The Devil on Display

By now you’ve probably heard the story going ’round about the Satanists who claim the right to put up a statue of their Dark Lord outside the Oklahoma state Capitol, which since 2012 has had a Ten Commandments monument. The proposed display features the Baphomet symbol of Satan, complete with cloven hoofs and horns, welcoming two children to his embrace. This depiction of the devil is the one popularized more than 100 years ago and adopted by occultist Aliester Crowley and the late Anton Lavey. A spokesperson for the campaign, Lucien Greaves, says, “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.”

The seven-foot tall structure depicts Lucifer with a goat’s head, adored by two happy children.  Says Greaves, “The status will serve as a beacon calling for compassion and empathy among all living creatures. This is to be a historical marker commemorating the scapegoats, the marginalized, the demonized minority and the unjustly outcast.” I can’t imagine the good folks of Oklahoma buying that logic, but let’s wait and see what the ACLU and Obama-appointed judges have to say before we dismiss this proposal as preposterous. In our world of compromise and political correctness, nothing surprises me anymore. As for words like “compassion” and “empathy,” tell that to victims of satanic ritual abuse. Tell it to those who have been victimized by war, violence, and perverted predators. Satan is the origin of all evil in the universe and to even suggest honoring him in any way, let alone on public land, is the height of hubris. Don’t believe what the proponents of this memorial to Belial have to say because their leader is the father of all lies (John 8:44).  If by some warped twist of logic these Satanists are allowed to erect this statue, they’d better put a lightning rod on the top. A thunderbolt from heaven might be expected at any moment.

An encouraging word:  YOU ARE NOT FORSAKEN

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” You’re probably familiar with those words of Jesus on the cross. The feeling of forsakenness, abandonment, and rejection is so much a part of the human condition: the employee whose years of faithful services ends abruptly with a pink slip; the husband or wife who suddenly discovers the infidelity of a lifelong partner; the child who wonders why his parents are getting a divorce. “Why am I forsaken?” is a universal human cry, to which the Lord, who himself felt forsaken, answers, “I will never forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).