Chimneyrock Elementary School in Memphis issued a statement after an “After School Satan Club” organized by the Satanic Temple and Reason Alliance is scheduled to take place on school grounds next month.
On its website, the Satanic Temple – the primary religious Satanic organization in the world – says its mission is to “encourage benevolence and empathy, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense, oppose injustice, and undertake noble pursuits.”
Chimneyrock Elementary School released the following statement on Tuesday morning via Facebook:
Dear Chimneyrock Family,
We understand that some of you have questions regarding the recent approval of a facility rental to The Satanic Temple, a federally recognized non-profit organization.
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 a request based solely on the organization’s viewpoints or beliefs.
Board Policy 7002 outlines this commitment, allowing community groups and government entities to rent school property outside of school hours. These gatherings are not school-sponsored and are not endorsed or promoted by Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
The Satanic Temple, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) public charity, falls under this policy and has the same legal rights to use our facilities after school hours as any other non-profit organization. It will be renting the facility in January, after school. You may read more about the organization in an online news story from the Washington Post.
We understand that this topic may raise questions. Thank you for your understanding and continued partnership.
The Satanic Temple said its after-school club, scheduled for January 10 in the elementary school’s library, will “create a fun and inviting place for students to learn and make new friends.”
After School Satan Club is coming to Tennessee!
The state's first ASSC will launch on on January 10th at Chimneyrock Elementary.
If you'd like to help provide needed supplies for TN's first ASSC, please visit our Amazon Wish List: https://t.co/3pSkBZLepx pic.twitter.com/cbAEyrfkK7
— The Satanic Temple (@satanic_temple_) December 12, 2023
A flier for the event reads, “HEY KIDS! LET’S HAVE FUN AT AFTER SCHOOL SATAN CLUB!”
The Satanic Temple said the after-school club will feature “science and community service projects, puzzles and games, nature activities, arts and crafts, snacks, and tons of fun.”
The Satanic Temple also said children who attend the club will learn “benevolence and empathy, critical thinking, problem solving, creative expression, personal sovereignty, and compassion.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Chimneyrock Elementary School” by MSCS-Chimneyrock Elementary School.
no you have to be an irreligious or anti-white organization, like this one, to get approval
Once Again THE LEFT (aka COMMUNISTS) is attempting to use our Bill of Rights to impose their sickness on our innocent children. PARENTS MUST STAND UP AGAINST THIS DISGRACE.
This Satanic Temple lunacy sounds like something U S Representative Steve Cohen would embrace. I would suppose that’s why a Memphis school was selected.
Satan Worship is normt religious freedom. Satanism is a Cult, not a religion.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT CANNOT BE USED TO ABUSE AMERICAN CITIZENS, especially minors. AMERICA IS FOUNDED AS A JUDEA/CHRISTIAN NATION.
Harvard President Clsudine Gay ( plagiarism in chief) tried to do the same thing this week when she used it to say genocide of Jews is Free Speech. Harvard received the lowest grade in the Nation (-12) when it comes to free speech.
NOTICE TO U S CONGRESS & STATE LEGISLATORS.
We need legislation to stop this PRONTO.
People in Tennessee : Call your U S Representatives & Senators as well as your State Representatives & Senators. Get them involved.
so, if the KKK registers as a 501(c)(3), then they can create after school clubs? How about some made up Nazi organization? All you need is 501(c)(3) status and you’re in.