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Satan in Our Public Schools
According to this report in the Washington Post, the Satanic Temple is launching a drive to start after-school Satan clubs in elementary schools across the nation. It seems obvious from their point of view:
They’re here plotting to bring their wisdom to the nation’s public elementary school children. They point out that Christian evangelical groups already have infiltrated the lives of America’s children through after-school religious programming in public schools, and they appear determined to give young students a choice: Jesus or Satan.
The Supreme Court opened the doors of schools to religious clubs in 2001 in its Good News Club v. Milford Central School decision. The majority held that banning a religious club from meeting after hours on school grounds was impermissible viewpoint discrimination in violation of the 1st Amendment’s free speech clause. Taking the goose/gander approach, the Satanic Temple has set out to balance the views of what the article characterizes as “a fundamentalist form of evangelical Christianity.”
According to the article:
The Satanic Temple makes no secret of its desire to use that same approach. “We would like to thank the Liberty Counsel specifically for opening the doors to the After School Satan Clubs through their dedication to religious liberty,” Greaves explained to the gathering of chapter heads in Salem. “So, ‘the Satanic Temple leverages religious freedom laws that put after-school clubs in elementary schools nationwide.’ That’s going to be the message.”
However, I wonder if this is using a tool in a manner counter to its purpose and design. These Satanists do not present themselves as a religion and seem to only desire to counter religion in the public square.
But the group’s plan for public schoolchildren isn’t actually about promoting worship of the devil. The Satanic Temple doesn’t espouse a belief in the existence of a supernatural being that other religions identify solemnly as Satan, or Lucifer, or Beelzebub. The Temple rejects all forms of supernaturalism and is committed to the view that scientific rationality provides the best measure of reality.
According to Mesner, who goes by the professional name of Lucien Greaves, “Satan” is just a “metaphorical construct” intended to represent the rejection of all forms of tyranny over the human mind.
…
The blend of political activism, religious critique and performance art that characterizes the After School Satan Club proposal is not a new approach for the Satanic Temple. It is just the most recent in a series of efforts that have made the Temple famous and notorious.
In the end, the purpose becomes clear. The Satanic Temple is not a separate religion competing for public space in which to proclaim its beliefs. Were it that I would climb atop the soap box with them and lend my support for their cause even though I disagree absolutely with the substance of their beliefs. Rather, it is an anti-religious organization seeking not the promotion of free speech but the silencing of speech with which its members disagree. They do not wish to win the battle of ideas through fair play but seek merely to force a forfeit by destroying the field.
Published in General
Our core belief is that All men are Created equal. That is what America is about, if anything. That means I cannot impose my religion on you. If I threaten to behead you if you won’t convert, then my religion is not equal to the task of existing in a democracy. No?
I’m not judging their level of sincerity. I’m just reporting what they say about themselves. They’re very honest about not being a religion.
The line ““Satan” is just a “metaphorical construct” intended to represent the rejection of all forms of tyranny over the human mind.” is where I got libertine from. I’m thinking community morals are included in “all forms of tyranny over the human mind.” If that’s not the case then you’re right – libertine may not be a good fit. Maybe will-to-power materialists is better?
I don’t think I made any claim of worth beyond anecdote, which of course you are free to take or leave. I wish I could provide more details but alas a quick search didn’t bear fruit. From my understanding of satanism, though, disbelief in the Judeo-Christian view of sin certainly happens and wouldn’t be that great a slander/straw man to say.
From their site’s FAQ, in response to the question, “If you do not believe in the supernatural, how is TST a religion?”:
[Cont.]
[Cont.]
I have my doubts about how devoted they are and find it improbable the organization will stay around for the long-term, but the same is true of many liberal sects of Christianity. You’re correct that their objective with starting the club is not peaceful coexistence. Two scenarios could play out:
Why continue the debate on their terms? They want to talk about religion in schools. Let’s talk about government in schools. There’s the possibility to satisfy those who don’t want tax dollars near religion, and for those who want to raise their children with religious values. Let the Catholic Church and Satan’s School for Girls compete for parents’ money. If a school doesn’t meet your standards, you’re not forced to support it. Sure, rabble-rousers will still exist, but they’ll find it much tougher to make their case.
Sorry to disappoint. I’d be hard-pressed to pay the $200 membership fee, not that I’m really interested anyway. I am interested in accuracy, though. And media hysteria has claimed victims.