This is outrageous.
A Tennessee school district has agreed to pay nearly $15,000 in legal fees as part of a settlement related to its decision to block an After School Satan Club (ASSC) from operating at elementary schools. This settlement follows a legal challenge by The Satanic Temple, which had sought to establish ASSC chapters at the same schools where Good News Clubs, a Christian organization, were permitted to meet.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) announced the settlement with the Shelby County Board of Education, which includes $14,845 for legal costs, $1 in nominal damages to The Satanic Temple, and $196.71 to cover unreimbursed rental reservation fees. The settlement aims to resolve the dispute and ensure fair treatment for The Satanic Temple’s club.
The controversy began when The Satanic Temple aimed to set up an After School Satan Club at Chimneyrock Elementary School in response to the presence of a Good News Club. The group, which advocates for a strict separation of church and state, faced significant opposition from local parents and school officials. Despite recognizing the group’s right to use the school facilities, the district imposed additional fees and ultimately denied their rental applications during the club’s initial meeting.
The FFRF highlighted that the discriminatory actions taken by the district left them with no choice but to pursue legal action. They sought a court order to ensure that The Satanic Temple’s reservation requests would be approved and to refund the fees imposed on the group.
Patrick Elliott, the legal director for FFRF, emphasized that the settlement reinforces the idea that the First Amendment protections apply equally to all groups, including minority organizations. The resolution of the case serves as a reminder of the importance of treating all groups fairly in public spaces.
because Satan leads to problems, mental health concerns, and other negative symptoms, I don’t understand how this is healthy for kids.