While the mayor and others have criticized the display as intentionally provocative, proponents contend they aim to promote rational thought, not denigrate Christianity.

Only the legs of the black mannequin remained upright, while the strewn head and torso were damaged. The entire display was removed Tuesday. The post Satanist holiday display near New Hampshire Nativity scene destroyed after apparent vandalism appeared first on Boston.

A dark, horned figure with a goat’s head stands in front of the New Hampshire State House. It’s a holiday display installed by The Satanic Temple — near the city of Concord’s Nativity scene, according to the city’s Dec. 7 Facebook post.

City officials said they had to decide “whether to ban all holiday displays” and opted instead to grant a permit for the Satanic display “to avoid litigation.”

New Hampshire's state capitol was forced to allow a Satanic "holiday display" under the threat of a free speech lawsuit before vandals tore it down.

The Satanic Temple continues its annual holiday tradition of erecting satanic displays near Nativity scenes on government property by unveiling a statue of the demon Baphomet on the grounds of the

Concord said “to avoid litigation,” they had to choose between banning all holiday displays installed or allowing the Satanist's monument.

The city of Concord calls the decision to allow the Satanic Temple’s statue to go up a ‘show of unity and religious pluralism.’