It's been going on for years: "After School Satan" clubs are being set up in elementary, middle and high schools around the U.S. While the Satanic Temple (the group pushing the clubs) claims children are being taught "science, critical thinking, creative arts, and good works" and "free inquiry and rationalism" – not devil worship – clearly, the focus is anti-Christian and anti-evangelical.
"[We exist] to provide a safe and inclusive alternative to the religious clubs that use threats of eternal damnation to convert school children to their belief system …. We prefer to give children an appreciation of the natural wonders surrounding them, not a fear of everlasting other-worldly horrors," says its website.
The Satanic Temple also states it "will only open a club if other religious groups are operating on campus."
Brad Dacus of Pacific Justice Institute points out Christian clubs on campus have the same access to students as the Satan clubs. He argues that satanists' ulterior motive is to use the First Amendment against Christian clubs in the schools.
"The purpose of these Satan clubs is to try to scare parents so that they demand that all Bible and Christian clubs, along with Satan clubs, be removed from public schools," he tells AFN.
To answer that threat, Pacific Justice Institute is teaming up with a ministry called Decision Point (formerly National School Project) to turn the tables on the satanists.
"The proper response is not to focus on booting out the Satan clubs, but instead use it as a rallying cry to bring in revival rallies in school, during school hours," Dacus explains.
The attorney contends that if every school that brings in a Satan club starts to experience revival rallies and students are coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, Satan clubs will realize they are causing those rallies and "back off."
