Satan Worship and Primary Schools

 

Not a joke, not the Babylon Bee, this is the flyer from a real school in Chesapeake, Virginia, just four minutes from the Walmart where a store manger killed six November 22nd before taking his own life. Shocked parents then received this from the school’s principal (emphasis mine):

Dear Families,

Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS) is committed to open communication and transparency with our families. For that reason, you are receiving this letter to ensure you have accurate information.

The School District has long held policies and procedures in place which allow varied community groups to use our publicly funded facilities outside of the school day. This is common practice among school districts around the state and nation. Over the years, different religious groups have requested and been allowed to rent our facilities after hours. By law, CPS cannot discriminate based on beliefs among groups wishing to rent our facilities.

Consistent with the law as detailed above and the criteria set out in the CPS Board policy, the School District has approved a building use request from an organization known as the “After School Satan Club” (ASSC) to host gatherings after school hours at B.M. Williams Primary School. Students must have parental permission to attend any after school event hosted by any outside organization.

It is important to note that CPS does not endorse any of the activities or content of groups that host events on school district property outside the instructional day. It is also important to note that the ASSC is not a School District-approved club, and no District employee is acting as a club sponsor.

We understand that this decision may be surprising and possibly even upsetting to some. Please know that we are committed to working to minimize any distractions this news may create, while ensuring our focus is always on providing a safe and secure learning environment for our students.

Sincerely,

Brighid Gates, Principal

Well, I guess if they minimize the distractions it’s all good. After all, it’s “tons of fun”.

It has been obvious for some time that our institutions no longer serve us. Now they begin to provide useful clarity on who they now serve. If government run schools provide these kinds of results, isn’t it time we moved on from the experiment? Would even voucher programs be sufficient for parents to address this? Will agitated parents addressing school board meetings in response to this be harassed as domestic terrorists by the Biden Justice Department? Should any parent be forced to send their child to a school where the Brighid Gates’ of this society facilitate the access of Satanists to our children?

Prayers are welcome and appreciated.

Published in Religion & Philosophy
This post was promoted to the Main Feed by a Ricochet Editor at the recommendation of Ricochet members. Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.

There are 68 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik (View Comment):

    Charlotte (View Comment):

    Ekosj (View Comment):
    The mission of the Temple’s “Educatin’ With Satan” after-school program is to promote the intellectual and creative interests of students through self-directed education, rationalism and free inquiry.

    Then why not just do, you know, that? What does any of it have to do with (the commonly-understood concept of) Satan? It’s just so childish.

    Childish, but unfortunately opening the door to some pretty evil stuff.

    Doors opened a long time ago. Satan’s spawn have been shooting up schools ever since.

    • #31
  2. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Oik (View Comment):

    Charlotte (View Comment):

    Ekosj (View Comment):
    The mission of the Temple’s “Educatin’ With Satan” after-school program is to promote the intellectual and creative interests of students through self-directed education, rationalism and free inquiry.

    Then why not just do, you know, that? What does any of it have to do with (the commonly-understood concept of) Satan? It’s just so childish.

    Childish, but unfortunately opening the door to some pretty evil stuff.

    Yes, it seems that those who support free speech concerning satan don’t really believe he exists, and those who oppose it believe that satan and demons really exist and that any toying with the demonic, no matter how innocent one thinks it is, leads to truly demonic influences and behaviors.

    This is the challenge of the two world views — that good and evil are personal intrinsic psychological experiences and choices versus that good and evil are actual extrinsic spiritual forces — and has existed probably since the beginning of the human race. I doubt that legislating free expression of evil is what the Founders or the the function of English law ever intended.

    Maybe it means the government can’t outlaw it, but that doesn’t mean that good people shouldn’t shun it out of existence.

    If murder is illegal, it is because it is fundamentally evil.  People have the right to outlaw gross unmitigated evil.

    The question remains, honestly, what do —

    Benevolence and Empathy
    Critical Thinking
    Problem solving
    Creative Expression (or anything at all creative)
    Personal Sovereignty and
    Compassion

    have to do with the name satan, or “adversary”?

    It’s like making lollipops out of elderberry wine with one teaspoon full of arsenic, half a teaspoon full of strychnine, and just a pinch of cyanide — and calling them delicious and nutritious, mentally stimulating, expressive and compassionate tasty treats for children.

