In a controversial step, an elementary school has decided to set up an After School Satan Club (ASSC) within its premises causing an uproar among the education and religious leaders in Tennessee, United States.
As reported by CBS News, the club has been planning to engage children in different activities after the Christmas break.
From January 10, the school will start holding a series of meetings which will run through the spring semester, added the outlet further quoting an announcement shared by various social media platforms on Tuesday (Dec 12).
Satanic Temple – which is a new religious movement that is primarily based in the United States – has been running the ASSC.
However, a flyer regarding the club has described the Satanic Temple as a non-theistic religion which sees Satan “as a literary figure who represents a metaphorical construct of rejecting tyranny and championing the human mind and spirit”.
The leaflet further stated that the club does not intend to convert children’s religion and make them follow any religious identity but is just offering activities that “emphasise a scientific, rationalistic, non-superstitious worldview”, as reported by CBS News.
trending now
-
)
Top 10 world news: Gaza is ‘integral part’ of Palestinian state, Prince Harry’s phone-hacking case, and more
-
)
Parasite black holes devouring stars from inside, says study
-
)
US plans to beat China in launch of secret space plane. SpaceX foils plan
-
)
Israel troops ‘mistakenly’ shot dead three Israeli hostages, says army
-
)
EXPLAINED: How will new Champions League group stage format work from 2024-25 season
-
)
Melania Trump makes rare public appearance, welcomes new US citizens
-
)
European research flags AI chatbots for providing false answers, particularly on elections
-
)
Indian govt issues security warnings for Samsung mobiles. Here’s all you need to know
-
)
Ukraine village council deputy detonates grenades in meet, 26 injured: Video
-
)
Premier League: Everton to stay at Goodison for 2024/25 season before move to new ground
-
)
Trigger warning: Pakistani man arrested for butchering children, eating their flesh
-
)
EXCLUSIVE | Lalrindika Khiangte: Man leading football revolution in India through young academy coaching style
-
)
IND vs SA ODI series 2023: Date, schedule, venue, squads & live-streaming details | All you need to know
-
)
Russia criticises IOC ruling on athletes to participate in Paris Olympics, terms decision as MOCKING
Parents and religious leaders express outrage over Satan club
In a statement, Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) said that the district provided the organisation with the space on rent as per its policy.
“As a public school district, we’re committed to upholding the principles of the First Amendment, which guarantees equal access to all non-profit organizations seeking to use our facilities after school hours. This means we cannot approve or deny an organization’s request based solely on its viewpoints or beliefs,” it said.
Watch: Few US adults want a Biden-Trump rematch, says survey
However, religious leaders and parents in Tennessee expressed their outrage at the recent development.
District board chair Althea E Greene, in a meeting with more than 40 pastors and other religious leaders, was quoted by The Guardian as saying, “Satan has no room in this district”.
“I’m about to come unglued right now. I cannot believe … this is a kindergarten-through-fifth-grade school and they’re letting a satanic club come in here?” said Jenny Kincaid, who is a student’s grandparent, as reported by CBS News.
(With inputs from agencies)
