Governor Ron DeSantis just invited Satanic Temple into Florida public schools

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Thursday that is likely to open a door allowing volunteer members of the Satanic Temple to engage with public K-12 students.

Despite assurances from the Republican Governor that such interaction would not be permitted, the group is gearing up for a legal battle, citing recent legal victories and their status as a recognized religious organization.

The bill, signed amidst a backdrop of other educational legislation, has reignited the ongoing debate over the separation of church and state.

Addressing concerns over the Satanic Temple’s involvement in school programs during a press conference held at a high school in Kissimmee, DeSantis vehemently stated, “That is not a religion. That is not qualifying to be able to participate in this.”

The Satanic Temple is recognized as a church by both the IRS and the federal court system,

The group advocates for the separation of church and state and does not adhere to beliefs associated with Satan worship, but their involvement in educational settings has stirred controversy.

The group has already won a right to establish After School Satan Clubs, which provide an alternative to religious clubs in primary schools.

Recent legal battles have seen the Satanic Temple prevail in cases where their access to school facilities was denied. Notably, the Saucon Valley School District in Pennsylvania, settled with the Temple, agreeing to pay $200,000 after blocking an After School Satan Club from meeting on school grounds.

The bill signed by DeSantis allows for the introduction of volunteer chaplains to provide support services for public K-12 students. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential inclusion of Satanic Temple members in such programs.

The group’s Protect Children Project has already demonstrated its intent to intervene in cases where students’ rights conflict with their religious beliefs, such as instances of corporal punishment in schools.

Reacting to the bill signing, Lucien Greaves, co-founder of the Satanic Temple, asserted, “He just invited Satanic chaplains into public schools, whether he likes it or not,” highlighting the group’s determination to assert their rights under the First Amendment.

While DeSantis and the bill’s sponsor, Senator Erin Grall, maintain that the legislation does not discriminate against religious groups, concerns remain regarding its potential implications. Democratic lawmakers who opposed the bill cited worries about controversial groups’ participation and the specter of Christian nationalism.

The controversy surrounding the Satanic Temple’s involvement in public education underscores broader debates about religious freedom, free speech, and the role of religion in public life.

As the bill goes into effect on July 1, the stage is set for further legal and ideological battles over the boundaries between religion and the state in Florida’s educational system.