The Satanic Temple has announced that it will provide pamphlets on Satanism to students in Orange County, Florida, in response to a school board decision that allows for religious materials to be disseminated in public schools.
Among the materials to be distributed are pamphlets on the Satanic Temple’s tenets, philosophy and practice of Satanism, as well as information about the legal right to practice Satanism in school, the group said in a press release.
The move comes after the Orange County school system decided earlier this month to allow Bibles, as well as atheist materials, to be distributed at public schools.
The Temple said that though it does not agree with the school board’s decision to allow religious materials in schools, it will continue “to ensure that pluralism is respected whenever the Church/State division is breached.”
Temple spokesperson Lucien Greaves explains: “We think the responsible thing to do is to ensure that these students are given access to a variety of differing religious opinions, as opposed to standing idly by while one religious voice dominates the discourse and delivers propaganda to youth.
“I am quite certain that all of the children in these Florida schools are already aware of the Christian religion and its Bible, and this might be the first exposure these children have to the actual practice of Satanism. We think many students will be very curious to see what we offer,” Greaves added.
The Satanic Temple is best known for their ongoing efforts to erect a goat-headed Baphomet statue next to a Ten Commandments monument at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
The group describes Satan as “the ultimate icon for the selfless revolt against tyranny, free and rational inquiry, and the responsible pursuit of happiness.”
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/sep/15/satanists-distribute-religious-materials-florida-p/#ixzz3DwE2Uqu4
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