A high school in Kansas has approved a Satan worship club despite a 7,000-strong petition from outraged parents.
In December, Olathe School District approved a controversial “Satan Club” after the club application “met the criteria.”
Following the approval of the satanic club, parents and students protested but were stonewalled when the Olathe Public Schools said it was protected under the First Amendment.
An Olathe Public Schools spokesperson stated:
“The club application met the criteria to establish a student-initiated club and is now recognized as a student-initiated club at Olathe Northwest High School.”
According to Fox News, “a federal law, known as the Equal Access Act, prohibits public schools from discriminating against a student-initiated group based on a message that is philosophical or religious.“
A spokesperson for the district told Fox 4 KC that this means if the school allows one club, it allows all clubs if the application process is complete and the group meets the guidelines for recognition.
In response to the school’s announcement, a concerned student created an online petition called “Stop The Satan Worship Club at Olathe Northwest” in early December.
Drew McDonald, the creator of the petition wrote in a post:
“This deeply troubles me and many others in our community as we believe that schools should be places of education and growth, not platforms for satanic indoctrination or controversial practices.”
The petition had gained 81 new signatures as of Tuesday, bringing it to almost 7,000.
However, the group was still approved.
“As an Olathe resident, taxpayer, and Christian, I am appalled that something of this nature was even considered for a Olathe public school. The administrators, executives, teachers that allowed this to happen do not have the children’s best interest in mind. This needs to be expunged immediately,” one person commented on the petition.
“We urge the relevant authorities in Olathe, KS – school administrators, district officials and local representatives – to reconsider this decision. We believe it is not in the best interest of our children or community,” McDonald wrote.
The first ASSC-affiliated High School Satan Club is debuting in Kansas! This student-led club has completed all the required steps to be an officially registered on-campus student club and will operate alongside other student-led religious clubs.
— The Satanic Temple (@satanic_temple_) December 26, 2023
Learn: https://t.co/l7FycZq3FJ pic.twitter.com/6tIAvCmb0u
Satanic support has been popping up all across the nation in recent months.
In November, a Wisconsin museum is facing backlash after erecting a Satanic Christmas tree as part of their annual Christmas tree festival.
This Christmas tree was from the Satanic temple.
The National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon also featured 66 trees in their display.
The tree from the Satanic Temple of Wisconsin caused anger amongst Republican congressmen, who described it as “cultural propaganda” and “offensive.”
Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., said:
“Conservatives are often accused of launching a culture war or focusing or fixating on cultural issues.”
“But here is a perfect example of how that’s not what’s happening.”
