Satanic Temple monument joins nativity scene in N.H. to 'avoid litigation,' city says

Alongside a nativity scene in Concord, New Hampshire, stands a new black goat-headed figure with horns holding a bouquet of lilacs, the state’s flower, and an apple.

The figure, Baphomet, is from The Satanic Temple’s New Hampshire and Vermont congregation. It was unveiled Saturday as part of Concord’s City Plaza holiday display during the month of December after The Satanic Temple received a permit for the monument.

The Satanic Temple, which opened its first official headquarters in Salem in 2016, and its members don’t view Satan as an evil figure, but as one who dared question authority. It is different from the Church of Satan. The group advocates for the separation of church and state and is known for attempting to get its one-ton goat-headed idol statue put next to the 10 Commandments monument on public grounds.

In Concord, a Bill of Rights scene installed by the Freedom from Religion Foundation is also near the nativity scene.

The Satanic Temple has been making requests to install its monuments at holiday displays “as part a show of unity and religious pluralism,” the city said in a Facebook post. “Throughout the country, the Satanic Temple has both threatened and brought lawsuits under the First Amendment when excluded.”

In order to “avoid litigation,” the city decided to allow the display, the Facebook post stated. Otherwise, the city would have to ban all holiday displays.

“After reviewing its legal options, the City ultimately decided to continue the policy of allowing unattended displays at City Plaza during this holiday season and to allow the statue,” the city said. “It is anticipated that City Council will review next year whether permits for unattended holiday displays should be allowed at City Plaza.”

The apple in Baphomet‘s hand represents “a quest for knowledge, defiance in the face of arbitrary authority, and our commitment to self-determination,” according to Orpheus Gaur, director of the Satanic Representation Campaign. The seven tenets are also included on a plaque. They include acting with compassion, not distorting scientific facts to fit one’s beliefs and acknowledging that people are fallible.

During the unveiling, which was livestreamed on Facebook, The Satanic Temple Minister Vivian Kelly reminded people how important empathy and compassion are and reiterating some of the seven tenets.

“Just because we’re not large in number, doesn’t mean our beliefs are less important than any of the other religions represented here,” Kelly said.