There's a devil of a controversy is brewing in the Lebanon School District Thursday night.A nonprofit known as "The Satanic Temple After-School Satan Club" has rented space in a local grade school for monthly after-school activities. That's got parents responding to those in charge of the district with fire and brimstone.But legally the district's hands appear to be tied.When parents discovered a flyer circulating Thursday that promoted the Satan Club's arrival, there was "shock" and "anger" as one parent put it. She spoke to us on the condition that she remain anonymous.She saw how the flyer reads like a scouting club poster.One line reads "Science Projects! Puzzles & Games! Arts and Crafts Projects! Nature Activities!"That sounds harmless enough. But it's the name itself and the logo that drives some parents to a point of outrage."Hey Kids, let's have fun at After School Satan Club!"The program is open to grades one through five at Donovan Elementary School in the cafeteria for about an hour after school starting next Thursday, Jan. 27.The mom of a student there told us she didn't think it was age-appropriate."They're very impressionable and it's just very uneasy for everybody," she said.So uneasy, Superintendent Isaac Seevers issued a statement saying, in part, the club "...is NOT a district or school-sponsored event. Lebanon City Schools do not endorse the activities or intent of this group or any other religiously affiliated groups offering after-school activities."The flyer tells parents their child will learn about benevolence and empathy, critical thinking, problem-solving, creative expression and personal sovereignty."You know, I think the concept is there," the mother who didn't want to be identified told us. "With Lebanon being so conservative and most of our residents being conservative, I don't think it's the right club for third and fourth graders."A parental permission slip would be needed for a child to attend the sessions.In spite of the uproar, the Satan Club appears to be on solid legal ground. Donovan Elementary has provided space for a Christian Good News program for years.A generation ago, the Supreme Court ruled if you rent to secular groups you can't keep religious groups like Good News out. You either rent to everyone or you'd have to rent to no one."Exactly," the mother said to us. "And I think we would choose the latter."Three conservative Supreme Court Justices, Clarence Thomas, William Rehnquist and Antonin Scalia, joined in the majority opinion back in 2001 to set the ground rules for such cases, ensuring the right to allow religious groups to rent space in public schools.In recent years, wherever the Good News Club, an evangelistic Christian nonprofit, situates The Satanic Temple After School Satan Club is certain to try to follow.Despite the name, which many families find repugnant, the group's mission statement said it does not try to convert children to Satanism.In fact, the club doesn't regard Satan as real, merely using the image as a representation of iconoclast thinking and rebellion.The group states its intent is to promote free inquiry, rationalism, and science. If you believe the devil's in the details, so to speak, the 2019 film documentary "Hail Satan" could prove to be revealing and at least thought-provoking.According to the statement from Seevers, a local resident and taxpayer in the district asked for a chapter to be started at Donovan Elementary. The requisite forms and documents were filled out and approval was given.
There's a devil of a controversy is brewing in the Lebanon School District Thursday night.
A nonprofit known as "The Satanic Temple After-School Satan Club" has rented space in a local grade school for monthly after-school activities. That's got parents responding to those in charge of the district with fire and brimstone.
But legally the district's hands appear to be tied.
When parents discovered a flyer circulating Thursday that promoted the Satan Club's arrival, there was "shock" and "anger" as one parent put it. She spoke to us on the condition that she remain anonymous.
She saw how the flyer reads like a scouting club poster.
One line reads "Science Projects! Puzzles & Games! Arts and Crafts Projects! Nature Activities!"
That sounds harmless enough. But it's the name itself and the logo that drives some parents to a point of outrage.
"Hey Kids, let's have fun at After School Satan Club!"
The program is open to grades one through five at Donovan Elementary School in the cafeteria for about an hour after school starting next Thursday, Jan. 27.
The mom of a student there told us she didn't think it was age-appropriate.
"They're very impressionable and it's just very uneasy for everybody," she said.
So uneasy, Superintendent Isaac Seevers issued a statement saying, in part, the club "...is NOT a district or school-sponsored event. Lebanon City Schools do not endorse the activities or intent of this group or any other religiously affiliated groups offering after-school activities."
The flyer tells parents their child will learn about benevolence and empathy, critical thinking, problem-solving, creative expression and personal sovereignty.
"You know, I think the concept is there," the mother who didn't want to be identified told us. "With Lebanon being so conservative and most of our residents being conservative, I don't think it's the right club for third and fourth graders."
A parental permission slip would be needed for a child to attend the sessions.
In spite of the uproar, the Satan Club appears to be on solid legal ground. Donovan Elementary has provided space for a Christian Good News program for years.
A generation ago, the Supreme Court ruled if you rent to secular groups you can't keep religious groups like Good News out. You either rent to everyone or you'd have to rent to no one.
"Exactly," the mother said to us. "And I think we would choose the latter."
Three conservative Supreme Court Justices, Clarence Thomas, William Rehnquist and Antonin Scalia, joined in the majority opinion back in 2001 to set the ground rules for such cases, ensuring the right to allow religious groups to rent space in public schools.
In recent years, wherever the Good News Club, an evangelistic Christian nonprofit, situates The Satanic Temple After School Satan Club is certain to try to follow.
Despite the name, which many families find repugnant, the group's mission statement said it does not try to convert children to Satanism.
In fact, the club doesn't regard Satan as real, merely using the image as a representation of iconoclast thinking and rebellion.
The group states its intent is to promote free inquiry, rationalism, and science.
If you believe the devil's in the details, so to speak, the 2019 film documentary "Hail Satan" could prove to be revealing and at least thought-provoking.
According to the statement from Seevers, a local resident and taxpayer in the district asked for a chapter to be started at Donovan Elementary. The requisite forms and documents were filled out and approval was given.
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