According to lawyers representing Washington state’s Mount Vernon School District, Satanists must be allowed to start an after-school satanic club in their elementary and high schools.

Proposed two months ago by the The Satanic Temple – the merry band of elves conducting black masses on public property – the stated goal of this After-School Satan Club is to emphasize a “scientific, rationalist, non-superstitious world view” to combat the “twisted” agenda Christian after-school program that supposedly robs children “of the innocence and enjoyment of childhood, replacing them with a negative self-image, preoccupation with sin, fear of Hell, and aversion to critical thinking.”

Though the school district, and parents in general, don’t want Satanists starting an after-school program, MVSD legal spokesman says the Satanists must be allowed to go through with their proposal or “face costly litigation” that “would ultimately be unsuccessful” in any court battle.

“We believe that it’s clear that, because the district has a policy and procedure that encourages the use of community groups to use your facilities, because if you do that, you must open it to this group,” Forbes stated. “You don’t have to sponsor the group, you don’t have to help the group.”

TST spokesman Lucien Greaves explained they chose MSVD schools specifically because they allowed Christian after-school clubs. 

“All of the districts we’ve approached are nearby to local chapters of The Satanic Temple, and each school district has hosted, or is now hosting, Good News Clubs in their schools,” explained Greaves, noting that TST is “well aware that they are not at liberty to deny us use of their facilities, nor are they at liberty to deny us any level of representation in the schools that they afford to other school clubs.”

Parents have largely expressed worry and uniformly opposed the Satanist after-school program during a school board meeting just weeks ago.

“This is going to be infectious and widespread,” said Mike Cheek, whose grandchildren attend the school. “I know that if there is anything to do with Satan, it is dark and it is evil.”

Other parents were not so afraid.

“It feels like we’re all reacting with fear,”said parent Melissa McPhaden. “I’m not afraid of what this church can do, because I have a relationship with my children.”

“I think the reason the [temple] is here is because they wanted a reaction,” McPhaden continued. “And they got the reaction. I don’t think they want to start a satanic club in Mount Vernon.”

Proposals to ban all clubs have been rejected MSVD lawyers, saying legal problems could arise from that as well. 

“I think it’s not an option here,” Forbes said. “I believe in this particular case you would still face some litigation, not only from the Satanic Temple, but also from the Good News club.” 

http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/lawyers-agree-school-must-allow-satanists-club