The Satanic Temple (TST) has announced plans to deploy its ministers as chaplains in schools across Oklahoma following the House’s recent legislation.
Senate Bill 36, which allows volunteer chaplains within educational institutions, passed the House and now awaits Senate approval.
If it passes the Senate, Oklahoma could see the bill enacted as soon as November 1.
The bill stipulates rigorous checks for those aspiring to be school chaplains.
According to Tulsa World, this bill would permit districts to hire paid or volunteer chaplains.
The requirements include an endorsement from a “faith group” confirming the individual is:
A minister, rabbi, priest, imam, lay leader, or similar functionary of the faith group, or a sensitive to religious pluralism and able to provide for the free exercise of religion by all students
Sensitive to religious pluralism and able to provide for the free exercise of religion by all students.
Representative Kevin West, R-Moore, who sponsored the bill in the House, compared chaplains to those serving in military or emergency services.
“A lot of the topics that chaplains wind up talking to people about are peer pressure, family issues, anger, grief, and loss,” West said, according to Tulsa World.
“Teachers are tested at the same level of stress and anxiety as first responders. One thing that’s missing that’s available to first responders? A chaplain.”
However, the Satanic Temple seized this opportunity to promote “religious plurality and community service.”
“While we would prefer states to invest in professional counselors over unlicensed religious support for students, we are prepared to adapt to these legislative conditions,” said Rachel Chambliss, TST’s Executive Director of Operations.
“We are committed to offering compassionate guidance to students who come to us so that we can help make positive changes in their lives by listening to their needs and providing support.
Chambliss said having TST Ministers in the state’s school system would aid in equal religious representation.
Opponents argued that trained counselors and psychologists are a better solution if that is the goal.
They said SB 36, at best, will have minimal impact. At worst, said Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, it is an attempt to further insert “Christian nationalism, Dominionism, the New Apostolic Reformation and the Seven Mountain Tenants” into public schools.
At a more basic level, opponents were concerned that bringing in a chaplain from one faith or faction would lead to community quarrels and create legal liabilities.
