Group seeks approval of after-school Satan club in Cobb County
COBB COUNTY, Ga. - A Georgia group of Satanists has turned up the heat on a Cobb County elementary school. They have threatened to sue over their application to open a Satanic Club for Still Elementary School students.
Members of the Atlanta Chapter of the Satanic Temple said Still Elementary must either approve their club or drop a Christian club already set up at that school. They are calling the club After School Satan and the head of the temple said they just want the same opportunity as other religious groups who already have after school clubs. They said they are prepared to move forward legally if they do not get a response.
“I guess that's their right to be here, but no one will be receptive,” said Sam Bragg, a Still Elementary parent.
The Satanic Temple said they are just an activist group advocating for separation of church and state.
“Absolutely, we don't believe in Satan. We're definitely a nontheistic religion. We believe Satan is a literary symbol and device,” said Fred Mephisto of the Satanic Temple Atlanta Chapter
The Atlanta Chapter head said the group is asking for an after school program at the elementary school to draw attention to Evangelical Christian after school programs like the Good News Club which the satanic temple does not think should be there.
“And we're a secular imperials-based curriculum as an alternative to religious-based after school program,” said Mephisto
Mephisto said he made phone calls, sent emails, and sent a copy of a letter to the school board. Cobb County School District Communication Director Donna Lowry sent the following response to Mephisto Friday afternoon:
“This email is intended to confirm receipt of your letter to Superintendent Ragsdale dated August 1, 2016.
“As of the date/time of this correspondence, Cobb County School District has received no application. Should you wish to submit an application, please refer to our website for more information (under facility use section).”
Mephisto said he just wanted his program approved or the Christian-based program removed.
“Best case scenario to me would be that they recognize separation of church and state and suspend the Good News Clubs and other religious based program,” said Mephisto.
Not every parent agrees.
“I think they're acting like an extremist group and we don't like that behavior around here,” said one parent.
The Atlanta Chapter of the Satanic Temple is one of several chapters around the country targeting schools like Still Elementary for an after school Satan club.