Satanic clubs, whose members do not worship the devil, usually formed in response to presence of religious groups in schools

Community members in a Tennessee school district want to banish Satan from their children’s halls after the formation of a new club was announced.

The After School Satan Club (ASSC) wants to establish a branch in Chimneyrock elementary school in the Memphis-Shelby county schools (MSCS) district.

The ASSC is a federally recognized nonprofit organization and national after-school program with local chapters across the US. The club is associated with the Satanic Temple, though it claims it is secular and “promotes self-directed education by supporting the intellectual and creative interests of students”.

The Satanic Temple makes it clear its members do not actually worship the devil or believe in the existence of Satan or the supernatural. Instead Satan is used as a symbol of free will, humanism and anti-authoritarianism.

    • Possibly linux@lemmy.zipEnglish
      115·
      11 months ago

      Well for one I pray for you if you think so poorly on Christianity or other religions for that matter.

      Anyway worshiping the devil is just silly at best and has no place in society. We have religious freedom but that shouldn’t apply at a school. Especially since these people sound completely nuts.

      • pinkdrunkenelephants@lemmy.world
        12·
        11 months ago

        Pray for me all you want, the only one who’s going to suffer from any of this is you. Personally, I feel flattered you’re wasting your positive energy on me.

      • MrGG@lemmy.ca
        4·
        11 months ago

        What if God’s real test is being able to think critically for yourself, not giving into idolatry (ie the church), and actually appreciating the message that Satan was trying to provide us? It’d be real awkward if the true entrants into heaven end up being not devout Christians, but free-thinking Satanists. 😁

        • Possibly linux@lemmy.zipEnglish
          13·
          11 months ago

          You can be a free thinking Christian as well. It really depends on your denomination. We are not all devoted Catholics you know.