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

Concord police are investigating two vandalism incidents to a permitted statue placed Saturday near the nativity scene on city property in front of the State House by the Satanic Temple Congregation for New Hampshire and Vermont.

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

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.”

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.

"Just because we're not large in number, doesn't mean our beliefs are less important than any of the other religions represented here," The Satanic Temple Minister Vivian Kelly said.

Police in Concord are investigating after someone vandalized a Satanic Temple holiday display at the State House.

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

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 Salem, Massachusetts-based Satanic Temple installed the display at the Concord City Hall Plaza across from the State House,