    • #32
  3. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    Vance Richards (View Comment):

    Well, if that’s allowed then church run clubs must also be allowed to meet on school grounds. Will they step up, or just complain?

    From wiki:

    After School Satan is an after school program project of The Satanic Temple, an American religious organization based in Salem, Massachusetts,[2] and is sponsored by Reason Alliance LTD, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.[3] It was created as an alternative to Christian-based after school groups, specifically at schools that host the Evangelical Good News Club.[4][5][6] The program neither teaches about Satanism nor attempts to convert club-goers; they instead teach about rationalism and understanding the world around us. It is against the beliefs of the Satanic Temple to teach religious practice in schools, which is opposite to how the Good News Club functions. The Satanic Temple rejects supernatural beliefs and views Satan as a literary symbol of rebellion against authority, not as a supernatural entity.[7]

    From the Belly Of The Beast itself (or its maw?):

    The After School Satan Clubs meet at select public schools where Good News Clubs and other religious clubs meet. Clubs are set up at the request of local parents, educators, or other community members that would like to see the program offered. Trained educators provide activities and learning opportunities, which students are free to engage in, or they may opt to explore other interests that may be aided by available resources. The environment is open and parents/guardians are welcome to participate. While the classes are designed to promote intellectual and emotional development in accordance with TST’s tenets, no proselytization or religious instruction takes place.

    Frankly I think they’re just trolling you.

     

     

     

    • #33
  4. EJHill+ Podcaster
    EJHill+
    @EJHill

    The IN school Satan Club has been operating so well, too…

    • #34
  5. Modus Ponens Inactive
    Modus Ponens
    @ModusPonens

    The more secular society becomes, the more situations like this will pop up. Liberty cannot long endure without religious virtue. Evil will twist anything to the destruction of the good, even liberty.

    • #35
  6. davenr321 Coolidge
    davenr321
    @davenr321

    The Girlie Show (View Comment):

    There was another hysterical post about this years ago. Instead of repeating myself, I’ll just link to my comments.

    The real issue is that the Temple of Satan is lame as hell.

    But yeah, horns up for Satan.

    Fun fact: Tom Araya is a Catholic and Trump supporter.

    Hanneman is dead from alcohol and collected Nazi stuff, King is a short, bald Church of Satan member. Nevertheless, their indefatigable production and work ethic should be appreciated.

    • #36
  7. E. Kent Golding Moderator
    E. Kent Golding
    @EKentGolding

    Sisyphus (View Comment):

    E. Kent Golding (View Comment):

    There are Roman Catholic, Lutheran & other non-government Christian schools. I believe that are fine Jewish schools. There are secular but non-crazy private schools that focus on educational achievement. They all cost money, but your children are worth it.

    Support voucher systems, charter schools. Fund the public schools at the level required for a good education, no more ( spending is not well correlated to results ).

    The issue with vouchers will be that government money comes with strings attached. If not yet, they will. Education mandates have already gutted many religiously run schools and enforced politically correct lies on them and their curriculum. They must comply or lose accreditation.

    Like Hillsdale, they can always refuse the money.   I still think the money should be offered.

    • #37
  8. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Featuring Friday Mexica Child Sacrifice to Huitzilopochtli.

    File:COM V2 D273 Prisoners for sacrifice were decorated.png

    • #38
  9. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    The country was founded on ordered liberty, not license.  Liberty ordered to the good of individuals, families, and society. 

    Yes, of course, they’re trolling conservatives and Christians. But, like all the sexual deviancy and transgender nonsense, the fact that our kids are targeted is vile and wicked. What do you call people corrupting and stealing the innocence of children? I call them evil. It isn’t cute or funny. It’s the sign of a culture rapidly approaching its demise.

    My kids are no longer school age so this is easy for me to say, but how any parent could subject her child to government schools is simply beyond my ability to fathom. Oh, the kids need socialization! BS. They need to not have their minds warped by Godless leftist sickos. 

    I’m at the point where I wouldn’t even trust public charter schools. Defund public education. And then burn it down and piss on the ashes. 

