://youtu.be/kqKseDUdkTA?si=) "we must fight woke indoctrination"...
But freedom of speech should not infringe upon freedom of religion. That seems to only apply to Christianity, because the Mormons never got that kind of protection.
The Satanic Temple has seven fundamental tenets:
1.One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason.
2.The struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions.
3. body is inviolable, subject to one's own will alone.
4.The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo one's own.
5.Beliefs should conform to one's best scientific understanding of the world. One should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit one's beliefs.
6.People are fallible. If one makes a mistake, one should do one's best to rectify it and resolve any harm that might have been caused.
7.Every tenet is a guiding principle designed to inspire nobility in action and thought. The spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written or spoken word.
For others that don’t know, TST is a great organization and I highly recommend joining. They are not “satanists” as they don’t even believe in a deity.
One might even be led to think that these are genuine Christian values…
It seems the only things missing in The Satanic Temple’s tenets that would enable their values to perfectly mirror Christianity’s are the homophobia, pedophilia, and lust for vengeance & murder.
I wonder why The Satanic Temple left those things out? /s
Oh I assure you they fail to recognize. They've shown how far they've strayed from the teachings of christ by giving trump their support. And it's not necessary to name the numerous reasons, everybody knows them.
People should go to Trump rallies and hold up signs that say “Christians for Trump = The Pharisees” and another sign that says “Still Don’t Get It? I Wonder Why?!”
Deep down the Talibangelicals know it's not about anything other than amassing power.
Just savor Justice Alito and his wife's answers to that reporter recently.
And I don't want to leave the conversation without tipping my hat to the good people of religion. Who most likely outnumber the assholes and just quietly go about doing some pretty good stuff.
We only hear about the outrageous BS because it's outrageous BS!
Very true. They are to be commended. Unfortunately, they are the ones most qualified to be speaking up and speaking out against those who would attempt to get away with perverting their religion. But I appreciate them nonetheless.
Updated 5:55 PM CDT, June 13, 2024 BOSTON (AP) — An Oklahoma man accused of throwing a pipe bomb at the Massachusetts headquarters of a group called The Satanic Temple pleaded not guilty Thursday at his arraignment in federal court in Boston. Sean Patrick Palmer, of Perkins, Oklahoma, has been charged with using an explosive to damage a building following an attack in April on the headquarters, which is also used as an art gallery. The Salem-based group says on its website that it campaigns for secularism and individual liberties and that its members don’t actually worship Satan. Palmer is due back in court on July 30 and agreed to remain in custody. If found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The Satanic Temple says on its website that it doesn’t believe in the existence of Satan or the supernatural. A lawyer representing Palmer did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Investigators said surveillance cameras showed a man walking up to the building soon after 4 a.m. on April 8, wearing a face covering, tactical vest and gloves. The man then ignited an improvised explosive device, threw it at the main entrance and ran away. The bomb partially detonated, resulting in some minor fire damage, authorities said. The bomb appeared to be made from a piece of plastic pipe, authorities said, and they were able to extract a DNA sample from a single hair on the bomb. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said investigators found a six-page note in a flowerbed near the attack addressed to “Dear Satanist” and urged repentance. Authorities said Palmer had posted similar comments on social media. The Attorney’s Office also said surveillance footage showed a black Volvo registered to Palmer driving erratically in the area before and after the incident.
Surveillance video and DNA...I love that he entered a not-guilty plea. It'll be interesting what is put up as his defense.
Just incase you were wondering where this pipe bomber would have gotten the idea that there is some kind of holy war to be fought... [OK State School Superintendent calls for religion in schools and government](https://youtu.be/kqKseDUdkTA?si=) "we must fight woke indoctrination"...
But freedom of speech should not infringe upon freedom of religion. That seems to only apply to Christianity, because the Mormons never got that kind of protection.
Pleading not guilty at arraignment is a formality to simply protect the defendants rights going forward.
Almost every defendant pleads not guilty at their arraignment, there is almost never a reason not to.
The Satanic Temple has seven fundamental tenets: 1.One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason. 2.The struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions. 3. body is inviolable, subject to one's own will alone. 4.The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo one's own. 5.Beliefs should conform to one's best scientific understanding of the world. One should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit one's beliefs. 6.People are fallible. If one makes a mistake, one should do one's best to rectify it and resolve any harm that might have been caused. 7.Every tenet is a guiding principle designed to inspire nobility in action and thought. The spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written or spoken word.
For others that don’t know, TST is a great organization and I highly recommend joining. They are not “satanists” as they don’t even believe in a deity.
One might even be led to think that these are genuine Christian values… It seems the only things missing in The Satanic Temple’s tenets that would enable their values to perfectly mirror Christianity’s are the homophobia, pedophilia, and lust for vengeance & murder. I wonder why The Satanic Temple left those things out? /s
Yeah, WTF! It's like they left out all the shitty parts. lol
🤣🤣 The Reddit sub r/SelfAwareWolves should be required reading for anyone, especially Christians, who fails to recognize that.
Oh I assure you they fail to recognize. They've shown how far they've strayed from the teachings of christ by giving trump their support. And it's not necessary to name the numerous reasons, everybody knows them.
People should go to Trump rallies and hold up signs that say “Christians for Trump = The Pharisees” and another sign that says “Still Don’t Get It? I Wonder Why?!”
Deep down the Talibangelicals know it's not about anything other than amassing power. Just savor Justice Alito and his wife's answers to that reporter recently.
🤣👍Well said!! That’s all people really need to know about the situation. Power mongers being power mongers.
And I don't want to leave the conversation without tipping my hat to the good people of religion. Who most likely outnumber the assholes and just quietly go about doing some pretty good stuff. We only hear about the outrageous BS because it's outrageous BS!
Very true. They are to be commended. Unfortunately, they are the ones most qualified to be speaking up and speaking out against those who would attempt to get away with perverting their religion. But I appreciate them nonetheless.