Satanic Temple Eyes Elementary Schools Nationwide
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- The Satanic Temple is eyeing your child's elementary school for its "After School Satan" club.
According to the organization, this coming school year public elementary schools across the nation are expected to have their clubs.
How? The organization leveraged religious freedom laws which would include their freedom to share their program with children in the public school system.
"We are sure that the school districts we've approached are well aware that they are not at liberty to deny us use of their facilities, nor are they at liberty to deny us any level of representation in the schools that they afford to other school clubs — such as fliers, tables, brochures, and school-wide announcements," said the spokesperson for The Satanic Temple Lucien Greaves.
So far, according to their website, the only Florida school they have approached has been C.A. Weis Elementary School in Pensacola in the Escambia County School District.
But it's not looking like the club will end up there.
"There is not a club and no plans to have a satanic club," said Escambia County School Superintendent Malcom Thomas.
Thomas said in order for the club to come about those wanting students to join would have to have a number of things in place like a faculty sponsor, student interest in the club and a clear goal for the club among other requirements. They are things Thomas said the group doesn't seem to have.
"If they're going to have students involved, students will have to get permission and parents will have to want to have that club," said Thomas. "I have no parents or children that want the club....no faculty sponsor for the club."
According to their website, their goal is to counter bible-based groups that work with schools already.
"School districts across the nation have received letters from The Satanic Temple explaining that we will be offering our clubs in their schools this coming school year, and parents in those schools can expect to be presented with a permission slip from their children in the first weeks of the Fall semester," said Greaves.
The group says they do not promote worshipping the devil but focus more on "critical reasoning, independent-thinking, fun, and free thought."
"It's important that children be given an opportunity to realize that the evangelical materials now creeping into their schools are representative of but one religious opinion amongst many," said Greaves.
