Editing The Satanic Temple (section)

== Representation in the public sphere ==

=== Baphomet statue ===
{{Main|Statue of Baphomet}}

A monumental [[bronze sculpture]] depicting [[Baphomet]], a goat-headed, angel-winged [[occult]] idol, was [[Crowdfunding|crowdfunded]] in 2014 and unveiled in 2015. The statue has figured prominently in [[Ten Commandments#United States debate over display on public property|challenges about the display of the Ten Commandments]] at the capitols of Arkansas and Oklahoma.

=== Baphometic Bowl of Wisdom ===
{{Main|Baphometic Bowl of Wisdom}}

The sculpture, Baphometic Bowl of Wisdom, a Satanic monument intended to pay homage to veterans, was approved for installation on public grounds. Planned to be placed in a memorial park in [[Belle Plaine, Minnesota]], next to an established religious statue of a soldier kneeling at a cross. The monument faced opposition from local residents and external Christian groups.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mele |first=Christopher |date=2017-05-08 |title=Satanic Temple Sponsors a Veterans Memorial in a Minnesota Town |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/08/us/satanic-temple-sponsors-a-veterans-memorial-in-a-minnesota-town.html |access-date=2024-02-20 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Subsequently, the city retracted its permission for the installation just days before the scheduled event, leading to the removal of both the proposed statue and the existing religious sculpture.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Read |first=Katy |title=Satanic Temple sues Belle Plaine over withdrawn permission for monument |date=27 April 2019 |url=https://www.startribune.com/satanic-temple-sues-belle-plaine-over-withdrawn-permission-for-monument/509164882/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>

===Bladensburg Peace Cross Ceremony===
Following the [[American Legion v. American Humanist Association|Supreme Court's 2019 ruling]] that the [[Peace Cross|Bladensburg Cross]] does not conflict with the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]], since it honors veterans of all faiths, the Satanic Temple created a monument to honor Satanic veterans. Named the Bladensburg Satanic Peace Cross, TST held its first memorial ceremony on 10 July 2021. The Satanic Temple encouraged satanists to make a [[pilgrimage]] to [[Bladensburg, Maryland]], to pay tribute to their fallen veterans.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bladensburg Satanic Peace Cross Ceremony |url=https://thesatanictemple.com/pages/bladensburg |access-date=29 December 2022 |website=The Satanic Temple |ref=BSPC}}</ref>

===Holiday displays===
[[File:Leviathan Cross.svg|thumb|upright|A Leviathan cross]]
Chapters throughout the United States have erected various displays to appear adjacent to Christian [[Nativity scene]]s on public grounds.<ref name="InfernalUseOnlyDisplays">{{cite web |date=2018-12-03 |title=The Satanic Temple-Chicago Displays Holiday Monument In Illinois |url=https://www.patheos.com/blogs/infernal/2018/12/the-satanic-temple-chicago-displays-holiday-monument-at-illinois-state-capitol/ |access-date=2019-04-28 |website=For Infernal Use Only}}</ref> A display in the [[Florida State Capitol]] rotunda in 2014 featured an angel falling from the sky into a pit of flames,<ref name="FLAdisplay2014">{{cite news |first=Abby |last=Ohlheiser |date=2014-12-04 |title=The Florida capitol's holiday display will include a festive message from the Satanic Temple |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2014/12/04/the-florida-capitols-holiday-display-will-include-a-festive-message-from-the-satanic-temple/ |access-date=2019-04-28 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> which was vandalized and then modified as a result.<ref name="FLAdisplay2014Fixed">{{cite news |first=Abby |last=Ohlheiser |date=2014-12-24 |title=Here's how the Satanic Temple fixed its vandalized holiday display in the Florida capitol |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2014/12/24/heres-how-the-satanic-temple-fixed-its-vandalized-holiday-display-in-the-florida-capitol/ |access-date=2019-04-28 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> That same year a display at the [[Michigan State Capitol]] featured the message "The Greatest Gift is Knowledge" and a depiction of a snake wrapped around a black [[List of occult symbols|Leviathan cross]].<ref name="LansingDisplay2014">{{cite news |first=Abby |last=Ohlheiser |date=2014-12-16 |title=Michigan's state capitol will host a Satanic Temple display, but no nativity scene (for now) |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/12/16/michigans-state-capitol-will-host-a-satanic-temple-display-but-no-nativity-scene-for-now/ |access-date=2019-04-28 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref><ref name="Lansing2014NPR">{{cite web |date=2014-12-17 |title=Satanist And Christian Holiday Displays To Go Up At Michigan Capitol |first=Bill |last=Chappell |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/12/17/371503835/satanist-and-christian-holiday-displays-to-go-up-at-michigan-capitol |access-date=2019-04-28 |website=NPR.org}}</ref> Sponsored by the Detroit chapter, this "Snaketivity" display returned to Lansing capitol grounds in 2015,<ref name="Hinkley 2015">{{cite web |last=Hinkley |first=Justin A. |date=2015-12-02 |title=Satanic Temple to counter Ted Cruz nativity in Lansing |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/12/02/cruz-campaigns-nativity-lansing-spurs-snaketivity/76661818/ |access-date=2019-04-28 |website=[[Detroit Free Press]]}}</ref><ref name="Behnan 2015">{{cite web |last=Behnan |first=Christopher |date=2015-12-14 |title='Satanic ceremony' set for Capitol lawn |url=https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2015/12/14/satanic-ceremony-set-capitol-lawn/77282260/ |access-date=2019-04-28 |website=Lansing State Journal}}</ref> and again in 2016.<ref name="Hinkley 2016">{{cite web |last=Hinkley |first=Justin A. |date=2016-12-07 |title=Snaketivity, Nativity returning to Capitol |url=https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/capitol/2016/12/07/snaketivity-nativity-returning-capitol/95109902/ |access-date=2019-04-28 |website=Lansing State Journal}}</ref><ref name="Snaketivity2016">{{cite web |date=2016-12-08 |title=Snaketivity 2016 Press Release |url=https://thesatanictemplearizona.com/snaketivity-2016-press-release/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524055929/https://thesatanictemplearizona.com/snaketivity-2016-press-release/ |archive-date=May 24, 2020 |access-date=2019-04-28 |website=The Satanic Temple Arizona}}</ref>

