In a twist of irony, Portland elementary school students will soon have the chance to join an “After School Satan Club.” Yes, you read that right! This unusual initiative is largely a response to the efforts of evangelical Christians, which is quite the plot twist.
Back in 2001, a case propelled by legal advocacy groups from the religious right reached the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court ruled that excluding an after-school program based on its religious beliefs was a violation of free speech. Fast forward to 2011, and there were over 3,500 Good News Clubs operating in schools, funded by the Child Evangelism Fellowship, aimed at introducing children as young as five to a fundamentalist form of Christianity. Ironically, the push for these clubs has inadvertently paved the way for an After School Satan Club.
Why Not Have One?
So, why not have one? Many parents, myself included, would rather not have any particular religious ideology, whether Christian or otherwise, imposed on our kids. In this light, an After School Satan Club isn’t any more objectionable than a Good News Club. It might be surprising, but not everyone wants religious viewpoints that don’t align with their own around elementary schools.
Interestingly, many self-identified Satanists are actually atheists who hold beliefs that might not be too far from yours. They don’t worship Satan; rather, they focus on reason and critical thinking. Their approach, however, tends to raise eyebrows.
Promoting Free Inquiry
The After School Satan Club promotes free inquiry and rationalism, contrasting sharply with the Good News Clubs’ focus on instilling fear of Hell and divine punishment. The club’s mission is to foster an appreciation for the wonders of the natural world, not a dread of eternal damnation.
With nearly 23% of the U.S. population identifying as religiously unaffiliated, shouldn’t we reevaluate the role of religion in our public schools? Finn Rezz, the organizer behind the initiative, asserts that religious programs have no place in educational institutions. “We believe that after school religious programs don’t belong in the school system,” Rezz told local news.
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Conclusion
In summary, Portland’s After School Satan Club is a symbol of the ongoing debate surrounding religious influence in public education, sparked by the very initiatives that sought to promote evangelical Christianity. As society evolves, so do the conversations around what should or shouldn’t be allowed in schools.