A highly popular, generally levelheaded, and genuinely friendly atheist blogger recently wrote that “the Satanic Temple’s Baphomet statue would finally get a new home” after Oklahoma brings its Ten Commandments monument back onto the State Capitol grounds. This is wishful thinking at best, since an American court has yet to rule in favor of the idea that a government entity should be required to accept permanent monuments from prospective donors; indeed, there is some jurisprudence to the contrary.
Unpleasant realities aside, it is a fun exercise to imagine what an atheist monument would or should look like. Baphomet is one such conception, and a damn good one, because it evokes symbology considered fearful by the average Bible Belt voter.
My monument be looking fierce!http://t.co/zOnVzVHZlX pic.twitter.com/c2crWx7yHt
— Lord Baphotired (@BaphometOKC) December 12, 2014
Imagine what a more mainstream (and perhaps less trollish) monument might look like.
How about an unassuming granite bench?
https://twitter.com/DDHomeless/status/351022084996071427
It’s functional (if a bit minimalist) and the backstory is definitely worth reading. (Apparently the trick is to force a cash-strapped county government into mediation.) But—please don’t take this the wrong way—it’s basically a place to rest your bum. I’m probably not the only atheist hoping for something a bit more inspiring.
Here are a few more ideas to consider, should you ever be faced with the challenging task of representing atheists, freethinkers, or skeptics in statuary form.
Thomas Paine
.@AncientHouseMus Statue of Thomas Paine down the road from me in Morristown, NJ courtesy of http://t.co/qAAyO7axQL pic.twitter.com/dgLqjDK87b
— Sharon Phillips (@MuseumSharon) January 29, 2014
I know, not technically an atheist, but certainly a freethinker and a skeptic. Moreover, the great agnostic Robert Green Ingersoll wrote fulsomely of him as an American hero. Definitely in the running as far as I’m concerned.
Denis Diderot
Diderot was among the first fruits of open atheism reaped by the Enlightenment. I strongly recommend The Skeptic’s Walk if you have an internet connection and some spare time for leisure reading.
Hypatia of Alexandria
@ThinkAtheist I like Hypatia. Here's a painting to share. pic.twitter.com/n4PeOhtan8
— Democritus Prime (@DemocritusPrime) February 3, 2015
Philosopher, mathematician, and patron saint of Skeptic Ink for reasons amply explained here and here, Hypatia neatly encompasses the neverending struggle between Athens and Jerusalem. Alas, none of her own words survive to be emblazoned on a plaque.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Statue showing Amelia Bloomer introducing Susan B Anthony & Elizabeth Cady Stanton #womenshistory http://t.co/LhxyLpTZ
— JJ (@MsJJ_Dynomite) March 8, 2012
One of the great founding mothers of American feminism, Cady Stanton was thrown under the bus by suffragettes for being too forthright about the degradation of women caused by religious doctrine:
I have endeavoured to dissipate these religious superstitions from the minds of women, and base their faith on science and reason, where I found for myself at least that peace and comfort I could never find in the Bible and the church.
Now that would make a fine bronze plaque.
No doubt I’m forgetting many worthy historical figures, and leaving out all manner of artful abstractions as well.
If it were left up to you, what monument would you erect to atheism, freethought, or skepticism?
