After School Satan

Last updated
After School Satan
FormationJuly 2016;7 years ago (July 2016) [1]
Headquarters Salem, Massachusetts [2]
Spokesperson
 Lucien Greaves
Website Official website

After School Satan is an after school program project of The Satanic Temple (T.S.T.), a non-theistic United States organization based in Salem, Massachusetts, [2] and is sponsored by Reason Alliance LTD, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. [3] It was created as an alternative to Christian-based after-school groups, specifically at schools that host the Evangelical Good News Club. [4] [5] [6] The program neither teaches about Satanism nor attempts to convert club-goers; they instead teach about rationalism and understanding the world around us. It is against the beliefs of the Satanic Temple to teach religious practice in schools, which is opposite to how the Good News Club functions. The Satanic Temple rejects supernatural beliefs and views Satan as a literary symbol of rebellion against authority, not as a supernatural entity. [7]

Contents

The Satanic Temple announced it was pursuing After School Satan clubs in cities across the United States, including Atlanta, Lebanon, Connecticut, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Pensacola, Washington, D.C., Tucson, Springfield, Missouri, Seattle, Portland, and Memphis. [6] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

Despite widespread media attention to the announcements initially, only one school in Tacoma, Washington, ever served any students, teaching a single child from a nearby school once per month from December 2016 to June 2017. [13] [14] The program did not return the following year, and by the fall of 2017, TST representative Chalice Blythe confirmed in an interview there were no active programs. [15] [16]

In January 2022, a second After School Satan Club launched in Moline, Illinois. After meeting for two school years, the club received pushback from the Moline-Coal Valley Board of Education, which attempted to move the group off campus for the 2023-24 school year. After four months of negotiations, it was agreed that the club would stay on the elementary school campus where it had held its previous meetings. [17] Biweekly meetings are scheduled through May 2024, with a focus on board and card games, arts, crafts, and science projects. [18]

In November 2023, The Satanic Temple reached a settlement with the Saucon Valley School District Hellertown, Pennsylvania, after district officials forbid the ASSC from meeting on school grounds. The settlement came half a year after a federal court ordered the school district to allow the ASSC to hold meetings at the Saucon Valley Middle School. [19]

History

The Supreme Court decision Good News Club v. Milford Central School held that when a government operates a "limited public forum" it may not discriminate against speech that takes place within that forum on the basis of the viewpoint it expresses. The "limited public forum" in the case was referring to after school programs, that the schools provided space for, but were not run by the school. [20]

After School Satan was created by The Satanic Temple in July 2016 to ensure that equal representation for all religions is upheld in public schools, and religious freedom and plurality is respected. Since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2001 that religious groups are permitted to establish clubs to proselytize after hours using public school classrooms, the Christian-based Good News Club has established thousands of such clubs. In response, The Satanic Temple began a campaign to establish its own clubs across the United States. According to one organizer, "Whenever religion enters the public sphere, like the Good News Club at public schools, we take action to ensure that more than one religious voice is represented, and that is our intent with the After School Satan Club." [1] [5]

Chalice Blythe, former National Director for The Satanic Temple’s After School Satan Club explained, "...The After School Satan Club curriculum was only offered in school districts where local chapters of The Satanic Temple could manage and maintain them." [21]

The clubs follow a standard syllabus, and strive to provide students with the critical thinking skills necessary to be able to make important life decisions for themselves. They emphasize a scientific and rationalist, non-superstitious world view, and oppose indoctrination into other-worldly belief systems. [5] [4]

According to The Satanic Temple and After School Satan's co-founder and spokesperson, Lucien Greaves:

It’s critical that children understand that there are multiple perspectives on all issues, and that they have a choice in how they think... "Satan" is just a "metaphorical construct" intended to represent the rejection of all forms of tyranny over the human mind. [22]

and adds

We are only doing this because Good News Clubs have created a need for this. If Good News Clubs would operate in churches rather than public schools, that need would disappear. But our point is that if you let one religion into the public schools you have to let others, otherwise it’s an establishment of religion. [23]

One club in Seattle had to pause their activities during the 2017–2018 school year due to lack of funds and volunteers. [24] [25]

Activities

After School Satan Clubs "incorporate games, projects, and thinking exercises that help children understand how we know what we know about our world and our universe." [4] [26] Satanic Temple spokesman Finn Rezz said the club "would focus on science and rational thinking," promoting "benevolence and empathy for everybody" – while providing an alternative voice to the Bible-centred "Good News Club". [27] After School Satan Clubs do not teach children to believe in supernatural beings named Satan or perform Satanic rituals. [23]

