Detroit is soon to become the new home for a 8 ½ foot tall statue that depicts Satan with a goat head, horns, hooves, and wings while he holds up two fingers. Also included are statues of two children who look up at Satan with awestruck poses. The disturbing image has caused some religious leadership and community members to step out in opposition to its placement in the city. Other leaders, such as Bishop Charles Ellis, have taken another viewpoint.
Ellis says that the statue is none of his concern considering that America “was built on freedom of speech and freedom of religion.”
“If we ask others to be tolerant of our religion, we are going to be asked to be tolerant of their religion as well,” Ellis said.
“Tolerable does not mean you have to practice what they practice or that you are condoning what they are practicing. I’m not saying I’m being accepting. I’m just saying I have no control over that,” the Preachers of Detroit star added.
David Bullock, Ellis’ reality television costar, believes that it is the duty of a Christian to protest the image of evil in his city. He is calling on other Christians to join him in protest of the statue on the day of its unveiling.
“The last thing we need—in a city where we’re fighting against violence and fighting against economic problems and unemployment and the water crisis—is a statue dedicated to Satan right downtown,” Bullock said.
“They’re bringing a Baphomet statue to the city of Detroit valorising, elevating Satan. This is not even a real religion in my estimation,” Bullock added.
Lucian Greaves, the co-founder of The Satanic Temple, says that his organization has received threats over the monument to Satan and does not plan to release the location of the unveiling until the day that it will take place.
“Tickets are going to be pre-ordered to cut down on harassment … people threatening to burn the venue down,” Greaves said. “We’ve gotten those kinds of messages.”
“If people don’t want to come, they don’t need to come,” he added.
“The statue will serve as a beacon calling for compassion and empathy among all living creatures. 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,” Doug Mesner, the spokesperson for the nearly 200 Satanic Temple members, said.
Source
Source