The Chicago chapter updated "Snaketivity" as a sculpture for display in the [[Illinois State Capitol]] rotunda in 2018: with a [[Serpents in the Bible|serpent]] coiled around a woman's hand presenting an apple, and the message "Knowledge is the Greatest Gift" inscribed on the supporting pedestal;<ref name="SpringfieldDisplay2018NYT">{{cite web |first=Liam |last=Stack |date=2018-12-06 |title=Satan Is in the Illinois Capitol. Because It's the Holidays! |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/06/us/satan-statue-illinois-capitol.html |access-date=2019-04-28 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="SpringfieldDisplay2018NPR">{{cite web |date=2018-12-04 |title=Satanic Sculpture Installed at Illinois Statehouse, Just in Time for the Holidays |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/12/04/673422143/satanic-sculpture-installed-at-illinois-statehouse-just-in-time-for-the-holidays |first=Laurel |last=Wamsley |access-date=2019-04-28 |website=NPR.org}}</ref> the same sculpture returned in 2019.<ref name="Atheist 2019">{{cite web |date=2019-12-02 |title=Once Again, Satanic Temple "Snaketivity" Goes Up in Illinois State Capitol |url=https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/12/02/once-again-satanic-temple-snaketivity-goes-up-in-illinois-state-capitol/ |access-date=2019-12-03 |website=Friendly Atheist}}</ref><ref name="Finke2020">{{cite web |last=Finke |first=Doug |date=2020-11-30 |title=From Christmas trees to the Satanic Temple, no holiday displays at state Capitol in 2020 |url=https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/2020/11/30/illinois-capitol-cancels-holiday-displays-year/6443940002/ |access-date=2020-12-03 |website=JournalStar}}</ref> The West Michigan chapter installed a [[Yule goat]] outside their state's capitol on the 2019 [[winter solstice]].<ref name="YuleGoatFA">{{cite web |last=Mehta |first=Hemant |date=2019-12-23 |title=A Satanic "Yule Goat" Has Been Put Up Outside the Michigan State Capitol |url=https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/12/23/a-satanic-yule-goat-has-been-put-up-outside-the-michigan-state-capitol/ |access-date=2019-12-24 |website=Friendly Atheist}}</ref><ref name="Ware2019">{{cite web |last=Ware |first=Alexis |date=2019-12-21 |title=Satanic display returns to Capitol building |url=https://www.wilx.com/content/news/New-Satanic-display-at-the-Capitol-building-566408951.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224035919/https://www.wilx.com/content/news/New-Satanic-display-at-the-Capitol-building-566408951.html |archive-date=December 24, 2019 |access-date=2019-12-24 |website=Home}}</ref>