Reception

A group of Christian pastors and other religious leaders met in Tacoma, Washington, to discuss the proposition that the After School Satan program would be allowed at a local school. One pastor remarked, "We want to cut this off and defeat it before it ever gets a chance to take root." Another pastor commented, "We are the taxpayers here and we ought to stand up and let them know they are not welcome, they don't pay taxes here." [28]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satanism</span> Ideological and philosophical beliefs based on Satan

Satanism refers to a group of religious, ideological and/or philosophical beliefs based on Satan – particularly the worship or veneration of him. Satan is a figure of the devil in Christian belief, a fallen angel and leader of the devils who tempts humans into sin. For many centuries the term was used by various Christian groups as an accusation against ideological opponents. Actually self-identified Satanism is recent, and is thought to have begun with the founding of the Church of Satan by Anton LaVey in the United States in 1966 – that "church" being an atheistic group that does not believe in a literal Satan. Sharing "historical connections and family resemblances" with Satanism, and sometimes overlapping with it, are paganism, ceremonial magic, and "other dark entities such as Set, Lilith, Hecate, and Chaos", from the occult and the 'Left Hand Path milieu.'

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of Satan</span> Organization dedicated to atheist Satanism

The Church of Satan (CoS) is a religious organization dedicated to the religion of Satanism as defined by Anton Szandor LaVey. Founded in San Francisco in 1966, by LaVey, it is considered the "oldest satanic religion in continual existence", and more importantly the most influential, inspiring "numerous imitator and breakaway groups". According to the Church, Satanism has been "codified" as "a religion and philosophy" by LaVey and his church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anton LaVey</span> Founder of the Church of Satan, author of the Satanic Bible

Anton Szandor LaVey was an American author, musician, and Satanist. He was the founder of the Church of Satan and the religion of Satanism. He authored several books, including The Satanic Bible, The Satanic Rituals, The Satanic Witch, The Devil's Notebook, and Satan Speaks! In addition, he released three albums, including The Satanic Mass, Satan Takes a Holiday, and Strange Music. He played a minor on-screen role and served as technical advisor for the 1975 film The Devil's Rain and served as host and narrator for Nick Bougas' 1989 mondo film Death Scenes.

<i>The Satanic Bible</i> Religious text of LaVeyan Satanism

The Satanic Bible is a collection of essays, observations, and rituals published by Anton LaVey in 1969. It is the central religious text of LaVeyan Satanism, and is considered the foundation of its philosophy and dogma. It has been described as the most important document to influence contemporary Satanism. Though The Satanic Bible is not considered to be sacred scripture in the way that the Christian Bible is to Christianity, LaVeyan Satanists regard it as an authoritative text as it is a contemporary text that has attained for them scriptural status. It extols the virtues of exploring one's own nature and instincts. Believers have been described as "atheistic Satanists" because they believe that God and Satan are not external entities, but rather projections of an individual's own personality—benevolent and stabilizing forces in their life. There have been thirty printings of The Satanic Bible, selling over a million copies.

LaVeyan Satanism is the name given to the form of Satanism promoted by American occultist and author Anton LaVey (1930-1997). LaVey founded the Church of Satan (CoS) in 1966 in San Francisco. Although LaVey is thought to have had more impact with his Satanic aesthetics of "colourful rituals" and "scandalous clothes" that created a "gigantic media circus", he also promoted his ideas in writings, such as The Satanic Bible. LaVeyan Satanism has been classified as a new religious movement and a form of Western esotericism by scholars of religion. LaVey's ideas have been said to weave "together an eclectic range of thinkers and tropes", combining "humanism, hedonism, aspects of pop psychology and the human potential movement", along with "a lot of showmanship", but also to be "contradictory". His ideas were heavily influenced by the ideas and writings of Friedrich Nietzsche, Ayn Rand and Arthur Desmond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luciferianism</span> Belief system that venerates Lucifer

Luciferianism is a belief system that venerates the essential characteristics that are affixed to Lucifer, the name of various mythological and religious figures associated with the planet Venus. The tradition usually reveres Lucifer not as the Devil, but as a destroyer, a guardian, liberator, light bringer or guiding spirit to darkness, or even the true god. According to Ethan Doyle White of the Britannica, among those who "called themselves Satanists or Luciferians", some insist that Lucifer is an entity separate from Satan, while others maintain "the two names as synonyms for the same being".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Warnke</span> American comedian, evangelist, and author

Michael Alfred Warnke is an American Christian evangelist and comedian who was exposed in 1992 for inventing stories of his past as a Satanist. Before being debunked by the Christian magazine Cornerstone, he was viewed as an "expert" on Satanism in the 1980s.

