In a surprising twist, Portland has given the green light for an “After School Satan Club” aimed at elementary students, a decision that ironically stems from the actions of evangelical Christians. Yes, you read that correctly!
This development can be traced back to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2001, which asserted that excluding after-school programs based on their religious beliefs infringed upon free speech rights. According to The Washington Post, this landmark decision led to the establishment of over 3,500 Good News Clubs by 2011, which are run by the Child Evangelism Fellowship and seek to introduce children as young as five to a fundamentalist Christian doctrine. Essentially, the push for religious inclusivity in schools has inadvertently paved the way for the After School Satan Club.
Why Not, Right?
Many parents, including myself, are just as opposed to having fundamentalist Christian ideologies imposed on their children as they are to any other religious beliefs. In that light, an After School Satan Club is no more controversial than a Good News Club. It may come as a shock, but not everyone wants their children exposed to religious views that differ from their own, especially in an elementary school setting.
Interestingly, adherents of the Satanic Temple, often self-identified atheists, hold beliefs that might align more closely with yours than you’d expect. Contrary to popular belief, they do not worship Satan; instead, their philosophy emphasizes reason and inquiry, which can be refreshing.
The Club’s Mission
The After School Satan Club aims to create an environment of rational thought and scientific understanding, unlike Good News Clubs, which tend to focus on fear-based indoctrination. The club promotes an appreciation for the natural world rather than a fear of supernatural consequences. Finn Rezz, a member of the organizing group Satanic Portland, states that the club is about maintaining a separation of church and state, asserting, “We believe that after-school religious programs don’t belong in the school system.”
Religious Affiliation in the U.S.
With nearly 23% of the U.S. population identifying as religiously unaffiliated, one might wonder if there is enough reason to keep religion out of public schools altogether. For more information on family planning and home insemination, check out our other blog posts at this link. You can also visit Make A Mom for authoritative insights on at-home kits. Additionally, IVF Babble is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination advice.
Conclusion
In summary, Portland’s approval of the After School Satan Club highlights the ongoing debate about religious expression in public schools. With a growing number of families identifying as non-religious, initiatives like this may serve as a counterbalance to more traditional religious programs in educational settings.