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.

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.

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

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.