The Satanic Temple unveiled its design for a seven foot-tall statue of Satan that it wants to erect alongside a Ten Commandments monument in the Oklahoma State Capitol.
CBS is reporting that the temple submitted several designs, one of which depicts Satan as Baphomet, a goat-headed figure with horns, wings and a long beard. It features Satan sitting on a throne with two smiling children standing next to him.
“The monument has been designed to reflect the views of Satanists in Oklahoma City and beyond,” temple spokesman Lucien Greaves said in a statement. “The statue will also have a functional purpose as a chair where people of all ages may sit on the lap of Satan for inspiration and contemplation.”
Request for the erection of the monument came after the Oklahoma Legislature authorized a privately funded Ten Commandments monument at the Capitol. The ACLU is currently suing to have the monument removed.
Meanwhile, other groups, such as the Satanic Temple, Hindus in Nevada and a satirical church named the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, are also petitioning to have a monument erected.
As a result, the Oklahoma Capitol Preservation Commission has placed a moratorium on considering any new requests.
“Anybody can still make their request, but we’ll hold off on considering them until the lawsuit is adjudicated,” commission Chairman Trait Thompson said.
The monument to Satan stands little chance of ever being erected in such a conservative state.
“I think you’ve got to remember where you are. This is Oklahoma, the middle of the Heartland,” said Oklahoma state representative Don Armes (R). “I think we need to be tolerant of people who think different than us, but this is Oklahoma, and that’s not going to fly here.”
Other lawmakers, such as Rep. Earl Sears (R) call the monument to Satan “an insult to the good people of the state.”
“I do not see Satanism as a religion,” Sears said, “and they have no place at the state Capitol.”
Whether they are considered a religion or not, the Temple intends to push forward and has already collected $20,000 for the project.
“Satan stands as the ultimate icon for the selfless revolt against tyranny, free & rational inquiry, and the responsible pursuit of happiness,” the website says.
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