Primary school ordered to allow a Satanic Temple to run an after-school club
Schools in the US cannot discriminate on religious grounds
AN ELEMENTARY school must allow a 'Satanic temple' to start an after-school club because it is a religious organisation.
The Centennial Elementary School in Mount Vernon, Washington State, has been warned by a lawyer hired by local education authorities that it must let the bizarre programme go ahead - or be sued and lose.
The Satanic Temple has been identifies schools that have a Good News Bible Club.
Spokesman Tarkus Claypool said a parent contacted them because they were uncomfortable that the Bible club was urging young members to preach to other kids.
Claypool, who claims the group doesn't actually worship Satan but scientific rationalism, has a curriculum that teaches children logic, self-empowerment and reason.
"They use the term Satan, I think, as a very successful attention-getter," said Duncan Fobbs.
According to a Supreme Court ruling, schools must allow all organisations, religious and secular, to use school property as long as it doesn't promote hate speech or violence.
Concerned parents went to a meeting of the Mt. Vernon School Board on Wednesday to speak of their dismay at the decision.
"I'm very frustrated but as you heard, the attorney says their hands are tied," said resident Dova Thursk.
Granddad Mike Cheek added: "If people were to define what satanic temple means, I think they’d be alarmed."
Last month scientists at CERN, came under investigation after a bizarre video surfaced which showed cloaked figures appearing to carry out a Satanic ritual.
What is an 'After-School Satan Club'
Are they legal?
Yes. The Supreme Court ruled in 2001 that schools cannot discriminate against religious speech should a religious organisation choose to operate an after-school club on their premises. School Satan Clubs therefore cannot be denied wherever Christian or any other religious clubs operate.
What do children learn?
According to the Seattle Temple's website: "All After-School Satan Clubs are based upon a uniform syllabus that emphasises a scientific, rationalist, non-superstitious world view.
"The twisted Evangelical teachings of The Good News Clubs “robs children of the innocence and enjoyment of childhood, replacing them with a negative self image, preoccupation with sin, fear of Hell, and aversion to critical thinking." After School Satan Clubs involve games, projects, and thinking exercises.
Who runs them?
Volunteers from the Satanic Temple.
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