Satan Statue Design at OK Capital on Hold Pending Resolution of Lawsuit
The Satanic Temple that garnered headlines for proposing to erect a monument at the Oklahoma state capital recently submitted an application and design for a statue of Satan.
The proposed statue would be a 7-foot tall Baphomet, a goat-headed figure with horns, wings and a long beard sitting in a pentagram-adorned throne with two small children on either side.
If the application is approved the monument would be placed on the state's capitol grounds in Oklahoma City next to a Ten Commandments monument that was erected in 2012.
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"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."
The New York-based Satanic Temple previously revealed that all religious symbols should be incorporated at the capital after allowing the privately funded Ten Commandments monument, according to The Associated Press.
In light of the Ten Commandments monument the Oklahoma chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit seeking to remove the religious-themed monument from government property.
Several of the state's lawmakers have voiced opposition to the monument by insisting that Satanism is not a religion but rather part of the Occult.
"I do not see Satanism as a religion, and they have no place at the state Capitol," said Rep. Earl Sears, R-Bartlesville, while calling the group's effort "an insult to the good people of the state."
There have also been requests from a Hindu leader, an animal rights group and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster to place monuments at the state capital. However, the Oklahoma Capitol Preservation Commission recently placed a moratorium on considering any new requests until all litigation is resolved regarding the ACLU lawsuit.
"Anybody can still make their request, but we'll hold off on considering them until the lawsuit is adjudicated," commission Chairman Trait Thompson said in a statement.
On its website, the Satanic Temple explains that it "seeks to separate Religion from Superstition by acknowledging religious belief as a metaphorical framework with which we construct a narrative context for our goals and works."
"Satan stands as the ultimate icon for the selfless revolt against tyranny, free & rational inquiry, and the responsible pursuit of happiness," the website says.
