VERDICT: FALSE
Claims that Hobby Lobby sells demonic or satanic merchandise are completely false. The Christian-owned craft retailer has strict merchandise policies aligned with its evangelical values and has famously gone to the Supreme Court to defend its religious principles. Viral posts misidentify Halloween decorations, fantasy-themed craft supplies, or products from other retailers. This follows classic "Satanic Panic" misinformation patterns that have targeted retailers for decades.
In late 2024 and early 2025, viral social media posts claimed that Hobby Lobby - one of America's most openly Christian corporations - was selling "demonic" merchandise including alleged occult items, satanic symbols, and witchcraft supplies. These claims spread rapidly on Facebook, TikTok, and X (Twitter), often accompanied by photos purportedly taken in Hobby Lobby stores.
Investigation reveals these claims are false. The images either show products from other retailers, misidentify innocent Halloween or fantasy-themed items, or are digitally manipulated. Hobby Lobby's documented merchandise policies explicitly prohibit occult or anti-Christian content, and the company's evangelical Christian ownership has been central to its brand identity since its founding in 1972.
The Viral Claim
Posts circulating on social media in 2025 alleged that Hobby Lobby was selling various "demonic" items, including:
- Ouija boards and "spirit communication" devices
- Satanic symbol jewelry and home decor
- Witchcraft and spell-casting supplies
- Demonic figurines and statues
Many posts expressed outrage that a "Christian company" would sell such items, with some calling for boycotts. The claims gained particular traction in evangelical Christian communities. [6]
Hobby Lobby's Religious Identity
To understand why these claims are implausible, it is essential to understand Hobby Lobby's corporate identity. The company was founded in 1972 by David Green, an evangelical Christian who has made faith central to the company's operations. [1]
Documented Religious Policies
- Closed on Sundays: All 900+ stores close on Sundays for religious observance, costing an estimated $100 million annually in lost revenue
- Christian messaging: Full-page newspaper ads on Easter and Christmas promoting Christian faith
- Supreme Court case: Successfully sued the federal government in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2014) over contraception mandates, citing religious beliefs
- Museum of the Bible: The Green family founded the $500 million Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.
According to Forbes, Hobby Lobby is one of the largest privately held companies in America with over $8 billion in annual revenue, and its evangelical Christian identity is core to its brand. [7]
"We believe that it is by God's grace and provision that Hobby Lobby has endured. He has been faithful in the past, we trust Him for our future."
- Official company statement [1]
Investigation Findings
Analysis of viral posts claiming Hobby Lobby sells demonic merchandise reveals several patterns:
Misidentified Products
Many viral images show products that are not demonic but have been mischaracterized:
- Gargoyle statues: Medieval architectural reproductions, traditionally used on churches
- Dragon figurines: Fantasy-themed craft items, not religious symbols
- Skull decor: Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) cultural items or Halloween decorations
- Celestial motifs: Moon and star designs, common in home decor
Wrong Retailer Attribution
Reverse image searches show many viral photos were actually taken at other retailers including Spirit Halloween, HomeGoods, and Dollar Tree. [3]
Digital Manipulation
Some images show signs of editing, with Hobby Lobby signage added to photos from other stores or products digitally placed into Hobby Lobby settings.
| Claimed Item | Reality | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ouija boards | Not sold at Hobby Lobby | Store inventory search |
| Pentagram jewelry | Photos from other retailers | Reverse image search |
| Witchcraft spell kits | Not in product catalog | Official website |
| Demon statues | Gargoyle reproductions | Product descriptions |
| Satanic home decor | Misidentified items | Fact-checker analysis |
The Satanic Panic Pattern
These claims follow a well-documented pattern known as "Satanic Panic" - a moral panic that periodically emerges in American culture. The original Satanic Panic peaked in the 1980s and early 1990s, leading to false accusations, wrongful convictions, and widespread fear. [11]
Historical Targets
Similar false claims have targeted:
- Procter & Gamble (1980s): False claims about satanic symbols in logo led to multi-million dollar lawsuits
- Target (recurring): Annual Halloween-season claims about "demonic" merchandise
- LEGO (2014): Jabba's Palace set falsely claimed to promote Islamic terrorism
- Monster Energy (2014): Viral video claimed logo contained hidden "666"
Academic research on moral panics shows these claims tend to spike during periods of social anxiety and around Halloween. [9]
Psychologists identify common features of Satanic Panic claims: [12]
- Hidden symbols: Ordinary imagery reinterpreted as occult
- Trusted institution betrayal: Claims that trusted entities secretly serve evil
- Children as victims: Focus on protecting children from hidden threats
- Rapid social spread: Emotional content spreads faster than corrections
Why This Misinformation Spreads
Several factors make Hobby Lobby a target for such claims:
The Irony Factor
The claim that a famously Christian company sells demonic items contains an inherent irony that makes it "shareable." Posts expressing shock at the supposed hypocrisy generate high engagement. [5]
Visual Misinterpretation
Craft stores sell diverse items - medieval, fantasy, and seasonal themes - that can be mischaracterized as "demonic" by those looking for such content. A decorative gargoyle becomes "proof" of satanic influence.
Confirmation Bias
Those already suspicious of mainstream retail or cultural change may readily accept claims that confirm their worldview. [10]
Platform Algorithms
Social media algorithms prioritize engaging content. Outrage-inducing claims about a beloved Christian retailer selling satanic items generate high engagement, leading to wider distribution. [6]
Fact-Checker Consensus
Multiple fact-checking organizations have addressed similar retail "demonic merchandise" claims:
Conclusion
The claim that Hobby Lobby sells demonic or satanic merchandise is demonstrably false.
Hobby Lobby is one of America's most openly evangelical Christian companies. The company closes all stores on Sundays, ran a Supreme Court case based on religious principles, and its founding family operates the Museum of the Bible. The notion that this company would stock "demonic" merchandise is inconsistent with its documented corporate identity and merchandise policies.
Viral images purporting to show satanic items at Hobby Lobby have been traced to other retailers, shown to be misidentified innocent products, or found to be digitally manipulated. This follows the classic "Satanic Panic" pattern that has targeted retailers for decades.
As PolitiFact and Snopes have documented, these claims emerge regularly - particularly around Halloween - and should be evaluated with the same skepticism applied to any extraordinary claim about mainstream retailers secretly promoting occultism. [4]
Claims that Hobby Lobby sells demonic merchandise are false. The Christian-owned company has strict merchandise policies consistent with its evangelical values. Viral posts misidentify products, show items from other retailers, or use manipulated images. This claim is a modern example of recurring "Satanic Panic" misinformation targeting retailers.