Why nobody should want to be called The G.O.A.T.

The Goat, G.O.A.T., and Baphomet: Intersections of Symbolism in Modern Culture

The acronym **G.O.A.T.**—standing for "Greatest of All Time"—has become a ubiquitous expression of admiration in sports, music, and popular culture. Athletes, entertainers, and fans alike proudly declare someone the "G.O.A.T.," often accompanied by goat emojis or imagery. Yet, for some observers, particularly within certain Christian and conspiracy-oriented circles, this celebration of the "goat" carries unsettling symbolic weight when viewed alongside the historical and occult figure of **Baphomet**, a goat-headed entity long associated with Satanism, duality, and esoteric traditions. This article examines the origins and research surrounding Baphomet and goat symbolism, their presence in media, cults, everyday iconography such as truck decals, and the perspective of Christian commentator Joe Schimmel on the cultural implications of calling oneself the "G.O.A.T."

Historical and Occult Origins of Baphomet

The name "Baphomet" first appeared in historical records around 1098, during the Crusades, in a letter by Anselm of Ribemont, possibly as a corruption of "Mahomet" (Muhammad) used pejoratively by Christian forces. The figure gained lasting notoriety in 1307 when the Knights Templar were accused by King Philip IV of France of secretly worshipping Baphomet—described variously as a severed head, idol, or demonic entity—during heresy trials widely regarded by historians as politically motivated to confiscate the order’s wealth.

In the 19th century, French occultist Éliphas Lévi reimagined Baphomet as the now-iconic androgynous, winged, goat-headed figure with human and animal features, including breasts, a pentagram on the forehead, and a torch between the horns. Lévi’s "Sabbatic Goat" (1856) symbolized alchemical and philosophical duality—light/dark, male/female, creation/destruction—and drew inspiration from ancient fertility deities such as the Greek god Pan and the Egyptian Goat of Mendes. Goats have long carried symbolic associations with virility, independence, rebellion, and the demonic, reinforced by the biblical "scapegoat" ritual in Leviticus 16, where a goat bore the sins of the people into the wilderness, and by references to Azazel, a fallen angel in apocryphal texts.

### Baphomet in Modern Occultism, Media, and Everyday Culture

Twentieth-century occult movements embraced Lévi’s imagery. Anton LaVey’s Church of Satan adopted the **Sigil of Baphomet**—a goat’s head inside an inverted pentagram—as its official emblem in 1966. The Satanic Temple later used a large Baphomet statue in public demonstrations to advocate for religious pluralism and separation of church and state.

In popular media, goat and Baphomet motifs frequently appear in horror and occult-themed works. Films such as *The Witch* (2015) feature Black Phillip, a malevolent talking goat representing satanic temptation, while *Baphomet* (2021) and related low-budget horror projects center on cults invoking the deity. Music videos, album art, and celebrity imagery have also drawn scrutiny for incorporating goat heads, pentagrams, and related symbols.

More unexpectedly, Baphomet-inspired decals and stickers—often featuring the goat-headed pentagram—are widely available for purchase and commonly displayed on trucks, cars, and personal items. These designs, sold on major online marketplaces, allow individuals to publicly signal affinity with occult, pagan, or rebellious subcultures.

The "G.O.A.T." Phenomenon and Joe Schimmel’s Perspective

The practice of self-identifying as the "G.O.A.T." has drawn particular criticism from some Christian commentators who see it as an unwitting or deliberate alignment with goat symbolism tied to Baphomet. Pastor **Joe Schimmel**, founder of Good Fight Ministries, has addressed this in documentaries and teachings, arguing that prominent entertainers and athletes who embrace the "G.O.A.T." label—often accompanied by goat imagery or occult-adjacent symbols—contribute to the normalization of satanic or Illuminati-influenced iconography in mainstream culture. Schimmel points to examples in hip-hop, sports, and celebrity social media, suggesting these elements subtly promote spiritual rebellion and erode biblical values of humility and dependence on God.

Conclusion

While the connection between the modern "G.O.A.T." moniker and ancient Baphomet symbolism remains interpretive rather than direct, the persistence of goat imagery across history, occult traditions, popular media, and everyday objects invites reflection on the power of symbols. Whether viewed as harmless cultural shorthand or as part of a deeper pattern of esoteric influence, the goat continues to embody complex ideas of greatness, transgression, and spiritual significance in contemporary society.