Religious Pluralism: The Devil's in the Details

In January of this year, a group known as The Satanic Temple announced plans to erect a 7-foot-tall statue depicting an occult diety ("Baphomet") at the Oklahoma City State Capitol. The group commissioned the statue for $20,000, which was funded via donations by supporters; this effort is in response to an infamous 6-foot-tall Ten Commandments monument, which before an act of vandalism on Friday of last week, stood on the Capitol grounds for the past two years.

State representative and ordained Southern Baptist Deacon Mike Ritze donated The Ten Commandments statue to the Capitol in 2009, which was later placed on display in 2012.

Despite opposition from various faith groups and an ACLU lawsuit, the statue has remained due to a loophole which allows donated religious articles to be displayed on government property. Since the Ten Commandments monument went on display, several religious groups have petitioned to place their own memorials, in and around the capitol's grounds. As the Satanic group predicted, capitol officials have not exactly rolled out the red carpet for their proposed monument.

The Satanic Temple's aim is to highlight the hypocrisy of Oklahoma state officials and spotlight the favoritism of Judeo-Christianity over alternative and unpopular belief systems. They've submitted a formal application in regards to the placement of the statue to the state’s Capitol Preservation Commission, which placed a moratorium on the project until the ACLU's last appeal is settled in the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Realizing that a court victory for the ACLU may also prevent The Satanic Temple's monument from being displayed, the Temple's spokesman, Lucien Greaves, is fully prepared to take his fight (and statue) elsewhere.

While the ACLU seeks to assure neutrality on government property, Lucien's mission leans more towards inclusivity. If one religious monument enjoys the right to exist at the state capitol, why not another?

It's a slippery slope, however. Today it's Baphomet and the Ten Commandments, tomorrow it's Shiva, the Spaghetti Monster or Festivus poles. Despite the imminent pissing contest this may very well snowball into, I objectively recognize and wholeheartedly agree with the messages this endeavor inadvertenty sends: 1) if deemed absolutely necessary by either side, (legally) both monuments should have the right to coexist; 2) neither monument really contributes anything of value in a government setting. Personally, if I had a $20,000 statue of an esoteric diety, Oklahoma City would be one of the last places I'd consider placing it. But, to each their own.

The proposed Baphomet statue is reportedly still in its maquette stage and has yet to be completed. The design is said to consist of a clay mold, which will then be plated in bronze. The statue will be a slightly altered version of the traditional image of the diety seen throughout the last 160 years. The hybrid beast will be sitting on a throne with two small children on either side, gazing up at the horned figure's face. The statue will first and foremost serve as a political statement, but the design is also that of an interactive tourist attraction: people will be able to sit on the lap of Baphomet, for a bit of contimplation...or maybe just to snap a playful picture for their Facebook page. 

As with anything which is misunderstood and vilified over a period of time, falsehoods and misinformation begin to cement themselves in popular opinion, which in turn has the tendency to become erroneously accepted as fact.Most people who are too lazy or too isolated in the comfort of their tiny bubbles of ignorance are inclined to believe the most outlandish claims, with little to no evidence to prove their theories or justify their prejudices. The only way to dispel ignorance is the utilization of education and unbiased presentation. Fearmongering and hell-fire scenerios have built lavish empires for conmen the world over: for every affluent megachurch fat cat who jet sets and luxuriates about like royalty, there are thousands of intellectually challenged followers who are all the worse for it. 

To better understand an alternative belief system, one must familiarize themselves with the etymology of its respective names and terms, along with the symbolic meanings behind its imagery. A history of it's orgins as well as it's prospective mission is also required. 

Who is the diety known as Baphomet, and what does this being stand for?

The symbology of various goat/ram-headed dieties is peppered throughout history.

As far as 15,000 B.C., the Sumerian diety Enki was associated with the constellation Capricornus (or Capricorn). Believed to take the image of a goat while roaming the Earth, he was refered to as a champion of intellect, "Lord of the Sacred Eye", protector of his people and the bringing and giver of knowledge to humanity.

