The Satanic Temple will begin offering religious programs at elementary schools in Ohio in response to parents’ requests for an alternative to Christian “liberation” programs.
Release-time religious instruction programs began in the early 20th century to allow students to receive religious instruction for short periods of time during class. At Edgewood Elementary School in Marysville, Ohio, where the Temple is starting the program, the Evangelical Lifewise program takes students out of school for 55 minutes each week.
The program is known for its “big red buses” that transport students from school to out-of-school locations for instruction, such as local churches or community centers.
Release-time programs have seen a resurgence in recent years, especially in Ohio. Lifewise started in two districts in 2019 and has grown to 325 programs in 12 states by 2023, the CEO told Fox News. Its growth coincided with a conservative movement against “woke” education, resulting in book bans and activists filing open records requests with school boards. It became.
This growth has also been accompanied by controversy. Religious liberation programs have also raised concerns among other religious groups, including Catholics, and at least one school board in Ohio has suspended the program after concerned parents forced protests. Permit revoked.
“We are not trying to close Lifewise Academy,” June Everett, an ordained minister at the Satanic Temple, told cleveland.com. “But I think a lot of school districts don’t realize that when you open the door to one religion, you open the door to all religions.”
The Satanic Temple is an IRS-recognized “non-theistic” church whose mission is to promote pluralism of religious views, empathy, and rejection of autocratic authority.
Their other work included carrying a 7-foot bronze statue of Baphomet (a winged man with a goat’s head) up the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol to protest the installation of the Ten Commandments monument. and starting an after-school devil’s club to protest the installation of a monument to the Ten Commandments. Christian Good News Club.
According to a Fox News article, the Satanic Temple was founded at the request of parents who were looking for an alternative to Marysville’s Christian program, where non-Christian students felt left out. ) program has been launched.
“Lifewise is not afraid of other organizations providing (religious guidance upon release),” Joel Penton, CEO and founder of Lifewise, told WCMH. “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.”
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But he also encouraged lawmakers to pass Ohio House Bill 445, which would require school districts to authorize religious liberation programs.
“It’s sad that these programs feel the need to use peer pressure to gain followers of their religion,” said Erin Herrian, the Satanic Temple’s director of campaign operations, in a press release. said. “No matter how you evaluate religion, bribing children with field trips and snacks is not a very good idea.”
Satanic Temple’s programs include “independent learning, community engagement, compassion and empathy, problem-solving skills, creative expression, critical thinking, inspirational guest speakers, and lots of fun.” ” Students will be removed from school to participate once a month.
