A satanic statue placed near a Nativity scene outside the New Hampshire State House was vandalized and destroyed in under 48 hours, sparking outrage and initiating a police probe.

In Concord, New Hampshire, the recent vandalism of a satanic statue erected by The Satanic Temple has ignited debates about religious freedoms and tolerance, the Christian Post reported.

Last Saturday, The Satanic Temple installed a statue depicting the demon Baphomet near a traditional Nativity scene at the New Hampshire State House. The installation featured Baphomet adorned in black, with glowing eyes and holding purple lilacs, New Hampshire's state flower.

Adding to the statue's controversial imagery, Baphomet was shown wearing a purple stole marked with an inverted pentagram, symbols of The Satanic Temple, and inverted crosses. A tablet highlighting the Temple's seven tenets was positioned at the base of the statue, complemented by a black and white satanic flag.

The artwork was publicly unveiled by Orpheus Gaur, a minister from The Satanic Temple's New Hampshire and Vermont congregation. Gaur, commenting during the unveiling, explained the symbolism of the apple in Baphomet's hand, linking it to a quest for knowledge and opposition to arbitrary authority.

Quick Destruction Raises Questions About Religious Intolerance

However, the statue's presence was short-lived. By Monday night, it had been destroyed. Found at the scene were a Santa hat, a cross, and a Christmas ornament, hinting at the possible motivations behind the act.

Concord Deputy Police Chief John Thomas expressed disappointment over the incident, emphasizing Santa's universal love in an attempt to refute any benign justifications for the vandalism. The police's investigation into the matter remains ongoing.

At the core of the permitting process was a desire to avoid legal complications. City officials, including Mayor Byron Champlin, initially opposed the permit, suggesting the application was more about promoting an anti-religious agenda than advocating for religious equality. Champlin admitted his preference was to decline the permit despite the potential for litigation.

Community Leaders React to Vandalism

State Representative Ellen Read, who supported the statue's installation, lamented the intolerance shown towards The Satanic Temple's expression of beliefs. Her sentiments underscored the conflict between the group's rights and the community's acceptance.

Lucien Greaves, co-founder of The Satanic Temple, commented broadly on the pattern of opposition the Temple faces, from property attacks to social media threats. Greaves emphasized the demonstration of religious freedom and its defense as critical in contemporary society.

In contrast, voices opposed to The Satanic Temple's display reference broader national values. Michael Cassidy, a former Mississippi House candidate involved in a related incident, argued that recognizing Satan in any form contradicts foundational American principles and complicates the nation's religious narrative.

Vandalism Part of Wider Pattern of Controversy

This isn't the first instance of controversy surrounding satanic displays in the U.S. Similarly, last year, there was an incident at the Iowa State Capitol involving a satanic display which led to legal repercussions for those involved, highlighting the ongoing tension surrounding such religious expressions.

The recent act of vandalism in New Hampshire raises significant questions about the limits of religious expression and the societal challenges of accommodating diverse beliefs within public spaces. The discussion extends beyond mere legal rights, touching on deeper ethical and cultural facets of American society.

The outcome of the investigation and the broader community's response may set precedents for how such situations are handled in the future, potentially influencing both legal and societal standards on religious freedom and public expression.