Circa 3000-2000 B.C., in the ancient Egyptian city of Mendes, goats and rams, who were believed to represent the most basic carnal urges were often venerated and utilized in fertility rites or other rituals; tributes were made to dieties such as Banebdjedet ("Ba of the Lord of Mendes") and at times were depicted as supernatural hybrid beings. Much later in Greek mythology, Pan, the syrinx (pipe) playing satyr-god of song, lust and the embodiment of all things epicurean was depicted as having goat's hooves, horns and/or goats head. 

In 14th century France, members of the Knights Templar fell victim to the very religious tyranny they once upheld, as the corrupt King Philip and fellow cohort Pope Clement V sought to plunder the group's wealth. Inquisitions were held and the Knights were scapegoated (pun intended) as closeted worshippers of a goat-headed figure similar to Baphomet's likeness; they were subsequently persecuted and extorted under threats of torture or death.

In the year 1856, a book entitled Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie ("Dogmas and Rituals of High Magic"), written by 19th century French occultist and Transcendental Magician, Eliphas Levi, featured the widely recognized, popular depiction of Baphomet is known as The Baphomet Of Mendes. The term "Baphomet" is derived from the Greek words "baphe" and "metis", meaning "absorption of knowledge", and was constructed with nods to Tarot imagery and that of the ancient Egyptian diety Ptha or the "Sabbat Goat", who was revered as the god of magic, widsom and fertility.

Levi's image depicts an androgynous, winged, human figure with a goat's head. The pentagram, the blazing star of ominpotence and power is affixed upon the forehead an illuminated torch burns above and between the horns, as a symbol of enlightenment.

Inscribed on the right arm is the word "solve" (dissolve), on the left is the word "coagula" (coagulate), referring to the alchemical motto solve et colagula -- the analyzing of substances into components before synthesizing the desirable elements into a new. The connotation of this maxim suggests that in life, one must project and move, then concentrate and fix.

The right arm is extended upward, the left downward; this is in relation to the Hermetic "as above, so below" belief that all things are interconnected, that the microcosm (self) and macrocosm (universe) exist within each other, and an understanding of one will ultimately lead to the understanding of the other.

The opposing moons on either side of the illustration symbolize concepts which are derived from the Kabbalistic tree of life and represent two aspects of altruism: Chesed (kindness given to others) and Geburah (the restraint of one’s urge to bestow goodness upon the unworthy). The object which has become visually associated with healthcare sits on Baphomet's lap; Hermes’ Caduceus, a representation of the serpentine power utilized in metatative practices such as Yoga and transcendental meditation in the activation of the chakras. The image of Baphomet as a whole, is a tribute to self realization, will power and the conquest of one's intellectual capabilities and future. 

Baphomet, in of itself has absolutely nothing rooted in the doom and gloom, Hollywoodesque imagery of blood-thirsty cults or "evil" for the sake of pissing off Christians. In fact, everything which comprises the image is a nod to very admirable attributes of other belief systems and philosophies.

Baphomet is an homage to human potential and the triumph of individual will, and (IMO) would make an odd companion to the wrathful Christian disciplinarian's laundry list of behavioral contraints in front of the Oklahoma capitol. Baphomet speaks to the heart of the wild stallion, rather than preying on the fears of the trembling pack mule. Baphomet is an symbol of inspiration, rather than subjugation.

One hundred and ten years after Levi's Baphomet, in 1966 Anton Lavey, a musician and former carnival animal trainer, sparked the movement of what today is often referred to as "Modern Satanism" -- not to be confused with the role-playing asininity of "devil worship".

Lavey contimplated the hypocritical, herd-like majority, who appeared to revel in the glory of arrested development and privileged lies; self-deceit appeared to be the prime mover. Modern society was full of ... "it", and Lavey was prepared to administer a much needed enema.

He outlined and summarized concepts such as rational self-interest, the celebration of man's carnality, unfettered reasoning, justice and individualism in The Satanic Bible. Within the book, the reader gets one of two reactions: the quintessential "ah-ha" realization of an innate philosophy they've always believed in, or an immediate aversion to something they either can not comprehend, or simply and conveniently do not want to.

