Post by natalie on Aug 1, 2016 14:24:28 GMT -5
'Educatin' with Satan': Satanic Temple After-School Clubs?
USA TODAY NETWORK, Mary Bowerman, August 1, 2016
Across the nation, school days are often extended with after school reading clubs, homework help, and sports activities; but are parents ready for an after-school program based on Satan? The Satanic Temple is planning on rolling out After School Satan Clubs at select public elementary schools across the nation this year, The Washington Post reports.
Doug Mesner, the Satanic Temple’s co-founder, told The Post it boils down to this: If Christian evangelical groups have already staked a claim in after-school programs, why shouldn’t Satanists have a seat at the table as well? “It’s critical that children understand that there are multiple perspectives on all issues, and that they have a choice in how they think,” Mesner, who goes by Lucien Greaves, told The Post.
But if you’re picturing a room of young children learning about the man in red, you’re wrong. According to the group’s website, the “Educatin’ with Satan” program will focus on the concepts of “critical reasoning, independent-thinking, fun and free thought.”
While many may believe the group worships the devil, that’s not entirely the case, according to the Satanic Temple. The Satanic Temple (TST) does not teach the existence of a literal Satan but rather uses the name as a symbol for rebellion against tyranny and authoritarian rule, according to the group’s website. The group says it believes that science trumps all.
So, will After School Satan Clubs become a reality? The Satanic Temple says it plans to use the same approach the Child Evangelism Fellowship used to push its Good News Club programs into schools across the country. In 2001, the Supreme Court ruled that religious groups seeking to use public school facilities “after school” must be treated as non-religious groups and allowed to organize.
In a nutshell, schools cannot discriminate against a religious group. The Child Evangelism Fellowship used the ruling to promote its clubs, which are focused on lessons from the Bible. Mesner said TST plans on hosting an hour-long club one a month, every month. Instead of teaching kids they “are sinners and going to Hell,” like the Good News Club, the Satan club “will be providing a scientific after school club to balance the superstition being put forward by the Evangelical groups,” Mesner told USA Today Network in a phone interview. Children will be required to bring a signed permission slip to participate.
The Satanic Temple notes it is “eager” to offer schools the program. Mesner, said that the group has already reached out to school districts in nine states that are located near local Satanic Temple chapters. All of the schools TST has reached out to have hosted, or are now hosting, Good News Clubs, he said. He notes that since The Post article first published, they’ve received a flood of emails from volunteers in other states who want to help host after-school clubs. He believes the presence of Satanists at local elementary schools will send a positive message. “People will see that as an ironic statement that the message of Satanism is a positive message, but that’s true,” Mesner continued. “When they see people ... living normal, healthy, productive lives and being decent people it makes them think more critically of the claims being put forth from Evangelicals.”
USA TODAY NETWORK, Mary Bowerman, August 1, 2016
Across the nation, school days are often extended with after school reading clubs, homework help, and sports activities; but are parents ready for an after-school program based on Satan? The Satanic Temple is planning on rolling out After School Satan Clubs at select public elementary schools across the nation this year, The Washington Post reports.
Doug Mesner, the Satanic Temple’s co-founder, told The Post it boils down to this: If Christian evangelical groups have already staked a claim in after-school programs, why shouldn’t Satanists have a seat at the table as well? “It’s critical that children understand that there are multiple perspectives on all issues, and that they have a choice in how they think,” Mesner, who goes by Lucien Greaves, told The Post.
But if you’re picturing a room of young children learning about the man in red, you’re wrong. According to the group’s website, the “Educatin’ with Satan” program will focus on the concepts of “critical reasoning, independent-thinking, fun and free thought.”
While many may believe the group worships the devil, that’s not entirely the case, according to the Satanic Temple. The Satanic Temple (TST) does not teach the existence of a literal Satan but rather uses the name as a symbol for rebellion against tyranny and authoritarian rule, according to the group’s website. The group says it believes that science trumps all.
So, will After School Satan Clubs become a reality? The Satanic Temple says it plans to use the same approach the Child Evangelism Fellowship used to push its Good News Club programs into schools across the country. In 2001, the Supreme Court ruled that religious groups seeking to use public school facilities “after school” must be treated as non-religious groups and allowed to organize.
In a nutshell, schools cannot discriminate against a religious group. The Child Evangelism Fellowship used the ruling to promote its clubs, which are focused on lessons from the Bible. Mesner said TST plans on hosting an hour-long club one a month, every month. Instead of teaching kids they “are sinners and going to Hell,” like the Good News Club, the Satan club “will be providing a scientific after school club to balance the superstition being put forward by the Evangelical groups,” Mesner told USA Today Network in a phone interview. Children will be required to bring a signed permission slip to participate.
The Satanic Temple notes it is “eager” to offer schools the program. Mesner, said that the group has already reached out to school districts in nine states that are located near local Satanic Temple chapters. All of the schools TST has reached out to have hosted, or are now hosting, Good News Clubs, he said. He notes that since The Post article first published, they’ve received a flood of emails from volunteers in other states who want to help host after-school clubs. He believes the presence of Satanists at local elementary schools will send a positive message. “People will see that as an ironic statement that the message of Satanism is a positive message, but that’s true,” Mesner continued. “When they see people ... living normal, healthy, productive lives and being decent people it makes them think more critically of the claims being put forth from Evangelicals.”
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