Beating of Queens Satanist Prompts Hate Crime Charges

[seriousstan]

Ever since he was 12, Daniel Romano has cut a noticeable figure around Middle Village, a working class part of Queens. Mr. Romano, 20, who calls himself a Satanist, stands out, with his blue-tinted bouffant hairdo, his black clothing and fingernails, and the prominent crucifix, worn upside down.

Mr. Romano has long been teased for dressing like a "gothic kid" or simply a "goth," in a community with small homes, neat lawns and populated with many Roman Catholics.

But in recent weeks, two local teenagers began fixating on Mr. Romano, calling him names including "Satan worshiper," "baby sacrificer" and "hooker killer," the authorities say. On Sunday the verbal harassment turned into violence.

Mr. Romano, while walking on 72nd Street in Maspeth, was attacked by the two teenagers, the authorities say. Yesterday the Queens district attorney, Richard A. Brown, announced that the young men, Paul C. Rotondi and Frank M. Scarpinito, both 18 and from Middle Village, would be charged with hate crimes, which carry harsher penalties and are usually leveled when an attack involves a victim's ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/12/nyregion/12attack.html?ei=5006&en=873c2a5018b070a9&ex=1106110800&partner=ALTAVISTA1&pagewanted=print&position=

[MARALE]

1. Good

Sounds like they attacked him because of his beliefs, whatever they were. This is no different than any other hate crime. I don't agree with his beliefs, but as long as he was not hurting anyone, he can do as he wishes.

[Aunt Anti-bush]

2. I feel the same way you do.

I might not believe in his choice but I darn sure support his freedom to live as he pleases!

[BBradley]

3. I agree as well

Those damn christians have been persecuting Satan for too long.

[joefree1]

8. Uh, you have to be a Christian to be a Satanist

You have to be one to believe in the other. So does this make it a hate crime against one's own religion? :crazy:


Seating now available in the Smoking Section:
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[pschoeb]

9. Umm, Satan is in the Old Testament

So there is no reason to have to believe in Christ. Satan is also in the Quran.

I'm also assuming that, as an example, Catholics aren't obligated to believe that Satan is a Jinn, even though this is what the Quran says. Therefore someone who wants to claim to worship Satan is not required to beleive in Christ if their religion says he doesn't exist. Just because ancient texts mention Satan is no reason that the Satanist would have to believe these texts.

[joefree1]

14. Umm, you're right, ... sorta of

You could be Jewish and believe in Satan. You could be Muslim and believe in Satan.

So to you have to be a believer of one of the "Abrahamic" religions to believe in Satan.

I didn't say that all Christians believe in Satan though. Just if you believe in Satan you are a Christian, or a Muslim, or a Jew.

I'm a Pagan and believe that Satan is a myth. :evilgrin:

[Ariana Celeste]

13. You don't have to believe in Satan.

There are two types of Satanism. Traditional, in which yes they do believe in Satan. And "Modern Satanists", also known as LaVeyan Satanism based on LaVeys Satanic Bible. Modern Satanists don't believe in Satan as a deity, they believe in Satan as a symbol. This type of Satanism has the majority of members. They have some sound principles, and are widely misunderstood- because Christians (not all, I know) tend to point out anyone who is immoral or non-Christian as being Satanic. They spread myths about vast underground Satanic cults. And thus most people have no idea that these Modern Satanists are no different than you and I. I know a few of them. I understand their beliefs. Check out http://churchofsatan.com if you're interested.

:evilfrown:

[joefree1]

15. I've read LeVeys book

His concept of Satan is drawn from Christian, Jew, or Muslim beliefs.

Why I might understand your logic, saying one is a Satanist while not believing in Satan is like saying one is a Christian while not believing in Christ.


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PaganWarrior/

[Rowdyboy]

4. Yet another example of tolerance in the "blue states"

I thought all the hate was down south?

[sleipnir]

10. Uh...news flash, people get beat up in Blue States, too.

There are bigots all over the world, not just in Red states.

28% of Queens voted for Bush, so there it is.

Nothing personal, but I wish we'd give this Red State / Blue State crap a permanent rest.

[Rowdyboy]

12. Me too. So why am I fueling it further?

Because the one of the first things I saw on DU was yet another slam on southerners. So I went on a tirade, pointing out examples of "blue state" ignorance, racism, hatred etc.

Its out of my system now so, in the words of Emily Littela (through Gilda Radner), "Never mind..." :)

[slackmaster]

5. If not for persecution by Roman Catholic zealots

My family would never have left Europe.

[saltpoint]

6. Romano's religious path is his business and --

-- does not require the approval of the two 18-year olds, or his community of "neat homes."

Hate crimes legislation exists because of instances like this in Queens.

I wish this had not happened.

[saltpoint]

7. .....

(must have hit the button twice... sorry.)

[Redstone]

11. If he's a Satanist, does that mean

he worships Bush?

Redstone

[MrSlayer]

16. Good I hope they go to prison.

Stupid assholes minding someone else's business. I hope they have fun with the big boys in jail.

[VegasWolf]

17. Good. Satan has been getting a bad rap by these christians for a

long time!