If the prospective reader picked up Lavey's book in hopes of indulging in an abyss of human/animal sacrifice and a consuming obsession with death and gore; they'd do better for themselves seeking out a King James Holy Bible.

An entertainer to the core, Lavey knew the value of playing to his audience and detractors alike; he recognized the strength and influence of symbology and utility of melodramatic presentation. The metaphorical use of the "S-word" as well as the tongue-in-cheek "rituals" and dark theatrics within Lavey's brand of philosophy would not only keep things interesting, but serve as surefire BS filters to repel those who a Satanist simply wouldn't want to associate with in the first place.

Eblazoned on the cover of The Satanic Bible -- the head of Baphomet situated within an inverted pentagram glares at the observer. Friend or foe? Only you can decide.

The greater issue at hand is not who's statue is bigger, more relevant or particularly necessary for that matter. This entire charade is the backlash of the incessant push from the fanatical Religious Right and Christian revisionists who cannot find it within themselves to play nice with others.

Fact: we live in a nation of multiculturalism and religious pluralism; the country's founders would staunchly reject the notion of the United States being "a Christian nation", commandeered by theocratic rule.

No matter how pointless religious displays on government property may be, the marginalization (by goverment officials) of one belief system in favor of another is indeed state-sponsored endorsement, and it is wrong.

State Rep. Bobby Cleveland asserts that the Baphomet statue "does not meet with the values of Oklahomans" -- because he obviously speaks for all Oklahomans. Rep. Paul Wesselhoft claims the statue has "no historical significance" to Oklahoma -- unlike the antiquated Middle Eastern dogma and tenets espoused in Christian doctrine, correct?

Personally, I've mixed feelings regarding Lucien and The Satanic Temple's approach in certain matters. Sparring with ageing Bible Belt zeaolts is fruitless and only lends credence to the relevance they assume they hold.

Distributing "Satanic coloring books" and reading material at public schools is nothing short of prosthelytizing and is akin to the antics and carnival barking of street-corner preachers.

While I fully agree that religious discrimination sucks; I wouldn't concern myself in the least with winning the hearts of Oklahoma's fanatical right. Making educational materials widely avaiable may be a noble gesture; keep in mind, however, that when you throw the clubhouse doors open for all to enter, you'll ultimately have to settle for quantity over quality.

When the symbols and imagery of a belief system become trendy fashion statements; the true meanings behind them often become as diluted as the personalities who flaunt them (see Beyonce and Kanye West).

As of today, neither monument graces the grounds of Oklahoma's capitol, and maybe that's a good thing. The Baphomet statue has yet to be completed and the Ten Commandments slab was leveled last week by some jerk who claims Satan told him to destroy it. There's no word yet, however, if Oklahoma authorities plan to file charges on Satan.

If any true changes for the better are to take place on either side, it will have to begin from within the organizations/religious factions and within the hearts and minds of their respective members.

The loudest voices from the Christian right tend to come from the most obtuse, heavy handed charlatans you'd never want to meet. They tend to feel the need to interject themselves into every facet of secular society, with a deep-seated incapability to resist the urge to do so.

The (so-called) Satanists, who actually believe in a little firey red guy and look like some sensationalized, goth caricature from a late '80s episode of Geraldo, need to do a little self inventory as well.

Both groups are two sides of the same coin: useless masochists who feed on each other's juvenile behavior, while making a mockery of themselves and the religiousity they wear on their sleeves.

The utility and success of your belief system should be measured by the personal enrichment you gain from it, rather than how often and how heavily you bludgeon people with it.

Religious wars and debates alike have yet to solidify one philisophical "truth" or universally accepted cultural theorem; though tomorrow more blood will be shed in the name of supernatural boogeymen and the pious fanatic will continue to regurgitate "you need God!"

Eustress is like junkfood -- comforting and fulfilling at times, but detrimental in high doses. You'd think people would've learned by now that their monuments may be set in stone, but their personal beliefs and convictions are not. 

Happy Halloween.