It's been making the 'wacky' news rounds for months - surely you've seen it posted on Facebook - a New York Satanic group wants to erect a statue at the Oklahoma state capitol, famous for having a memorial to the Ten Commandments. I wrote about these guys, and their press-savvy leader Lucien Greaves, last year when they were adopting a highway in New York (check out that article for insight into their brand of Satanism). The Satanic statue is their biggest stunt yet, and it's their best. It got better this week, as they've formally submitted and revealed the design they want to use, a 7-foot tall statue of a seated Baphomet with happy children at his side.
"The monument has been designed to reflect the views of Satanists in Oklahoma City and beyond," temple spokesman Lucien Greaves said in a statement. "The statue will also have a functional purpose as a chair where people of all ages may sit on the lap of Satan for inspiration and contemplation."
I will travel to Oklahoma to sit in Satan's lap. No question.
The group has raised half of the $20,000 they need to make the statue a reality. Of course even if they raise the money it's unclear if the statue will get placed; after the Ten Commandments monument (which was paid for with private money) was placed on state grounds the ACLU immediately sued and the state is holding off on taking new statue applicants until the suit is adjudicated. The Satanists are one of a number of groups who want to represent their faith at the capitol, including a Hindu leader and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
There are ten days left to fund this statue. Click here to make it happen.