An After School Satan Club plans to begin offering activities to children at a Tennessee elementary school following Christmas break, officials said, and the move immediately proved controversial.
The Satanic Temple plans to host the club at Chimneyrock Elementary School in Cordova, news outlets reported. It will begin meeting on Jan. 10 in the school’s library and run through the spring semester, according to an announcement Tuesday posted on social media.
A flyer about the club says the Satanic Temple is a non-theistic religion that views Satan “as a literary figure who represents a metaphorical construct of rejecting tyranny and championing the human mind and spirit.”
It says it doesn’t attempt to convert children to any religious ideology, but offers activities that “emphasize a scientific, rationalistic, non-superstitious worldview.”
Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) said in a statement that the district would rent out the space to the organization per its policy.
“As a public school district, we’re committed to upholding the principles of the First Amendment, which guarantees equal access to all non-profit organizations seeking to use our facilities after school hours,” the statement said.
“This means we cannot approve or deny an organization’s request based solely on its viewpoints or beliefs.” CBS Memphis affiliate WREG-TV reports that Interim MSCS Superintendent Toni Williams, surrounded by a group of faith leaders, said at a news conference Wednesday that, “I want to assure you that I do not endorse, I do not support the beliefs of this organization at the center of the recent headlines.
I do, however, support the law. As a superintendent, I am duty-bound to uphold our board policy, state laws and the constitution.” “I challenge you not to push away in fear, but to push in with support,” Williams said. “We can support the First Amendment and our students at the same time.”
The station says the club intends to have activities such as science and community service projects, puzzles and games, nature activities, and arts and crafts.
