A news release says the Satanic Temple has formally petitioned the Arkansas Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission for permission to place a “Baphomet” monument next to the planned Ten Commandments monument decreed by the legislature. (They dishonestly said it was about history, rather than religion.)

The Satanic Temple says its statute of a goat-headed idol is intended as a memorial to “various historical witch hunts and homage to the persecuted free-thinkers and “heretics” who helped inform American secular jurisprudence.”

Atheists, Hindus and vegans have also expressed a desire for monuments on the Capitol grounds if they are open to a religious-themed monument. Republican officials, from the governor and secretary of state on down, have not been warm to the idea.

The Satanic Temple proposed the statute for Oklahoma, but said it was no longer necessary after the Oklahoma Supreme Court said the Ten Commandments monument there was unconstitutional.


The news release follows:

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