“Satanic Club” Invades TN Elementary School

Immense pushback came after plans were revealed that an after-school Satan Club would be established in the Chinmeyrock Elementary School in Memphis, Tennessee in the new year. This will be the first club of its kind in the State of Tennessee.

After fiery outrage by several parents and grandparents over the demonic after-school club, the elementary school stated that it will “uphold 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 an organization’s request based solely on its viewpoints or beliefs.”

The club, which stems from the Satanic Temple in Massachusetts, stated in a flier that they are not endorsed nor sponsored by Memphis-Shelby County Schools, they also stated that the club views “Satan” as a “metaphorical construct” and that their intention is not to try and convert children but to inform them to “think for themselves.”

The organization has pointed to the fact that there is a Christian club at the elementary school, and as such, they too have a right to have an after-school club if they so desire. “We don’t go to a school unless there is another religious club operating,” said June Everett, the national campaign director for “After School Satan Club” for The Satanic Temple. Everett also said that thanks to a 2001 Supreme Court ruling, the Satanic Temple’s club, as well as The Good News Club, which is a “Bible Club” sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship, have the right to be at the K through 5 schools.

“I think it’s B.S. … I think it needs to be held somewhere else and not a school,” said Courtney Dennis, a father in the school district.

According to school board member, Mauricio Calvo, school officials will be exploring options to “mitigate the situation” before the January 10, 2024 start date for the club. He also stated that the school is in an “uncomfortable” position, citing the law that does not let the district pick and choose which programs are welcomed. Calvo vowed if the program moves forward, he and other school officials would “make sure that all children are protected every single day.”

Althea Greene is a pastor and chair of the school board, she said about the situation that, “Satan has no room in this district!” whilst Reverend Bill Adkins said he wants a solution found to combat the arrival of the program, “We cannot allow them to have time with our children,” he said. “And that’s the bottom line.”

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