Ohio schoolchildren can now spend part of their school day studying the teachings of the Satanic Temple through the state's religious liberation program.
Temple Hellion Academy of Independent Learning (HAIL); announced Starting in December, the school will offer classes once a month during school hours to students at Edgewood Elementary School in Marysville.
The new off-campus classes replace Bible studies offered through the Religious Liberation Program and were prompted by requests from local parents, Satanic Temple leaders said.
June Everett, an ordained minister at the Satanic Temple, said: WCMH Channel 4 It was her parents who approached her with the idea of introducing HAIL into their school.
The request came as parents were looking for an alternative to Lifewise Academy, a Christian program in Ohio that takes participating students outside of class for 55 minutes once a week to study the Bible. .
Headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio, LifeWise serves more than 170 school districts in Ohio.
“We're not trying to close Lifewise Academy, but what many school districts don't realize is that when you open the door to one religion, you open the door to all religions. I think so,” Everett said.
This eyebrow-raising Satanic Temple program is not affiliated with or endorsed by local school districts or school board members, and its teachings do not resemble the red horns associated with its name. He is far from a leader.
According to the flyer, HAIL aims to strengthen students' “critical thinking,” “good behavior in the community,” “compassion and empathy,” “independent learning,” and “creative expression.”
“We are not Satanists. Different Satanists across the United States will give different answers depending on what they personally believe,” Everett said. Wass.
“But overall, we are atheistic, which means we don't believe in any supernatural deity. That includes God and the devil.”
Lifewise Academy leaders, including CEO Joel Penton, said the program offered by HAIL is just further evidence that the state Legislature should pass the bill. HB445This will “bring greater clarity” to the public hours religious instruction program.
“LifeWise is not afraid of services provided by other organizations. [released time religious instruction]” Penton said in a statement to WOSU.
“We believe all families should have the opportunity to choose religious studies during school hours, and we believe parents will make the best choice for their children.”
The proposed bill makes one change to the existing bill that authorizes the program in the first place. This bill would remove the word “may” and replace it with “shall,” which would allow all school districts to implement policies allowing students to leave school for religious instruction rather than voluntarily. request that it be adopted.
