What is 'After School Satan Club' and why is it creating an uproar?

The After School Satan Club, a group organised by 'The Satanic Temple', is set to visit Chimneyrock Elementary School in Cordova, Tennessee, next month but it has recently become the centre of yet another controversy.

Despite being named after Satan, it is a conservative Christian group that gained attention online earlier this week after sparking controversy over various issues.

The Satanic Temple is a non-theistic religion based in Salem, Massachusetts, known for its role in the 17th-century witch trials, The New York Times reported.

The Satanic Temple

The temple, which advocates for pluralism, secularism and religious rights, denies worshipping Satan.

The co-founder Doug Greaves, also known as Lucien Greaves, clarified that the temple doesn’t believe in the biblical depiction of Satan but uses the idea as a “mythical structure” to embolden individuals in questioning authority and aligning with “the best available evidence”.

“Satan”, Greaves explained, “represents the ultimate rebellion against tyranny.”

He also publicly asserts the temple’s commitment to challenging what he describes as “our theocratic overlords.”

The group has previously gained attention by setting up similar clubs in various school districts, challenging abortion laws in Indiana and Texas, and featuring symbols next to Christmas decorations in statehouses.

Recently, the temple displayed a ram's head symbolising Baphomet, an occult figure, in Iowa, accompanied by a placard absolving the US state of any association with the display.

The display was met with backlash from Republican Governor Kim Reynolds. It was also criticised by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and was recently vandalised by a 35-year-old man, Michael Cassidy.

Cassidy was charged with the act under the First Amendment of the Constitution which allows religious groups to rent government buildings and display holiday decor in public areas, ensuring their free practice.

After School Satan Club

The club was initiated in 2016 and, according to the Times, provides an alternative to after-school religious services, offering entertainment and educational activities like puzzles, scientific experiments and community volunteering.

There are four active clubs in California, Ohio, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, the Saucon Valley School District settled $200k with the temple after being accused of preventing the temple from using a middle school, where the Good News Club — a weekly religious programme for children — also convenes.

In 2001, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Good News Club vs. New York school district, stating that all public schools and religious activities should be treated equally under the law, potentially paving the way for the Satan club.

Recently, the club has secured permission to lease school premises, housing students from pre-kindergarten to grade five.

School management confirmed that the club has the same legal privileges to use school facilities post-school hours as any other nonprofit.

Interim Superintendent Toni Williams attended a press conference with Christian pastors, stating she was obliged to be present.

She added a caution, saying: “However, let’s not be tricked by recent events, that are a part of an agenda to put an end to all faith-based associations working in collaboration with our school district.”

Althea E. Greene, chairwoman of the Shelby County Board of Education, also a bishop and pastor at Real Life Ministries, encouraged individuals to pray and voice their concerns.

She affirmed that “there was no place for Satan in this district”.

Pastor William A. Adkins Jr. also voiced his concern stating that no ‘Satanic Temple’ should be allowed private time with adolescents. However, he wasn’t certain how this could be ensured without violating the constitution.

“They’ve used the Constitution against us and we’re trapped.” he reasoned.