Satan Coming to PDX: Satanic Temple Gets Approval for After-School Club

The Portland chapter of the Satanic Temple has received approval to start holding after-school meetings at Sacramento Elementary School in the Parkrose District.

After School Satan Clubs say that they use a lesson plan "that emphasizes a scientific, rationalist, non-superstitious world view."

They say that their clubs are meant as a counter to The Good News Club, run by the Child Evangelism Fellowship, which stresses Bible learning. After School Satan says this stress of "superstitions" takes away from kids being able to learn critical thinking.

The Satanic Temple says it is not advocating for the spread of its religion in schools — in fact, it would prefer no religion be allowed in schools — it is only looking to counter The Good News Club.

The temple says it only looks to open clubs in cities where The Good News Club already operates.

"The Satanic Temple does not advocate for religion in schools," the temple says on its website. "However, once religion invades schools, as The Good News Clubs have, The Satanic Temple will fight to ensure that plurality and true religious liberty are respected."

The club starts meeting on Oct. 19 and will meet once a month.