Satanic Temple Unveils Baphomet Statue During Arkansas Capitol Rally

Hundreds attended a rally held by the Satanic Temple for the First Amendment and religious plurality at the Arkansas State Capitol on Thursday. The rally was also to protest against a Ten Commandments monument placed on government ground.

The temple also unveiled a more than eight feet tall statue of a goat-headed, winged creature called Baphomet during the rally.

The Arkansas legislature approved to place the Ten Commandments monument on government ground, following which the temple filed a lawsuit to have their Baphomet statue too placed at the government property.

Lucien Greaves, a Satanic Temple spokesman and co-founder, Tonya Hardwick, a resident, Chad Jones, a Conway-based minister with Arkansas Progressive Christians, Sadie Satanas, Co-Chapter Head of the Satanic Temple Santa Cruz, and Leewood Thomas, a founding member of the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers, were the five speakers during the rally, who called for the removal of the Ten Commandments monument or permission for the installation of the Baphomet statute at the same ground, KARK reported.

According to the temple, the installation of the Baphomet statue would demonstrate religious tolerance, while the Ten Commandments monument violates the constitutional freedom of religion rights, KY3 reported.

During the 2017 legislative session, the temple asked the lawmakers to pass a bill that would allow for the installation of a Baphomet statue on capitol grounds. However, none of the lawmakers responded to the request. The temple said it will sue the state, claiming religious discrimination.

Greaves said, “The event is intended to be an inclusive gathering where The Satanic Temple will be celebrating pluralism along with Christian and secular speakers. People of many faiths will come together at the Capitol to reject the Arkansas State Legislature's efforts to privilege one religion over others.”

A board under the unveiled statue gave special thanks to Senator Jason Rapert, who was responsible for the installation of the Ten Commandments monument.

“The first amendment in our Bill of Rights states specifically that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. I hold these rights very dear personally and will always defend the rights of American citizens even when we may disagree,” Rapert said in a statement.

“I pledge to all Arkansans that we will defend the will of the Arkansas people and the honor of our great state. It was my honor to sponsor the bill which led to passage of the Arkansas Ten Commandments Monument Act and I hope to help every state in our nation do the same if they wish to do so,” he added.

The bill approving the placement of the Baphomet statue is yet to be passed by the lawmakers.