Satanist Club May Move Into PG County Elementary School: Report

CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MD -- If the Satanic Temple gets its way, Bradbury Heights Elementary in Capitol Heights could soon add "After School Satan" to the list of after-school programs offered to students.

In what is largely seen as a protest to the fact that evangelical Christian clubs are allowed in schools through after-school programs, the Satantic Temple has contacted about a dozen schools nationwide including Bradbury Heights, according to a WTOP report, which notes that officials in Prince George's County have received the request and are reviewing it.

The Satanic Temple in particular opposes the Good News Club sponsored by the Child Evangelism Fellowship, which was allowed after a 2001 Supreme Court decision said religious groups should have equal access to school facilities.

The Satanic Temple doesn't actually worship the devil, but rather sees itself as an opposing force of evangelism that rejects belief in supernatural beings. The movement wants religion entirely out of schools in any form.

"As it is illegal for the schools to discriminate against specific religions or preference others, After School Satan Clubs cannot be denied wherever Christian, or any other religious clubs, operate," After School Satan argues in a FAQ on its website. "All After School Satan Clubs are based upon a uniform syllabus that emphasizes a scientific, rationalist, non-superstitious world view."

Image via AfterSchoolSatan.com