    • #39
  10. The Girlie Show Member
    The Girlie Show
    @CatIII

    davenr321 (View Comment):

    The Girlie Show (View Comment):

    There was another hysterical post about this years ago. Instead of repeating myself, I’ll just link to my comments.

    The real issue is that the Temple of Satan is lame as hell.

    But yeah, horns up for Satan.

    Fun fact: Tom Araya is a Catholic and Trump supporter.

    Hanneman is dead from alcohol and collected Nazi stuff, King is a short, bald Church of Satan member. Nevertheless, their indefatigable production and work ethic should be appreciated.

    I couldn’t find any evidence King was ever a member of the CoS. All I found was this article where he’s quoted, “I can get into anything I write about. I can write about serial killers; I can be a [redacted] Satanist. I’m not a Satanist, I’m an atheist, but I write the best satanic lyrics on the [redacted] planet.” As far as being short and bald, that’s just genetics.

    • #40
  11. E. Kent Golding Moderator
    E. Kent Golding
    @EKentGolding

    Why didn’t didn’t they just name it the After School Democratic Party Club and avoid all the controversy?

     

    • #41
  12. Ekosj Member
    Ekosj
    @Ekosj

    Zafar (View Comment):

    Vance Richards (View Comment):

    Well, if that’s allowed then church run clubs must also be allowed to meet on school grounds. Will they step up, or just complain?

    From wiki:

    After School Satan is an after school program project of The Satanic Temple, an American religious organization based in Salem, Massachusetts,[2] and is sponsored by Reason Alliance LTD, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.[3] It was created as an alternative to Christian-based after school groups, specifically at schools that host the Evangelical Good News Club.[4][5][6] The program neither teaches about Satanism nor attempts to convert club-goers; they instead teach about rationalism and understanding the world around us. It is against the beliefs of the Satanic Temple to teach religious practice in schools, which is opposite to how the Good News Club functions. The Satanic Temple rejects supernatural beliefs and views Satan as a literary symbol of rebellion against authority, not as a supernatural entity.[7]

    From the Belly Of The Beast itself (or its maw?):

    The After School Satan Clubs meet at select public schools where Good News Clubs and other religious clubs meet. Clubs are set up at the request of local parents, educators, or other community members that would like to see the program offered. Trained educators provide activities and learning opportunities, which students are free to engage in, or they may opt to explore other interests that may be aided by available resources. The environment is open and parents/guardians are welcome to participate. While the classes are designed to promote intellectual and emotional development in accordance with TST’s tenets, no proselytization or religious instruction takes place.

    Frankly I think they’re just trolling you.

     

     

     

    That is the attitude they are counting on.   It’s exactly how we got to where we are today.   Far to much go-along-to-get-along on our side…too much take-a-mile-if-given-an-inch on the other side.

    • #42
  13. David C. Broussard Coolidge
    David C. Broussard
    @Dbroussa

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio… (View Comment):

    This is what we were taught.  I think that it is false.  I think that it is among the worst of the terrible, radical ideas that arose out of the so-called Enlightenment and the disastrous French Revolution.

    We did not follow your rule in our country, until the mid-20th Century.  That is precisely when everything started going to Hell in a handbasket.

    Well, our culture was significantly more homogeneous prior to the 20th Century. When the Founders wrote the Constitution, did they envision that Muslims would also be protected?  Likely not. What about Hindus or Shintos?  Also no, but part of the amazing nature of their work is that we can be tolerant of many religions. The problem arises with Satanists and Patsafarians in that they aren’t actual religions, but rather one or more of mentally unstable people, grifters, comedians, or evangelicals atheists. 

    As someone else pointed out, our system requires a moral people, but we lack that inherent morality, undermined by the left for decades in favor of untrammeled personal satisfaction (such a easy sell also, yay).

    • #43
  14. Happy Grandma Lincoln
    Happy Grandma
    @jam

    Miffed White Male (View Comment): Just as Freedom of speech is only required for speech we don’t agree with [because nobody suppresses speech they agree with], Freedom of religion is only needed for religions that are unpopular.

