Displaced Demon Deity

This 2014 photo provided by The Satanic Temple shows a bronze Baphomet, which depicts Satan as a goat-headed figure surrounded by two children. The Satanic Temple, a group advocating the separation of church and state, considered proposing that the statue be placed outside the Arkansas Statehouse after their first choice of the Oklahoma Capitol grounds was scuttled in 2015 by a state Supreme Court ruling barring all religious monuments. (The Satanic Temple via AP)

 The Satanic Temple via AP 2015

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. โ€” Officials say Scottsdale will bar the Satanic Temple from leading a scheduled prayer at a City Council meeting in July.

City spokesman Kelly Corsette says Scottsdale informed the Satanic Temple's Arizona chapter that only representatives from institutions that have a substantial connection to the Scottsdale community will be allowed to give the invocation.

Scottsdale now is making other arrangements for the July 6 invocation.

Satanic Temple spokesman Stu de Haan says the city has twice approved plans for the invocation โ€” first for April 5 and then for July 6 when the group had to reschedule for logistical reasons.

De Haan learned about Scottsdale's decision Monday afternoon. He says it's too early to say what the group might do next.

The Satanic Temple's Arizona chapter is based in Tucson.

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