In a surprising turn of events, Portland has approved the establishment of an “After School Satan Club” for elementary students, a decision that ironically stems from the actions of evangelical Christian groups. Yes, you read that correctly.
To understand this development, we must look back at a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court case from 2001, which was influenced by legal advocacy from the religious right. The court ruled that excluding an after-school program based on its religious affiliations infringed upon free-speech rights. Fast forward to 2011, and the number of Good News Clubs—sponsored by the Child Evangelism Fellowship and designed to introduce children as young as five to a fundamentalist version of Christianity—ballooned to 3,560. It’s fair to say that the push for these programs inadvertently paved the way for the After School Satan Club.
Why an After School Satan Club?
So, why not have such a club? Many parents, including myself, feel as strongly about not having fundamentalist Christian ideologies imposed on our children as we would about any other religion. From this perspective, an After School Satan Club is just as valid—or invalid—as a Good News Club. Surprising, right? Not every family subscribes to the same beliefs, and many prefer to keep religious views out of elementary education.
Interestingly, some proponents of the Satanic Temple identify as atheists and advocate for values that might not be too far removed from more mainstream beliefs. Contrary to popular misconception, they don’t worship Satan; rather, they promote critical thinking and rational inquiry, which some find unsettling.
Goals of the After School Satan Club
The After School Satan Club aims to encourage curiosity and an appreciation for the natural world, rather than instilling fear about eternal damnation, contrasting sharply with the indoctrination methods often employed by Good News Clubs. As stated on their website, “We prefer to give children an appreciation of the natural wonders surrounding them, not a fear of everlasting other-worldly horrors.”
It’s worth noting that approximately 23% of the U.S. population identifies as religiously unaffiliated. This raises the question: should public schools, which are funded by taxpayer dollars, be a venue for any religious instruction at all?
Community Response
The initiative is being spearheaded by a local organizer named Alex Turner, who clarifies that the club is not about devil worship but rather about maintaining the separation of church and state. “Religious programs don’t belong in schools,” Turner explains, emphasizing a growing sentiment among many parents today.
Further Reading and Resources
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Conclusion
In summary, the approval of the After School Satan Club in Portland serves as a striking manifestation of the ongoing debate on the role of religion in public education, igniting discussions about free speech, parental rights, and the diverse beliefs held by families today.
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