In December 2024, a holiday display by The Satanic Temple, positioned near a traditional Nativity scene in Concord, New Hampshire, was destroyed shortly after its installation. This incident has sparked discussions on religious expression, vandalism, and the complexities of public religious displays.
The Satanic Temple, headquartered in Salem, Massachusetts, is known for advocating religious pluralism and the separation of church and state. In early December 2024, they installed a statue of Baphomet—a goat-headed figure associated with occult symbolism—on Concord’s City Plaza, adjacent to a Nativity scene traditionally set up by the Knights of Columbus. The statue featured symbolic elements: lilacs, New Hampshire’s state flower, in one hand, and an apple in the other, representing the pursuit of knowledge and defiance against arbitrary authority. A tablet at the base displayed The Satanic Temple’s seven tenets, emphasizing values like compassion, empathy, and personal autonomy.
State Representative Ellen Read, a Democrat from Newmarket and a self described member of The Satanic Temple, initiated the idea for the display. She contacted The Satanic Temple to promote religious diversity and uphold the First Amendment’s principle of government neutrality in religious matters. Read stated, “The people who believe in The Satanic Temple deeply believe in these tenets.”
The display faced immediate backlash. Shortly after its unveiling on December 7, 2024, it was vandalized multiple times. By December 10, the statue was found in pieces, with the marble base cracked. Symbols such as a Santa hat and a cross were left at the scene, indicating possible motives behind the vandalism. The remnants were subsequently removed.
The City of Concord had issued a permit for the display, citing First Amendment obligations and the desire to avoid litigation. Mayor Byron Champlin expressed his opposition, stating, “I opposed the permit because I believe the request was made not in the interest of promoting religious equity but in order to drive an anti-religious political agenda.”
The incident elicited mixed reactions. Some community members viewed the display as a legitimate expression of religious freedom, while others saw it as a provocative act. The subsequent vandalism further polarized opinions, raising concerns about tolerance and the protection of diverse beliefs.
This event underscores the challenges in balancing freedom of expression with community sentiments. It highlights the complexities municipalities face when accommodating diverse religious expressions in public spaces, especially during culturally significant times like the Christmas season.
The destruction of The Satanic Temple’s display in Concord serves as a focal point for ongoing debates about religious freedom and freedom of expression in public spaces. It prompts reflection on how communities can navigate differing beliefs while upholding constitutional principles.
