New Hampshire Dem calls for Satanic Temple's nativity display to be replaced.

Democratic state Rep. Ellen Read believes that the satanic "nativity" display, which was destroyed after vandalism incidents, should be allowed to be erected again on Concord city property near the New Hampshire State Capitol.

According to the Catholic News Agency, Read stated that while he believes the vandalism and hatefulness should not be ignored, it is ultimately up to them to decide whether or not to respond.

The outlet reported that the woman who suggested the Christmas display at the public park was a member of The Satanic Temple (TST) and argued that a Catholic group's nativity scene of Jesus should not be the only decoration there. Despite significant opposition from local officials, she proposed the idea of a statue of Baphomet as the display. However, she clarified that she did not participate in any TST meetings or events.

TST's mission is to promote benevolence and empathy, reject tyrannical authority, advocate for practical common sense, oppose injustice, and undertake noble pursuits, as stated on its website.

The website states that we have publicly confronted hate groups, fought for the abolition of corporal punishment in public schools, applied for equal representation when religious installations are placed on public property, provided religious exemption and legal protection against laws that unscientifically restrict people's reproductive autonomy, exposed harmful pseudo-scientific practitioners in mental health care, organized clubs alongside other religious after-school clubs in schools besieged by proselytizing organizations, and engaged in other advocacy in accordance with our tenets.

Despite the mayor's earlier statement that he wished the city had not approved it, the Concord City Council granted the organization a permit to display the content, avoiding a potential legal dispute over the First Amendment.

"Concord Mayor Byron Champlin stated during the council's meeting last Monday that he opposed the permit for the Satanic Temple's display because he believed the request was not in the interest of promoting religious equity but rather an attempt to drive an anti-religious political agenda. He also expressed that he does not respond well to legal extortion, the threat of litigation. Some on social media have celebrated the Satanic Temple's display as a victory for religious pluralism and a reflection of our growing diversity as a community. However, Mayor Champlin disagrees with this viewpoint, stating that this is about an out-of-state organization cynically promoting its national agenda at the expense of the Concord community."

The city was compelled to permit TST's statue due to the First Amendment and the possibility of a lawsuit, which meant banning all holiday displays was not an option.

"The City has decided to continue its policy of allowing unattended displays at City Plaza during the holiday season and to allow the statue. The City Council will review whether to permit unattended holiday displays at City Plaza next year."

The mayor was rebuked in an interview with the Catholic news outlet this week, stating that his inability to comprehend the significance of this community and its beliefs is due to his narrow-mindedness.

On Monday, two TST representatives publicly unveiled a statue in a Facebook video. One spokesperson recounted the organization's fundamental principles before shouting, "Hail Satan!" and displaying the statue.

The investigation into the vandalism of TST's property is ongoing, according to Concord Deputy Police Chief John Thomas.

In recent years, TST has put up holiday displays near city or state properties, frequently alongside traditional Christian exhibits. In 2022, the Illinois chapter of TST installed a holiday display in the state Capitol rotunda, featuring a crocheted serpent atop a book and a pile of apples. In December 2023, the Iowa TST chapter set up a Baphomet statue at the state Capitol, which was vandalized shortly after its placement.