The Satanic Temple said the destruction of its holiday display at the New Hampshire State House is not only a crime but a shame and a waste.

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

CONCORD, N.H. (TNND) — The city of Concord, New Hampshire last week defended a holiday display in its city plaza created by a local Satanic Temple group.

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.

Concord 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.”

On Tuesday morning, Rep. Ellen Read, a Newmarket Democrat, was picking up the pieces of the vandalized goat-headed figure, three days after it was first unveiled on Main Street in Concord.

Satanic Temple cofounder and spokesperson Lucien Greaves said the city of Concord is "acknowledging that they did not really have a choice but to follow the law."

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.

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,