Detroit’s newest statue is a nine-foot-tall, 2,000-pound bronze monument described as “Satanic,” and some Christians in and around The Motor City have taken exception to the statue’s presence in their city, Fox News is reporting .
The Detroit Satanic statue now resides at an “ undisclosed location ,” described only as “an industrial building near the Detroit River” by The Christian Science Monitor . The original host of the statue pulled out at the last minute, but it was just as well; according to Jex Blackmore, spokesperson for The Satanic Temple (the group that commissioned the statue) said that protesters showed up at the original location, with a view toward preventing its unveiling.
“Protesters arrived for a short time at our first ticketing location, but retreated after only about 30 minutes. One woman attempted to block the event entrance and was removed by the police in cooperation with the building’s owner.”
Inside the building that now houses the statue, a party raged at the unveiling. About 700 attendees were present as Satanic Temple officials gave speeches, punk bands and DJ’s played beneath a lighted, upside-down cross, and two shirtless men held vigil with candles on either side of the statue.
So why did The Satanic Temple feel the need to install a statue of Satan (actually, Baphomet , but let’s not quibble over theology) in Detroit in the first place? Originally, the Satanic statue was going to be placed near a monument to the Ten Commandments on the grounds of the Oklahoma State Capitol building. The point, says the group, is that if the government is going to allow displays of one religion (that is, Christianity) on government property – in violation of the First Amendment’s prohibition of government endorsing a religion – then the government must allow displays of all religions.
To be fair, the Satanic Temple insists that their movement isn’t about religion. Rather, Satan merely represents rebellion against authority.
“[Satan is] a symbol of man’s inherent nature, representative of the eternal rebel, enlightened inquiry and personal freedom rather than a supernatural deity or being.”
Plans for placing the Satanic statue in Oklahoma fell through, and the Satanic Temple decided Detroit will have to do, for the time being. Why Detroit? As Blackmore tells Metro Times , the Satanic Temple is thriving in Motown .
“We have a really strong local chapter that is really active and involved and helpful… We have a lot of support here.”
Detroit may not be the home of the Satanic statue for long, however: the Temple now has its eyes on Arkansas, where the governor has recently signed legislation that authorizes a monument to the Ten Commandments on the Capitol grounds.
Do you think the Detroit Satanic statue is offensive?
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