The Satanic Temple launched an After School Satan Club at Lebanon Elementary School in Connecticut.
“After School Satan Club is coming to Connecticut,” the group wrote on Instagram. “The state’s first ASSC will launch on December 1st at Lebanon Elementary School in just a few weeks. ASSC volunteers are ready to create a fun and inviting place for students to learn and make new friends. If you are in the area and would like your student to join in on the fun, please complete the E-Permission slip here: TST.LINK/ASSCSignup.”
Satanic Temple leaders said the after-school program was requested by a parent who wanted an alternative to the Gospel-centric Good News Club.
“This particular parent was aware of the Good News Club and did not feel comfortable sending her children to the Good News Club and was more closely aligned with our seven tenets and our beliefs,” said Satanic Temple Campaign Director June Everett.
“So she reached out and asked if we can start an After School Satan Club at her kid’s elementary school, and so we went through the process and we lined up our volunteers to help with the club,” Everett stated. “And, of course, the school district understands constitutional law and the First Amendment, so they approved us without any issues.”
“I always have to explain to the Christians that you don’t have a monopoly on Satan,” Everett added. “We understand that he is a triggering, evil, terrible being in your biblical world. But in our world, we look to him differently. And we consider him the embodiment of standing up to radical authority.”
According to its website, the After School Satan Club “focuses on science, critical thinking, creative arts, and good works for the community.”
Lebanon Public Schools Superintendent Andrew Gonzales said in a statement, “The Lebanon Public Schools (LPS) allows outside organizations to use LPS facilities, in accordance with Board Policy 1007. As such, LPS must allow community organizations to access school facilities, without regard to the religious, political or philosophical ideas they express, as long as such organizations comply with the viewpoint-neutral criteria set forth in the policy. Not everyone will agree with, or attend meetings of, every group that is approved to use school facilities. However, prohibiting particular organizations from accessing our school buildings based on the perspectives they offer or express could violate our obligations under the First Amendment and other applicable law and would not align with our commitment to non-discrimination, equal protection and respect for diverse viewpoints.”
