The Satanic Temple (TST) continues to expand its presence in public schools across the United States with its latest additions. Hellion Independent Learning Academy (HAIL) After School Program.
According to TST, this initiative It means To counter the Christian Release Time Religious Instruction (RTRI) program, which allows students with parental permission to leave campus for one hour each week for religious instruction. The group argued that expanding Christian RTRI programs such as Joy-L Club and Lifewise Academy across the country would exclude non-Christians and promote Christianity. Therefore, we aim to provide a comprehensive alternative through our hail program.
”i am sad “These programs feel the need to use peer pressure to gain followers of their religion,” said Erin Herrian, director of campaign operations for TST. “No matter how you judge it, it doesn't look good to prey on children by bribing them on field trips.” And snacks. ”
What Herrian is trying to suggest here is that these Christian clubs use coercion as a means of producing converts through their activities. But that's not the case. for Christians know that all we can do is preach the gospel and surrender to God's work (1 Corinthians 3:16-8). At the end of the day, All we can do is share the good news and pray for those who witnessed it.
As TST grows in schools and society in general, Christians need to be aware of it and address the issue in a Biblical manner.
that being toldhow can Christians deal with this problem?
Godless worldview
First of all, TST, founded in 2013, is atheistic. in nature offers a more humane approach when it comes In life, such as logic and reason. What Christians need to understand is that as humans without Christ, that is not enough. I'm still confused in their sins. Additionally, they are against God, especially atheists who oppose the existence of God. However, as the Apostle Paul says in his letter to the Romans, “Though they knew God, they did not worship him as God, nor were they thankful, but in their thoughts and foolish hearts they became unprofitable.” It became.” It got dark” (Romans 1:21). It's not that they don't believe in God, it's that they refuse to honor and give thanks to God. They continue to live without God because they want nothing to do with God.
Because of their atheistic worldview, they insist on bodily autonomy. Not long ago they opened More than a year after opening its first facility in New Mexico, the company performed its second telemedicine abortion in Virginia. The facility, like the first, will be “free,” according to a press release, and is an effort to push back against abortion regulations in the wake of President Roe V. Wade's overturn in 2022.
“As abortion rights remain a central issue in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, we remain steadfast in our mission to expand access and protect bodily autonomy,” the group concluded. “We recognize the urgency of this work and we will not stop until we make lasting change.”
Abortion and the dignity of life
TST's promotion of abortion is in stark contrast to the Biblical worldview, which affirms the sanctity of life. all people is made In the image of God (Genesis). Therefore, they have dignity and value. The psalmist David said: Psalm 139“I praise you; I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (v14). In the previous verse, he acknowledges that God is responsible for creating man from the moment he is in his mother's womb, saying, “You formed my inner parts and knit me in my mother's womb.” ”
With that in mind, Christians can understand the sanctity of life when they understand that God's hand is involved. prior to The moment of birth. Therefore, performing an abortion is also an attack on God's work in the fetus. This is both murderous and a disgrace to the Lord, especially since TST tends to describe abortion as a “religious ritual.” For organizations that claim to be atheists, the unwavering promotion and practice of abortion is satanic and promotes a culture of death disguised as reproductive rights and bodily autonomy.
Christians should also know how TST plans to intervene in after-school clubs to counter the rise in religious education in schools. Apart from its typical insistence on the separation of church and state, the organization is also open to multiple religions in public spaces.
“We don't believe in Biblical Satan or supernatural Satan. We only see Satan as a symbol,” said June Everett, HAIL Campaign Director. the hill“Our goal has never been to actively grow the program. Our goal is simply to exist as a replacement for the program.” those people I want us there. If they want to abolish the Ten Commandments and we have people who want to promote the Seven Doctrine; get hung up onThe Satanic Temple will fight for it. ”
Everett says if someone pushes TST seven doctrines Like the Ten Commandments, it will be displayed in public schools. The integration of Christian content into public education is evident in states such as Texas, which recently approved Bible-based instruction in schools, Louisiana, which requires the Ten Commandments in classrooms, and Oklahoma, which requires Bibles. . in any classroom. But, as Everett said, TST's goal is to exist as an “alternative” for those seeking it.
When it comes to Christianity, I know there are many people who advocate an alternative. we've seen it throughout history, and we Please continue to do so today. however, alternative Pluralism is born I agree They have multiple worldviews and are considered equal to each other. In reaching out to the lost, we affirm that Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ is the only path to salvation (John 14:6). There is no such thing as an alternative. Because there is no alternative outside of Christ.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/fstop123
