By Kaitlin Housler
Chimneyrock Elementary School in Memphis issued a statement after an “After School Satan Club” organized by the Satanic Temple and Reason Alliance is scheduled to take place on school grounds next month.
On its website, the Satanic Temple – the primary religious Satanic organization in the world – says its mission is to “encourage benevolence and empathy, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense, oppose injustice, and undertake noble pursuits.”
Chimneyrock Elementary School released the following statement on Tuesday morning via Facebook:
Dear Chimneyrock Family,
We understand that some of you have questions regarding the recent approval of a facility rental to The Satanic Temple, a federally recognized non-profit organization.
As a public school district, we’re committed to upholding 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 a request based solely on the organization’s viewpoints or beliefs.
Board Policy 7002 outlines this commitment, allowing community groups and government entities to rent school property outside of school hours. These gatherings are not school-sponsored and are not endorsed or promoted by Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
The Satanic Temple, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) public charity, falls under this policy and has the same legal rights to use our facilities after school hours as any other non-profit organization. It will be renting the facility in January, after school. You may read more about the organization in an online news story from the Washington Post.
We understand that this topic may raise questions. Thank you for your understanding and continued partnership.
The Satanic Temple said its after-school club, scheduled for January 10 in the elementary school’s library, will “create a fun and inviting place for students to learn and make new friends.”
A flier for the event reads, “HEY KIDS! LET’S HAVE FUN AT AFTER SCHOOL SATAN CLUB!”
The Satanic Temple said the after-school club will feature “science and community service projects, puzzles and games, nature activities, arts and crafts, snacks, and tons of fun.”
The Satanic Temple also said children who attend the club will learn “benevolence and empathy, critical thinking, problem solving, creative expression, personal sovereignty, and compassion.”
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Chimneyrock Elementary School” by MSCS-Chimneyrock Elementary School.
