‘After School Satan Club’ returns to California in October.
The After School Satan Club Returns to California Elementary School
In an exciting announcement on X, The Satanic Temple (TST) revealed that the After School Satan Club (ASSC) is making a comeback at Golden Hills Elementary School in Tehachapi, California, on Oct. 27.
The ASSC previously operated its after-school program at the school during the 2022–2023 school year, holding monthly meetings in the campus cafeteria.
According to June Everett, campaign director of the ASSC, the club was launched last winter after a parent who identified as a Satanist reached out to TST. The parent was dissatisfied with the offerings of the Christian-based after-school program, the Good News Club, and wanted an alternative club for her children.
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“The devil’s work is never done,” exclaimed Ms. Everett to The Epoch Times.
Brad Dacus of the Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) expressed concerns that TST aims to silence and intimidate Christian clubs by advocating for the removal of all religious clubs from campuses. He warned that calling for the expulsion of Satan clubs could inadvertently lead to the removal of Christian clubs, ultimately supporting TST’s agenda.
Mr. Dacus emphasized that PJI supports the Equal Access Act, which seeks to protect First Amendment rights in public schools. He clarified that PJI’s purpose is not to stifle speech.
“By law, the District cannot discriminate against any groups who wish to use our facilities,” stated Stacey Larson-Everson, superintendent of Tehachapi Unified School District. She added, “The Tehachapi Unified School District did not endorse the activities or intent of the After School Satan Club.”
According to Larson-Everson, students must have a signed permission slip from their parents to attend any after-school clubs. Although the ASSC received approval to distribute permission slips at the school, teachers were refusing to hand them out to students.
Sheila Knight, a concerned grandmother in Golden Hills, expressed her understanding of the school’s obligation to allow various after-school programs, including the Christian-based Good News Club. However, she questioned the decision to allow a satanic group and wondered why anyone would want their child to participate.
“Why would anyone not follow Jesus and want to follow Satan?” she pondered.
The ASSC engages students in various projects, such as creating smiley faces on rocks to distribute in the community, conducting science experiments with Da Vinci bridges, making pet accessories for animals at the Humane Society, crafting friendship bracelets, and participating in community service.
TST offers a coloring book featuring the ASSC, available for purchase on their website. The book’s cover showcases a child wearing a t-shirt with an upside-down pentagram and another child with a Baphomet, a goat-headed demon, on their shirt.
During the 2022–2023 school year, there were seven active ASSC clubs in the United States. TST also introduced a new club called the HAIL Club (Hellion Academy of Independent Learning), which meets at libraries.
This school year, ASSCs will be present in 12 schools across the United States. The club primarily targets students in kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade, with an average attendance of 5 to 10 children.
Kevin McGary, an ordained minister and president of the Frederick Douglass Foundation of California, expressed concern about the club’s focus on elementary school children. He emphasized that young minds are vulnerable and may not fully comprehend the consequences of their actions. McGary encouraged parents to hold schools accountable and consider transferring their children to schools without a Satan club.
In a surprising turn of events, a teacher from Golden Hills Elementary, who is also a Satanist, organized a back-to-school night in Lancaster, California, in response to the school promoting a four-day Bible Club. The teacher collaborated with the ASSC to provide an alternative event for her children to attend.
Mark Hopson of Decision Point revealed that during the 2022–2023 school year, students at Pioneer High School in San Jose, California, started a Satanic Temple Club. The students distributed flyers outlining TST’s core tenets and invited fellow students to join.
The club joined forces with a teacher to protest the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), a Christian club on campus, due to the FCA’s adherence to biblical teachings on gender, sexuality, and marriage.
Emily Mimnaugh, an attorney for Pacific Justice Institute, warned that TST is fundamentally opposed to Christianity.
She cautioned, “One thing I would warn in particular… One of the messages from the promoters of these clubs is that ‘we are not actually promoting Satanism, we are here to encourage religious liberty, freedom of thought.’ And you know, in my opinion, that’s like Chairman Mao saying he’s founding a communist club not to promote communism but to explore different theories of economics. Right. It’s absolute nonsense, and you need to be aware of it.”
