First Satanic Temple Kids Club Comes to Elementary School

The Satanic Temple plans to launch its first after-school program in Tennessee at an elementary school just outside of Memphis come January, a development that sparked widespread controversy within the community.

Chimneyrock Elementary School in Cordova, part of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS), will play host to the After School Satan Club. The Satanic Temple announced the club on Tuesday. The organization claimed that it offers a “non-theistic religion” with Satan present as a metaphorical literary figure, and that its after-school clubs don’t attempt to convert children to any religious ideology.

“The Satanic Temple supports children to think for themselves,” read a flyer. “All After School Satan Clubs are based on activities centered around the Seven Fundamental Tenets and emphasize a scientific, rationalist, non-superstitious worldview.”

After School Satan Club is coming to Tennessee!

The state's first ASSC will launch on on January 10th at Chimneyrock Elementary.

If you'd like to help provide needed supplies for TN's first ASSC, please visit our Amazon Wish List: https://t.co/3pSkBZLepx pic.twitter.com/cbAEyrfkK7

— The Satanic Temple (@satanic_temple_) December 12, 2023

MSCS issued a statement on Tuesday defending the club’s access to the campus as a First Amendment right and deserving equal treatment granted to the Good News Club, a Christian organization, further noting that the IRS recognizes the Satanic Temple as a public nonprofit charity. MSCS directed community members to read about the Satanic Temple in The Washington Post and LA Times.

“[W]e cannot approve or deny a request based solely on the organization’s viewpoints or beliefs,” said MSCS.

Please see this statement from Memphis-Shelby County Schools regarding the recent approval of a facility rental at Chimneyrock Elementary pic.twitter.com/WK5rHh2yya

— Memphis-Shelby Co. Schools (@MSCSK12) December 12, 2023