Concord, NH, has become a focal point of controversy as it approves The Satanic Temple’s holiday display alongside a Christian nativity scene in a bid to promote religious equality.
At a Glance
- The Satanic Temple’s holiday display is installed outside the New Hampshire State Capitol in Concord.
- The display includes Baphomet, a satanic version of the American flag, and the Temple’s core tenets.
- The City of Concord allowed the display, citing First Amendment rights, to avoid potential lawsuits.
- The display, controversial yet symbolizing religious liberty, has generated divided opinions and was vandalized.
Satanic Temple’s Display Sparks Controversy
The Satanic Temple of New Hampshire and Vermont displayed a holiday monument outside the New Hampshire State Capitol, directly criticizing the proximity of a Christian nativity scene. The installation features Baphomet and is adorned with inverted crosses, pentagrams, and a satanic version of the American flag. It prominently displays a tablet inscribed with the Satanic Temple’s seven core tenets, designed to advocate empathy and challenge perceived injustice.
The display was installed amid protests and threats of legal action by The Satanic Temple if not allowed. The City of Concord reasoned that refusing the permit could incite lawsuits, relying on the protection of First Amendment rights.
The decision to permit such a display underscores the city’s relentless pursuit of religious multiplicity. This comes even as the display was vandalized shortly after being set up—a challenge the city must now address. N.H. State Rep. Ellen Read aided in the statue’s restoration, illustrating her commitment to religious expression.
“Under the First Amendment and to avoid litigation, the City needed to choose whether to ban all holiday displays installed by other groups, or otherwise, to allow it,” a post on the City of Concord’s Facebook page said.
Read the article: https://t.co/xnB7lQWomv pic.twitter.com/ntOR3iQaxb
— The Satanic Temple (@satanic_temple_) December 8, 2024
Public Reaction and Legal Implications
Concord Mayor Byron Champlin expressed disapproval, viewing the display as a political maneuver rather than a genuine religious expression. He noted, “I opposed the permit on the basis that the request was not made in the interest of promoting religious equity but to drive an anti-religious political agenda leveraging the attention one can receive during this time of year.”
During this period, the city resolved to continue allowing unattended holiday displays as it reviews policy adjustments in the following year.
The incident could lead to alterations in Concord’s public display policies, prompting discussions about setting up a city committee for policy review. Mayor Champlin acknowledges the sensitivity of the subject by stating, “Vandalism is never an appropriate response to this.” His statement suggests a potential shift in city policy on public displays.
In Concord, NH, the Satanic Temple has installed its own holiday monument in front of the New Hampshire State House, near the city Christmas tree and a nativity scene. The Satanic Temple threatened to sue if they weren’t allowed to hail Satan during Christmas 🤦🏻♀️ (link to article… pic.twitter.com/cbHTnygH5W
— OneOutOfFour (@OneOutof4) December 8, 2024
Religious Liberty and Multiplicity
Lucien Greaves, a spokesman for The Satanic Temple, emphasized the essential nature of religious liberty. He asserted, “And the law demands, as it should, that the government not insert itself in matters of religious opinion practice, or identity. This is the very essence of religious liberty, that each of us is free to believe or disbelieve, to have and hold our religious opinions, as we see fit.”
Through its actions, The Satanic Temple seeks to further unity and religious pluralism, continuing to wield lawsuits as a means to include its religious displays publicly. They assert the need for religious judicial protection, resonating with Concord’s intent to safeguard First Amendment principles and the varied beliefs of its citizens.