One of the ASSC’s main goals is to foster critical thinking skills in children. Ms. Everett clarified that TST is non-theistic and does not believe in supernatural beings.
Mr. Dacus argued, “If they really wanted to just… promote open-mindedness, then they should call it the open-minded club.”
He contended that the use of the name “Satan Club” specifically targets Christians and accused TST of pushing radical leftist agendas.
Greg Young, a pastor and radio host, suggested that TST should change the name of their club to reflect their true intentions if they are not truly satanic.
TST has stated that it is not affiliated with The Church of Satan, although some members belong to both TST and The Church of Satan.
Ms. Everett clarified, “They are a recognized church under the eyes of the United States IRS.”
Lucien Greaves, founder of TST, revealed that the organization primarily consists of LGBTQ+ individuals who feel marginalized by traditional religious institutions.
Mr. Greaves emphasized their commitment to fighting for equal rights for the gay community, stating, “We’re all satanists and it’s not like we have ‘tolerance’ for trans people or gay people or sex workers, we just don’t [expletive] care, and a lot of people in those communities appreciate that.”
To challenge the views of the Westboro Baptist Church and Pastor Fred Phelps regarding the LGBT community, Mr. Greaves performed a ritual called Pink Mass at Mr. Phelps’s mother’s grave. The ritual involved wearing black horns and requesting supernatural beings to make Mr. Phelps’s mother gay in the afterlife.
Ms. Everett described the ceremony as a form of “trolling” aimed at Mr. Phelps and his beliefs. She emphasized that TST does not believe in the supernatural.
Additionally, TST has launched a tele-health abortion clinic in New Mexico, staffed by trained physician’s assistants who can legally prescribe abortion medication. The organization plans to establish more clinics across the nation, taking advantage of New Mexico’s laws allowing late-term abortions.
Mr. Young criticized TST for having hidden agendas, accusing them of aligning themselves with the LGBTQ agenda, drag queen culture, and Planned Parenthood. He argued that these agendas are anti-Christian and detrimental to children’s well-being.
Ms. Everett revealed that TST also conducts Black Mass ceremonies, which involve acts of blasphemy. She clarified that these ceremonies should not be confused with TST’s baptism ritual, where individuals become “unbaptized.” Black Mass ceremonies are typically the opposite of Catholic masses and involve destructive acts, such as pouring wine over a communion cake and sitting on it.
Mr. McGary dismissed TST’s claims of promoting open-mindedness and argued that they are teaching children to reject the idea of God. He warned that TST’s true intentions align with the father of lies, Satan.
How does the presence of various religious clubs, including the After School Satan Club, contribute to creating a diverse and inclusive society
Local shelter, and promoting critical thinking skills. The club aims to provide an alternative religious perspective and foster an environment of inclusivity and free thought.
While some community members have expressed concerns about the presence of the ASSC, it is important to remember that the United States Constitution protects the freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Just as Christian clubs have the right to exist and operate in public schools, so do clubs representing other religious or non-religious beliefs.
The After School Satan Club at Golden Hills Elementary School is not about worshiping the devil or promoting evil. It is about offering a different perspective and promoting critical thinking skills among students. It is a club that provides an opportunity for students to explore different beliefs and learn about different world views.
It is crucial for parents and community members to approach the topic with an open mind and engage in respectful conversations with their children about different religious beliefs. These discussions can help foster understanding, tolerance, and acceptance in a diverse society.
It is also worth noting that the After School Satan Club is not the only club available to students at Golden Hills Elementary School. Students have a wide range of options when it comes to after-school activities, including sports, arts, STEM, and other academic clubs. The ASSC is simply one of the many choices available to students who may be interested in exploring different religious or non-religious perspectives.
In conclusion, the return of the After School Satan Club to Golden Hills Elementary School in California has sparked conversations and debates among community members. It is important to remember that the freedom of religion and freedom of speech are protected rights in the United States. The presence of different religious clubs, including the ASSC, provides an opportunity for students to learn about and explore different beliefs and perspectives. Engaging in open-minded discussions and promoting understanding and acceptance are key to creating a diverse and inclusive society.
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