Following a [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|pandemic hiatus]] on holiday displays in their State Capitol, the Illinois congregation announced a new sculpture for the rotunda in celebration of [[Sol Invictus (holiday)|Sol Invictus]] 2021: Baphomet as a newborn baby.<ref name="Adams2021">{{cite web |last=Adams |first=Andrew |date=2021-12-18 |title=Satanic Temple to install Sol Invictus holiday display at state Capitol rotunda |url=https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/state/2021/12/18/satanic-temple-install-holiday-display-illinois-state-capitol/8952418002/ |access-date=2021-12-19 |website=State Journal-Register}}</ref> Local Catholic bishop [[Thomas Paprocki]] declined an invitation to attend the installation of the statue, which took place December 20.<ref name="Emerson2021">{{cite web |last=Emerson |first=Jakob |date=2021-12-20 |title=Satanic holiday display installed at Illinois Capitol |url=https://newschannel20.com/news/local/satanic-holiday-display-installed-at-illinois-capitol |access-date=2021-12-20 |website=WICS}}</ref><ref name="Greene2021">{{cite web |last=Greene |first=Heather |date=2021-12-21 |title=Catholic bishop criticizes Satanic Temple holiday display at Illinois Statehouse |url=https://religionnews.com/2021/12/21/catholic-bishop-criticizes-satanic-temple-holiday-display-at-illinois-statehouse/ |access-date=2021-12-22 |website=Religion News Service}}</ref> Illinois congregants returned to the rotunda in 2022 with a [[crochet]] display of apples and the [[Serpents in the Bible#Eden|serpent of Genesis]], paired with a [[On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres|book by Copernicus]] that had been [[Index Librorum Prohibitorum|banned by the Vatican for centuries]].<ref name="IL2022">{{cite web |last1=Connolly |first1=Danny |last2=Henke |first2=Cole |date=2022-12-07 |title=Satanic Temple adds 'Serpent of Genesis' to Capitol Rotunda holiday display |url=https://www.wcia.com/news/capitol-news/satanic-temple-adds-serpent-of-genesis-to-capitol-rotunda-holiday-display/ |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=WCIA.com}}</ref>

New displays were organized by local congregations in 2023, with a decorated tree at the [[National Railroad Museum]] in Wisconsin,<ref name="Bond 2023 b770">{{cite web |last=Bond |first=Paul |date=2023-11-29 |title=Congressman at odds with Wisconsin museum over Satan-themed Christmas Tree |access-date=29 June 2024 |url=https://www.newsweek.com/congressman-odds-wisconsin-museum-satan-themed-christmas-tree-1848165 |website=Newsweek}}</ref> as well as a mirror-covered, red-cloaked Baphomet statue at the [[Iowa State Capitol]].<ref name="Bowman2023">{{cite web |last=Bowman |first=Beau |date=2023-12-07 |title=Satanic Temple display inside Iowa State Capitol building |url=https://www.kcci.com/article/des-moines-satanic-temple-display-inside-iowa-state-capitol-building/46057210 |website=KCCI}}</ref><ref name="Slisco2023">{{cite web |last=Slisco |first=Aila |date=2023-12-12 |title=Republican governor asks for prayers over Satanic Temple display |url=https://www.newsweek.com/republican-governor-asks-prayers-over-satanic-temple-display-1851793 |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=Newsweek}}</ref> After the Iowa display was vandalized, organizers salvaged some remaining altar elements.<ref name="Sabes2023">{{cite web |last=Sabes |first=Adam |date=2023-12-14 |title=Satanic display inside Iowa State Capitol destroyed, man charged: officials |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/satanic-display-inside-iowa-state-capitol-destroyed-man-charged-officials |access-date=2023-12-15 |publisher=Fox News}}</ref><ref name="Mehta2023">{{cite web |last=Mehta |first=Hemant |date=2023-12-14 |orig-date=2023-12-13 |title=Update: Conservatives can't handle The Satanic Temple's harmless display in Iowa's Capitol |url=https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/conservatives-cant-handle-the-satanic |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=Friendly Atheist}}</ref><ref name="McfetridgeSalter">{{cite news |last1=Mcfetridge |first1=Scott |last2=Salter |first2=Jim |date=2023-12-15 |title=Former Mississippi House candidate charged after Satanic Temple display is destroyed at Iowa Capitol |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2023/12/15/satanic-temple-display-vandalized-iowa-capitol/998439d4-9b70-11ee-82d9-be1b5ea041ab_story.html |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> A former Republican Congressional candidate from Mississippi was charged with a felony and violation of "individual rights" under Iowa's [[Hate crime laws in the United States|hate crime law]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dallas |first=Kelsey |date=2024-02-01 |title=An attack on a satanic statue in Iowa has led to a hate crime charge |url=https://www.deseret.com/faith/2024/2/1/24058074/michael-cassidy-iowa-satanic-display-hate-crime |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=William |date=2024-01-30 |title=Suspect accused of destroying Satanic display at Iowa Capitol charged with hate crime |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2024/01/30/iowa-capitol-satanic-statue-vandalism-hate-crime-michael-cassidy-mississippi/72413585007/ |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=The Des Moines Register |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="APnews2024may24">{{cite web | title=Mississippi man accused of destroying statue of pagan idol at Iowa state Capitol takes plea deal | website=AP News | date=2024-05-24 | url=https://apnews.com/article/satanic-temple-hate-crime-iowa-1e56fb00dbe3a45f3efac6dcaa0c4147 }}</ref>

