Dozens of faith-based leaders gathered around Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Interim Superintendent Tutonial "Toni" Williams Wednesday to denounce a Satanic club that’s planning to rent space at a local elementary school.Non-theistic religious non-profit organization The Satanic Temple (TST) plans to begin hosting the After School Satan Club at Chimneyrock Elementary School on Jan. 10.“We stand with the First Amendment, we stand with the Constitution of the United States of America, but our liberality is being taken advantage of. We’re being caught up in a plot, a ploy. Basically, some of us believe for money. We cannot allow any entity called ‘Satanic Temple’ to have time, private time with our children. Especially our elementary school children,” said one religious leaders. “This is in fact what I call ‘Satan Personified.'”Williams says she also opposes the beliefs of the After School Satan Club, but explained the district has little choice but to let the group rent school space. The district guarantees access to all non-profit groups wishing to utilize school facilities after hours and doesn’t deny requests based on an organization’s beliefs."Memphis is a city that overflows with goodwill," said Williams. "I want to assure you that I do not support, I do not endorse the beliefs of this organization at the center of the recent headlines. I do, however, support the law."The Satanic Temple is primarily based in the United States, but the organization has congregations in countries around the world. Its mission is to practice and promote individual rights and members believe in religion divorced from supernaturalism.“The mission of TST is to encourage benevolence and empathy among all people. We embrace practical common sense and justice. As Satanists, we should all be guided by our consciences to undertake noble pursuits guided by our individual wills. We believe that this is the hope of all mankind and the highest aspiration of humanity,” wrote the organization in its mission statement.Williams and other leaders also questioned the motivations of the Satanic Temple, calling the event an agenda to cancel all religious-based organizations that partner with the school district, like the Christian-based Good News Club or the Boys Scouts of America."In the wake of the recent news stories, some have demanded we ban all faith-based organizations. But that penalizes thousands of children, feeds the fear, and bends to outsiders and their agenda. Schools are more than places for academics. They are safe havens where staff and volunteers develop the extraordinary potential of tomorrow's leaders,” said Williams. “I challenge you not to push away in fear, but rather to push in with support."The announcement that the After School Satan Club will continue found mixed emotions on social media, with some Memphians expressing disappointment in the district.“The city is absolutely disgusting. First y’all take prayer out of the schools, then you add Satanic teachings. What is wrong with you all. I am literally almost speechless about this, and cannot believe what I am seeing and hearing,” wrote one commenter on Twitter/X.Others disagreed, supporting the decision and calling out district leaders for their ignorance about the group.“You mean their perceived views and beliefs, because if you actually knew anything about Satanist you’d know if actually refers to being a better person and not judging others,” wrote one commentator on Twitter/X.¶
