This week, a temple which worships ‘Satan’ has begun to roll out its extra-curricular clubs across the US. The Satanic Temple has already seen 9 schools sign up as it plans to bring Lucifer to young children across the world.
SATAN SCHOOL However, the extra-curricular programme is an audacious response to a Supreme Court ruling allowing evangelical religious programmes to operate in schools. The Satanic Temple (TST) is targeting at the Good News Club, a Christian programme for five to 12-year-olds operating in over 3,500 public schools across the US.
TST hopes to counter this evangelical message of “a fear of Hell and God’s wrath” with “rationality, free inquiry, and fun”. The Satanists do not worship Satan because the temple does not promote belief in a supernatural devil. Instead, the Temple uses Satan as a metaphor for rebellion and rational inquiry The Satanists say they are “not interested in operating After School Satan Clubs in school districts that are not already hosting the Good News Club.” A spokesperson for TST, nicknamed Lucien Greaves, said After School Satan clubs will bring diversity to the religious opinions children are exposed to in school.
He said: “We prefer to give children an appreciation of the natural wonders surrounding them, not a fear of everlasting other-worldly horrors.” The club meetings will include a healthy snack, literature lesson, creative learning activities, puzzle solving, a science lesson, and an art project. He also added: “It’s critical that children understand that there are multiple perspectives on all issues and that they have a choice in how they think.”
Mat Staver, from the Liberty Counsel, admitted TST’s planned clubs are lawful but added he believes the clubs will be poorly attended and fade away. He said: “I would definitely oppose after-school Satanic clubs, but they have a First Amendment right to meet. “It’s probably dust they’re kicking up and is likely to fade away in the near future for lack of interest.
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