Fact check: Posts call for removal of satanic statues in cities where there aren't any

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The claim: There are satanic and Baphomet sculptures located in several U.S. cities.

In response to the removal of several monuments across the country representing Confederate leaders and other controversial historical figures, some Facebook users have begun circulating posts calling for the tearing down of satanic statues across the United States.

The wording of the posts specifically names statues of Baphomet, a winged, goat-headed figure that's used as a symbol by the Salem, Massachusetts-based Satanic Temple.

"Since we are removing offensive statues and monuments in America, I want all the satanic and Baphomet statues and monuments removed!" the posts say. "They are very offensive to me!"

The posts name several locations where such statues are allegedly located: Salem, Massachusetts; Detroit; Sabrina, New York; and the state of Illinois. The posts includes a photo of a Baphomet statue that the post says was used at the Arkansas Capitol building.

Is this statue real?

The photo in the posts matches a 2018 photo used in media reports when the Satanic Temple unveiled the statue in front of the Arkansas State Capitol to protest a separate monument of the Ten Commandments that was previously installed on the capitol grounds.

However, the event was temporary and the statue was not allowed to be erected on Capitol grounds.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/fact-check-posts-call-removal-222101193.html

[matt819]

1. With the SCOTUS ruling. . .

I can see every religion - mainstream or not, Satanic or not - applying for government funding, tax credits, etc., etc.

Pandora.

Box.

[Aristus]

2. At least Baphomet didn't kill Federal soldiers during the Civil War.

n/t

[LiberalFighter]

3. How about the one in Trump's suite at Trump Tower?

[scarletwoman]

4. Well, since there aren't any such statues in any public spaces, the call to remove them will

no doubt fade away fairly quickly.

[Midnightwalk]

5. What a dumb controversy. Remove all religious symbols

The only reason there was any talk about satanic statues was in response to christians insisting on using public land and funds to celebrate their religion.

I’m 100 percent for removing all religious symbols and funding from public areas. Tax the hell out of them as well as they have largely become a propaganda organ of the republican party.

[Betty88]

6. Looks like a prop from

some teen vampire, witchy, cable tv show. I just can't remember which one.

[SoCalNative]

7. Republicans and other right-wing nutjobs are very offensive to me

can we please have all of them removed from the US immediately?

[keithbvadu2]

8. Some evangelical churches will keep theirs... Freedom of religion don'cha know?

Some evangelical churches will keep theirs... Freedom of religion don'cha know?