    Is Satanism a religion? I don’t know what the legal definition is, but here is a definition that makes sense to me: “Religion is the moral virtue by which a person is disposed to render to God the worship and service he deserves.” (Source)

    • #44
  15. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    Happy Grandma (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment): Just as Freedom of speech is only required for speech we don’t agree with [because nobody suppresses speech they agree with], Freedom of religion is only needed for religions that are unpopular.

    Is Satanism a religion? I don’t know what the legal definition is, but here is a definition that makes sense to me: “Religion is the moral virtue by which a person is disposed to render to God the worship and service he deserves.” (Source)

    How do you feel about non-theistic religions, like Buddhism?

     

    • #45
  16. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    David C. Broussard (View Comment):

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio… (View Comment):

    This is what we were taught. I think that it is false. I think that it is among the worst of the terrible, radical ideas that arose out of the so-called Enlightenment and the disastrous French Revolution.

    We did not follow your rule in our country, until the mid-20th Century. That is precisely when everything started going to Hell in a handbasket.

    Well, our culture was significantly more homogeneous prior to the 20th Century. When the Founders wrote the Constitution, did they envision that Muslims would also be protected? Likely not. What about Hindus or Shintos? Also no, but part of the amazing nature of their work is that we can be tolerant of many religions. The problem arises with Satanists and Patsafarians in that they aren’t actual religions, but rather one or more of mentally unstable people, grifters, comedians, or evangelicals atheists.

    As someone else pointed out, our system requires a moral people, but we lack that inherent morality, undermined by the left for decades in favor of untrammeled personal satisfaction (such a easy sell also, yay).

    It is a problem with religions and beliefs that are hostile to our beliefs and even so hostile the two can’t live with each other.

    • #46
  17. Happy Grandma Lincoln
    Happy Grandma
    @jam

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    How do you feel about non-theistic religions, like Buddhism?

     

    Do Buddhists believe in God? I don’t think they do but I’m not really sure. A quick internet search indicated that they don’t.

    • #47
  18. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    Happy Grandma (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    How do you feel about non-theistic religions, like Buddhism?

     

    Do Buddhists believe in God? I don’t think they do but I’m not really sure. A quick internet search indicated that they don’t.

    That’s what “non-theistic” means.

    So how does that square with your definition of religion?  Would Buddhism be protected under your theory?

     

     

    • #48
  19. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Happy Grandma (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    How do you feel about non-theistic religions, like Buddhism?

     

    Do Buddhists believe in God? I don’t think they do but I’m not really sure. A quick internet search indicated that they don’t.

    Welcome back to the comments, Happy Grandma!  It’s been a while!

    • #49
  20. Happy Grandma Lincoln
    Happy Grandma
    @jam

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    That’s what “non-theistic” means.

    So how does that square with your definition of religion? Would Buddhism be protected under your theory?

     

    I’m just walking through this and I don’t have a theory worked out. I’m not a philosopher nor am I a theologian. I would like to see the word “religion” rehabilitated. Probably won’t happen but one can always dream.

    • #50
  21. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    Happy Grandma (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    How do you feel about non-theistic religions, like Buddhism?

     

    Do Buddhists believe in God? I don’t think they do but I’m not really sure. A quick internet search indicated that they don’t.

    My understanding is that there are Buddhists who have spiritual beliefs and there are people who follow Buddhist philosophies but do not believe in spirits or an afterlife.

    • #51
  22. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):
    My understanding is that there are Buddhists who have spiritual beliefs and there are people who follow Buddhist philosophies but do not believe in spirits or an afterlife.

    Buddhists believe in reincarnation, so no afterlife unless you attain enlightenment (I think).

    • #52
  23. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):

    Happy Grandma (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    How do you feel about non-theistic religions, like Buddhism?

     

    Do Buddhists believe in God? I don’t think they do but I’m not really sure. A quick internet search indicated that they don’t.

    My understanding is that there are Buddhists who have spiritual beliefs and there are people who follow Buddhist philosophies but do not believe in spirits or an afterlife.

    I’m not really interested in Buddhism, but there are many sects and opposing sects in Buddhism.  Most of them relate to existence after death, and incorporeal and spiritual matters rather than physical and philosophical.