An installation in front of the [[New Hampshire State House]] was vandalized and restored multiple times in December 2024.<ref name="Aitken2024">{{cite web | last=Aitken | first=Madeleine | title=The Satanic Temple holiday display restored after being destroyed — again | website=Boston.com | date=2024-12-23 | url=https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2024/12/23/the-satanic-temple-holiday-display-restored-after-being-destroyed-again/ | access-date=2024-12-26}}</ref>

===Scottsdale, Arizona invocation challenge===
[[Scottsdale, Arizona|Scottsdale]] City Council denied a 2016 request from the Satanic Temple's Arizona chapter to give an invocation at the Council meeting; denial was based on the grounds that only groups with "substantial connections to the community" are allowed (the pastor of First Southern Baptist Church of Scottsdale was selected instead). The Satanic Temple maintains there was never any "local community" question during the application process.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mendoza |first1=Angel |title=Satanists sue Scottsdale, allege religious discrimination |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/scottsdale/2018/02/26/satanists-sue-scottsdale-allege-religious-discrimination/373610002/ |access-date=17 July 2019 |date=26 February 2018 |website=[[The Arizona Republic]] }}</ref> The Arizona chapter's co-founder Michelle Shortt filed suit against the city, saying they had "no written policy regarding prayer and only reversed its decision after backlash from the community and city officials."<ref>{{cite web |last2=Longhi |first2=Lorraine |date=12 July 2019 |first1=Jen |last1=Fifield |title=Scottsdale faces off against Satanists in court over right to give invocation at public meetings |url=https://azcentral.com/story/news/local/surprise/2019/07/12/satanists-take-scottsdale-court-another-arizona-city-surprise-starts-praying/1683910001/ |access-date=17 July 2019 |website=[[The Arizona Republic]] }}</ref> The City Council unanimously approved additional funds to litigate a January 2020 federal court trial in Phoenix.<ref name="Scottsdale2019dec01">{{cite web |date=2019-12-01 |title=Scottsdale (AZ) Officials Want $130,000 More to Fight Satanists Over Invocations |url=https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/12/01/scottsdale-az-officials-want-130000-more-to-fight-satanists-over-invocations/ |access-date=2019-12-03 |website=Friendly Atheist}}</ref><ref name="ScottsdaleApproves130K">{{cite web |last=Webb |first=Brian |date=2019-12-04 |title=City of Scottsdale approves additional funds for legal defense in lawsuit against Satanic Temple |url=https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/city-of-scottsdale-approves-additional-funds-for-legal-defense-in-lawsuit-against-satanic-temple |access-date=2019-12-05 |website=FOX 10 Phoenix}}</ref> The Satanic Temple has appealed the judge's ruling.<ref name="USNWR2020feb29">{{cite web |date=2020-02-29 |title=Satanists Appeal Ruling Against Right to Give Invocation - Arizona News |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/arizona/articles/2020-02-29/satanists-appeal-ruling-against-right-to-give-invocation |access-date=2020-03-20 |website=U.S. News & World Report}}</ref>