Is Satan coming to your school?
On May 1, following a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union and sponsor The Satanic Temple, a federal court ruled that the Saucon Valley School District in Pennsylvania allow a self-proclaimed satanic club to meet on school property. (Warning: This source contains explicit language.)
When the After School Satan Club’s application to hold meetings at Saucon Valley Middle School was approved on February 16, the school received an anonymous mass shooting threat and a subsequent flood of correspondence protesting its decision. On February 24, the school district decided to cancel approval of the club’s application. Its reason became the main contention in the lawsuit.
According to the ACLU’s official press release, while “the district contends that it rescinded approval for the ASSC because the group failed to make clear on a permission slip that the club is not sponsored by the district, the court ultimately determined that the claim was a pretext meant to cover up the district’s discrimination against the group’s religious beliefs,” thus violating the First Amendment of the Constitution.
The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Presiding Judge John M. Gallagher ruled, “When confronted with a challenge to free speech, the government’s first instinct must be to forward expression rather than quash it. Particularly when the content is controversial or inconvenient. Nothing less is consistent with the expressed purpose of American government to secure the core, innate rights of its people.”
As a result of the court’s decision, the After School Satan Club was allowed to book the school’s facilities for three new dates.
Christian Target
While the ruling is only a preliminary, not a permanent, injunction, the case nonetheless prompts a deeper look into the After School Satan Club and its backer The Satanic Temple.
Interestingly enough, The Satanic Temple’s own website explains, “The After School Satan Club does not believe in introducing religion into public schools and will only open a club if other religious groups are operating on campus.” Regarding this latest case, Sara Rose, Pennsylvania ACLU’s deputy director, commented that “the most powerful piece of evidence … on the Satanic Temple’s side” had to do with the Good News Club, a Christian group which met “in the same room at essentially the same time after school. One was okay and one wasn’t,” thereby “[proving] a double standard.” In fact, the Satanic Temple sparred with another school, B.M. Williams Primary in Chesapeake, Virginia, over the same issue of meeting venues earlier this year, with the catalyst being none other than the Good News Club: “An email promoting the evangelical group … came to parents from the principal,” prompting one parent to contact the After School Satan Club.
With these situations, one begins to wonder if the religion of Christianity isn’t being made into some kind of target, ironically under the banner of religious liberty. Bible scholars know that at the end of time, those who follow the God of the Bible will be persecuted worldwide for their faith (Revelation 13:15–17). By watching our free presentation “The Final War over Worship,” you’ll learn exactly what brings about this last-day lack of religious liberty.
Godly Education
Perhaps what is most fascinating is The Satanic Temple’s claim as “the primary religious Satanic organization in the world[,] with congregations internationally.” The organization also promotes enrollment in its Hellion Academy of Independent Learning (HAIL), “a released time program for students in grades K-5.” The After School Satan Club’s mission statement insists that “proselytization is not [its] goal.” Is indoctrination any better? With what information is The Satanic Temple filling young, impressionable minds?
The Satanic Temple believes Satan to be “a literary figure who represents a metaphorical construct of rejecting tyranny and championing the human mind and spirit.” As such, it has made its mission: “to encourage benevolence and empathy, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense, oppose injustice, and undertake noble pursuits.” The ACLU’s press release labels much of this list, along with “compassion,” as “Satanic virtues.”
Thus, Satan is trivialized as a fictitious character with no real influence over your life. Moreover, he is idolized for characteristics which Scripture clearly defines as belonging to God. The Bible says that the Lord’s “compassions fail not. They are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22, 23). The Bible says, “For all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He” (Deuteronomy 32:4). It is God who says to us, “Come now, and let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18). It is God who says, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).
And isn’t that just the deception that the Bible predicts of Satan? “Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), living out his long-coveted fantasy of supplanting God as king (Isaiah 14:12–14).
Don’t fall for the devil’s trap. Taste and see for yourself that it is the Lord—and only the Lord—who is good (Psalm 34:8). Start with our free presentation and discover who gives you true “Freedom and Liberty.”
The Bible says, “Overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). The devil may be taking over school, but we may claim the victory by educating our children about the greatest Good the world has ever known—our God.