    I generally consider, in common parlance, any belief in the spiritual and particularly the supernatural to be the key distinction of any religion.  However, believing the Bible, I view true religion this way, and it goes against the popular view:

    “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

    • #53
  24. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Zafar (View Comment):

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):
    My understanding is that there are Buddhists who have spiritual beliefs and there are people who follow Buddhist philosophies but do not believe in spirits or an afterlife.

    Buddhists believe in reincarnation, so no afterlife unless you attain enlightenment (I think).

    Reincarnation IS afterlife.  Physical life after physical life, which is life after death, then life again.  And this may include immortality of the soul, though the “soul” may be different than commonly perceived in the Christian West.

    And then there’s union with the godhead, which is life and existence, though perhaps not with any “soul-like” personal individuality.

    • #54
  25. Herbert defender of the Realm,… Member
    Herbert defender of the Realm,…
    @Herbert

    Vance Richards (View Comment):

    Well, if that’s allowed then church run clubs must also be allowed to meet on school grounds. Will they step up, or just co.  mplain?

     

    Right…. What’s good for the goose is good for that gander.  When you are forced to provide extracurricular after hours space to religious groups… you gotta expect other groups are join in on the fun.  

     

    • #55
  26. Herbert defender of the Realm,… Member
    Herbert defender of the Realm,…
    @Herbert

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio… (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio… (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment):

    The First Amendment applies to everyone.

     

    If you think that our Constitution requires government to be neutral between, literally, God and Satan, then I submit that your interpretation is flawed. I don’t think that this was the historical practice in this country. I think that it was a radical doctrine introduced by SCOTUS in the late 1940s.

     

    Just as Freedom of speech is only required for speech we don’t agree with [because nobody suppresses speech they agree with], Freedom of religion is only needed for religions that are unpopular.

     

    This is what we were taught. I think that it is false. I think that it is among the worst of the terrible, radical ideas that arose out of the so-called Enlightenment and the disastrous French Revolution.

    We did not follow your rule in our country, until the mid-20th Century. That is precisely when everything started going to Hell in a handbasket.In my view, this is an unwise Libertarian ideal built on a false understanding of American history. It has led to disaster. One might think that the proponents of this view would notice, and change course, but instead, they double down.

    Confronted by Satan worship, literally, they double down.

    How else could it work with a pluralistic society….. who gets to decide what are the acceptable belief systems?   Do they hold a local referendum to determine what the local standards are?

     

     

     

    • #56
  27. Herbert defender of the Realm,… Member
    Herbert defender of the Realm,…
    @Herbert

    Happy Grandma (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment): Just as Freedom of speech is only required for speech we don’t agree with [because nobody suppresses speech they agree with], Freedom of religion is only needed for religions that are unpopular.

    Is Satanism a religion? I don’t know what the legal definition is, but here is a definition that makes sense to me: “Religion is the moral virtue by which a person is disposed to render to God the worship and service he deserves.” (Source)

    Is Satan a fallen angel?  Is that considered a god?  

    • #57
  28. Sisyphus Member
    Sisyphus
    @Sisyphus

    Herbert defender of the Realm,… (View Comment):

    Happy Grandma (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment): Just as Freedom of speech is only required for speech we don’t agree with [because nobody suppresses speech they agree with], Freedom of religion is only needed for religions that are unpopular.

    Is Satanism a religion? I don’t know what the legal definition is, but here is a definition that makes sense to me: “Religion is the moral virtue by which a person is disposed to render to God the worship and service he deserves.” (Source)

    Is Satan a fallen angel? Is that considered a god?

    Satan is a fallen angel and they pose as a false gods when it suits them.

    • #58
  29. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Herbert defender of the Realm,… (View Comment):

    Happy Grandma (View Comment):

    Miffed White Male (View Comment): Just as Freedom of speech is only required for speech we don’t agree with [because nobody suppresses speech they agree with], Freedom of religion is only needed for religions that are unpopular.

    Is Satanism a religion? I don’t know what the legal definition is, but here is a definition that makes sense to me: “Religion is the moral virtue by which a person is disposed to render to God the worship and service he deserves.” (Source)

    Is Satan a fallen angel? Is that considered a god?

    No. An angel is a created being. God is the uncreated Creator. Totally different.

    What Satan is good at is making false promises to alleviate temporal suffering. Sound familiar?

    • #59
  30. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    • #60
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.