Satanic temple unveils statue of goat god 'Baphomet' outside US government building

Statue of goat Baphomet god. Dozens attended a rally held by the Satanic Temple at the Arkansas State Capitol on Thursday. [Photo: Courtesy]

Satanic worshippers have celebrated the unveiling of a demonic statue of a goat-headed creature with wings outside a government building in the US.

Members of the Satanic Temple brought the eight-and-a-half ft tall carving of Baphomet, an occult goat-man hybrid, to the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol building in Little Rock yesterday.

The winged monster sits on a throne emblazoned with a pentagram.

Alongside a child gazes adoringly up at the man with the goat head.

The striking statue was part of a rally outside the state's seat of government in protest at a Ten Commandments monument already installed in the grounds.

It has now been taken away but the Satanic Temple have filed a lawsuit to have its reinstated in the name of religious pluralism and the First Amendment, KATV news reports.

The rally comes after the Arkansas legislature approved the placement of a Ten Commandments monument on the Capitol grounds. [Photo: Courtesy]

The display prompted counter-protests from Christian activists.

The Satanic Church, who have chapters across the globe that campaign for religious freedom, claim they wrote to state legislators in to ask the Baphomet statue be allowed.

The rally comes after the Arkansas legislature approved the placement of a Ten Commandments monument on the Capitol grounds. [Photo: Courtesy]

Speaking at the rally Lucien Greaves, spokesman and co-founder of the Satanic Temple said: “The event is intended to be an inclusive gathering where The Satanic Temple will be celebrating pluralism along with Christian and secular speakers.

"People of many faiths will come together at the Capitol to reject the Arkansas State Legislature's efforts to privilege one religion over others."

The Ten Commandments monument was first put up last year after a bill sponsored by Republican Senator Jason Rapert was passed, according to the Independent .

The rally comes after the Arkansas legislature approved the placement of a Ten Commandments monument on the Capitol grounds. [Photo: Courtesy]

Mr Rapert issued a statement on Facebook saying: "No matter what these extremists may claim, it will be a very cold day in hell before an offensive statue will be forced upon us to be permanently erected on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol.

"Our rights to build a monument were exercised through the electoral and legislative processes and have been upheld by the judicial system.

"They are no less sacred than the freedoms of a shrill few, for whom legal and political rights are merely methods to fleece the gullible and entertain the cynical.

"Due process was followed to the letter of the law when the Secretary of State and the Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission held a series of open and public meetings to gather input on the placing of the Ten Commandments monument."

Facts about Satanists

• The Satanic Temple bill themselves as a 'religion-type group' who are also political activists and advocates working to promote egalitarianism, social justice, and separation of church and state.
• The group say they don't believe in Satan but use the term to represent an "eternal rebel" who is outside authority and social rules and stands for rationality.
• The group have chapters all over the world - the largest of which is on Detroit, Michigan.
• In May 2014 a black mass was held by a chapter at Harvard University although it had to be relocated off campus due to Catholic opposition.
• The group have campaigned against abortion restrictions, welcomed refugees and even run a after school Satan programme in schools.
• The Santanic Temple bill themselves as a 'religion-type group' who are also political activists and advocates working to promote egalitarianism, social justice, and separation of church and state.
• The group say they don't believe in Satan but use the term to represent an "eternal rebel" who is outside authority and social rules and stands for rationality.
• The group have chapters all over the world - the largest of which is on Detroit, Michigan.
• In May 2014 a black mass was held by a chapter at Harvard University although it had to be relocated off campus due to Catholic opposition.
• The group have campaigned against abortion restrictions, welcomed refugees andeven run a after school Satan programme in schools.