A “Satan Club” is set to start this Friday at an elementary school in Lebanon, Connecticut.
The club is sponsored by the Satanic Temple, which has chapters internationally. Supporters of the club have cited its founding as a counter to the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) “Good News Club” that already exists at the school.
This past week, both concerned parents and supporters of the After School Satan Club spoke up at the Lebanon Board of Education Meeting.
The club emerged at the request of Julie Valo, a parent who is a member of the Satanic Temple. Valo explained, “My goal in starting this club is to create a more diverse balance to our offered extracurricular activities.” She told the board that 12 kids have signed up for the club so far.
Inclusion and the First Amendment rights of the Satanic Temple were among the reasons given in support of the club. The Satanists claim that it will promote compassion, benevolence, and community through craft projects and activities. According to them, Satanism is not taught, and Satan is viewed as a mere “literary figure.”
Many were not convinced and spoke adamantly against the idea of an elementary club promoting Satan. Parents expressed concern with the fact that flyers for the club were sent home directly with their children, rather than emailed to the parents. Some parents felt that this sent a message of endorsement from the school and questioned why teachers gave their children flyers if the club is not affiliated with the school.
In Pennsylvania, an After School Satan Club was paid $200,000 after being challenged by the Lehigh Valley school district. Following the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawsuit, it was found that the district must give the club the same school access as other organizations.
Legally, the clubs have a right to meet after school. However, parents and community members also have a right to challenge them and express opposition. Our laws have not changed, but the moral vision that used to unify us has.
Watch the full video to find out more.
A contributor for The American Spectator, Grace Reilly is a senior at Grove City College, where she is a marketing fellow at the Institute for Faith and Freedom. In her role as a fellow, she is the host of the Post-Roe America Conference Series and Meet the Scholars and co-host of the Liberty Mail podcast. Grace has appeared on Fox News, Newsmax, and America’s Voice News, in addition to a variety of podcasts, radio, print, and television in her home state of Connecticut. Follow her on Instagram @conservativegrace and on Twitter @conservgrace.
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