Elementary school students in Ohio can join the Satanic Temple's religious education program.
The Satanic Temple received a request from a parent for a school program.
An elementary school in Ohio is hosting a religious learning program offered by The Satanic Temple as part of the state's religious release program.
Students at Edgewood Elementary School in Marysville, Ohio, can participate in the Hellion Academy of Independent Learning, or HAIL, program under the Release Time Religious Instruction, or RTRI, initiative, with off-campus learning opportunities available once a month during school hours.
The school offers other lessons under the RTRI program, such as Bible study, in addition to HAIL. It is important to note that HAIL is not associated with or endorsed by the local school district or board members.
The HAIL program aims to enhance students' critical thinking, community service, empathy, self-guided learning, and creative expression.
An ordained minister for the Satanic Temple, June Everett, revealed to WCMH that a parent contacted the After School Satan Club about introducing a Satanic Temple program at the school.
The Satanic Temple only provides programs for students upon parental request and in districts where other religious release programs exist, as stated by Everett.
The parent who requested HAIL was looking for an alternative to LifeWise, an Ohio-based Christian program that provides Bible lessons to students during lunch and recess once a week, because students who opt out sometimes feel excluded or isolated.
Everett stated that the intention is not to close down the LifeWise Academy, but he believes that many school districts are unaware that allowing entry for one religion also allows entry for all religions.
Everett stated that HAIL is given monthly instead of weekly lessons like LifeWise because the Satanic Temple has limited resources and a smaller budget, and frequently collaborates with local churches.
The Satanic Temple's first release program in Ohio is located in Marysville, while its sister program, the After School Satan Club, has been operating in Dayton, Wilmington, and Lebanon, according to Everett.
The Satanic Temple and HAIL, Everett said, are often misunderstood.
Everett clarified that they were not engaging in devil worship, baby sacrifices, or blood usage, stating that it was the opposite.
Satanists, as a group, are non-theistic, meaning they do not believe in any supernatural deities, including God or Satan, according to Everett's statement to WOSU.
Joel Penton, CEO and founder of LifeWise, stated that HAIL serves as a prime example of why his organization advocates for Ohio House Bill 445, which mandates school districts to establish a release instruction policy. According to Penton, the bill would provide guidance on how to execute religious programs in schools.
"Penton stated to WCMH that LifeWise is not afraid of other organizations offering RTRI. Instead, the organization believes that all families should have the chance to choose religious study during school hours and trusts parents to make the best decision for their children."
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