The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God is an international Evangelical Neo-charismatic Christian denomination with its headquarters at the Temple of Solomon in São Paulo, Brazil. The church was founded in 1977 in Rio de Janeiro by Bishop Edir Macedo, who is the owner of the multi-billion television company RecordTV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theistic Satanism</span> Umbrella term for religious groups

Theistic Satanism, otherwise referred to as religious Satanism, spiritual Satanism, or traditional Satanism, is an umbrella term for religious groups that consider Satan, the Devil, to objectively exist as a deity, supernatural entity, or spiritual being worthy of worship or reverence, whom individuals may contact and convene with, in contrast to the atheistic archetype, metaphor, or symbol found in LaVeyan Satanism. Organizations who uphold theistic Satanist beliefs most often have few adherents, are loosely affiliated or constitute themselves as independent groups and cabals, which have largely self-marginalized. Another prominent characteristic of theistic Satanism is the use of various types of magic. Most theistic Satanist groups exist in relatively new models and ideologies, many of which are independent of the Abrahamic religions.

Good News Club v. Milford Central School, 533 U.S. 98 (2001), was a decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that held that, when a government operates a "limited public forum", it may not discriminate against speech that takes place within that forum on the basis of the viewpoint which it expresses—in this case, against religious speech engaged in by an evangelical Christian club for children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zeena Schreck</span> Musical artist

Zeena Galatea Schreck, known professionally by her mononymous artist name ZEENA, is a Berlin-based American visual and musical artist, author and the spiritual leader of the Sethian Liberation Movement (SLM), which she founded in 2002.

Good News Club is a weekly interdenominational Christian program for 5-to-12-year-old children featuring a Bible lesson, songs, memory verses, and games. It is the leading ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), which creates the curriculum, translates it into different languages for use around the world, and trains instructors to teach it. The foundation has reported that in 2011 there were 3,560 Good News Clubs in public schools across the United States and more than 42,000 clubs worldwide. The Good News Club was the plaintiff in Good News Club v. Milford Central School, 533 U.S. 98 (2001), which held that the club was entitled to the same access as other groups, like the Boy Scouts, to provide after-school programs designed to promote "moral and character development" to Milford School's elementary children.

The Satanic panic is a moral panic about alleged widespread Satanic ritual abuse which originated around the 1980s in the United States, peaking in the early 1990s, before waning as a result of scepticism of academics and law enforcement agencies who ultimately debunked the claims. The phenomenon spread from the United States to other countries, including South Africa, where it is still evident periodically. South Africa was particularly associated with the Satanic panic because of the creation of the Occult Related Crimes Unit in 1992, described as the "world's only 'ritual murder' task force". According to anthropologist Annika Teppo, this was linked with powerful conservative Christian forces within the then-dominant white community in the last years of apartheid. Christian belief is a prerequisite to serve in the unit. The concern with the alleged presence of Satanism and occult practices has continued into the post-apartheid era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Satanic Temple</span> Non-theistic religious organization

The Satanic Temple (TST) is a non-theistic organization and new religious movement, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Salem, Massachusetts. Established to "fight a perceived intrusion of Christian values on American politics", congregations have also formed in Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Co-founded by Lucien Greaves, the organization's spokesperson, and Malcolm Jarry, the group views Satan neither as a supernatural being, nor a symbol of evil; but instead relies on the literary Satan as a symbol representing "the eternal rebel" against arbitrary authority and social norms, or as a metaphor to promote pragmatic skepticism, rational reciprocity, personal autonomy, and curiosity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucien Greaves</span> Co-founder and spokesperson for The Satanic Temple

Douglas Mesner, better known as Lucien Greaves, is a social activist and the spokesman and co-founder of The Satanic Temple.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statue of Baphomet</span> Sculpture commissioned by The Satanic Temple

The statue of Baphomet is a sculpture commissioned by The Satanic Temple depicting Baphomet, a winged, goat-headed, humanoid symbol of the occult. First unveiled in Detroit in 2015, the statue stands 8.5 feet (2.6 m) tall, weighing over 3,000 lbs., and features a prominent pentagram as well as two smiling youths gazing up at the seated central figure. Petitions to display the piece on public grounds have resulted in arguments concerning religious equality. Production of the statue, and its initial notoriety, is featured in the documentary Hail Satan? (2019).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Suhor</span> American jazz musician

David Suhor is an American jazz musician and teacher living in Pensacola, Florida; he is the founder of a local business called ShamaLamaGram that delivers singing telegrams.

