The Satanic Temple plans to offer optional religious classes at elementary schools in Ohio.
The program is called Hellions Academy of Independent Learning (HAIL) and is offered to children at Edgewood Elementary School in the Marysville School District.
“We are not Satanists. We are non-theistic Satanists.”
June Everett, HAIL's program director, said: told WSYX-TV The idea is to allow students to learn concepts such as empathy, compassion and justice without religious coercion.
“When they hear it, it's shocking at first, oh, the Satanic Temple,” Everett explained. “They automatically think evil and scary things. We are not Satanists. We are atheistic Satanists.”
This program is offered as part of the Release Time Religious Instruction Program. Parents called on the Satanic Temple to create alternative education based on Satanic values and beliefs, as students are allowed to be released from school to study in Christian programs.
Community organizer Betty Elswick and another parent were called devil worshipers.
“We wanted to make sure we created a program that taught compassion, empathy, and inclusion,” Elswick told WSYX. “Some parents have expressed concern that when their children return home, they will be bullied, teased, or made fun of for not participating in other programs in the community. I did.”
Only four students have signed up for the devil's tutelage, but Elswick claims others have expressed interest.
“As long as there's one child attending and one family wanting to send their child, that's all we care about. We're not concerned about numbers,” she added. .
Some of the other concepts kids learn through the Devilish program include critical thinking, independent learning, compassion, and problem-solving skills.
WSYX said it reached out to Marysville Schools Superintendent Diane Allen for comment about the program but did not hear back.
The Satanic Temple announced in October that it would expand its abortion services from New Mexico to Virginia.
Interviews with Elswick and some parents included news video channel For WSYX on YouTube.
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