<i>Hail Satan?</i> 2019 American film

Hail Satan? is a 2019 American documentary film about the origins of The Satanic Temple, including the group's grassroots political activism. Directed by Penny Lane, the film premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, and was released in the United States on April 19, distributed by Magnolia Pictures. The film follows Satanists working to preserve the separation of church and state against the privileges of the Christian right.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaz Stevens</span> American political activist (born 1964)

Timothy "Chaz" Stevens is an American political activist, artist, software developer, and entrepreneur from Florida. He is active in local politics in Broward County, and has gained national notoriety for his colorful statewide and national advocacy for the separation of church and state.

SatanCon is the annual convention of the Satanic Temple, a non-theistic religious organization which uses Satanic imagery to advocate for egalitarianism, social justice, and the separation of church and state. The conventions combine traditional conference-style educational panels with social events, arts, and a marketplace.

References

  1. 1 2 Stewart, Katherine. "An After School Satan Club could be coming to your kid's elementary school". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2017-01-30. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  2. 1 2 "The Satanic Temple to open international headquarters in Salem". Fox 25 News Boston . 2016-09-16. Archived from the original on 2016-10-21. Retrieved 2017-01-14.
  3. ↑ "Did the IRS 'Fast Track' Tax Exempt Status for After School Satan Clubs?". Snopes . Retrieved 2018-01-21.
  4. 1 2 3 "FAQ". After School Satan. Archived from the original on 2017-01-16. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 Anderson, Rick. "Yes, an after-school Satan Club could be coming to your kid's grade school". LA Times. Archived from the original on 2017-01-09. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Portland OKs "After School Satan" for elementary kids". CBS News. 28 September 2016. Archived from the original on 2017-01-16. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  7. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions". The Satanic Temple.
  8. ↑ "Satanic Temple brings 'After School Satan Club' to Portland school". Fox News. 27 September 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-12-23. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  9. ↑ Cafazzo, Debbie. "State's first After-School Satan Club set to open". The News Tribune. Archived from the original on 2017-01-16. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  10. ↑ "Find a Club". After School Satan. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  11. ↑ "Planned After School Satan Club sparks controversy in Tennessee". CBS News . 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  12. ↑ "After School Satan Club holds first meeting at Lebanon Elementary School". 2 December 2023.
  13. ↑ "After-school Satan club tests the limits of church and state". KALW Public Media. Archived from the original on 2021-12-08. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  14. ↑ JudicialWatch.org, Invoice for December 2016 to June 2017 indicates seven monthly two-hour room rent and utilities amounted to a cost of $154.00, with the official requestor group "Reason Alliance Ltd" and funds provided by Reason Alliance Ltd. (PDF, pages 3-14)
  15. ↑ Rudd, Candice. "Tacoma's After-School Satan Club is on pause for now, says Satanic Temple of Seattle". The News Tribune. Archived from the original on 2017-09-13. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  16. ↑ "Recruiting Tomorrow's Satanists - The Jim Jefferies Show". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2017-11-16. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  17. ↑ https://www.kwqc.com/2024/01/26/after-school-satan-club-returns-jane-addams-elementary-school/
  18. ↑ "Small protest outside Moline elementary school greets 1st After School Satan Club". WHBF-TV. 13 January 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-01-15. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  19. ↑ https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/pennsylvania-school-district-agrees-to-pay-200000-after-discriminatory-decision-to-block-after-school-satan-club-from-school-facilities
  20. ↑ Gearan, Anne (11 June 2001). "Supreme Court Says Religious Clubs Can Meet at Public Schools". abc NEWS . Archived from the original on 16 July 2015.
  21. ↑ "Press Releases". Archived from the original on 2020-06-27. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
  22. ↑ "An After School Satan Club Could Be Coming To Your Child's Elementary School". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2017-10-08. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  23. 1 2 Emery, David (August 2016). "Satan's Waitin'". Snopes. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  24. ↑ "Tacoma Elementary School Is Ending Its After-School Satan Club, but Not for the Reason You Think". The Stranger. Archived from the original on 2017-11-16. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  25. ↑ Ruud, Candice. "Tacoma's After-School Satan Club is on pause for now, says Satanic Temple of Seattle". The News Tribune. Archived from the original on 2018-01-14. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  26. ↑ Swann, Jennifer. "L.A.'s After School Satan Club Is Coming for Your Children". LA Times. Archived from the original on 2017-01-04. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  27. ↑ Boult, Adam (28 September 2016). "School grants Satanic Temple permission to run after-school club for 10-year-olds". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2016-11-07. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  28. ↑ Tacoma pastors speak out against Satanic Temple after-school club Archived 2017-02-05 at the Wayback Machine ; KIRO7 News; Henry Rosoff; Oct 18, 2016
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.