Pluralism in the United States, particularly among faith-based believers and non-believers, thrives when both sides decide to respect one another's beliefs and live peaceably. It's hard to do that when one side is always trying to force their beliefs down the proverbial throats of others.
Take the Pennsylvania school district that now must allow "Education with Satan," an "After School Satan Club" sponsored by the Satanic Temple no less, because a federal judge ruled it's their First Amendment right. The Saucon Valley School Board in the Lehigh Valley now must allow a Satanist club to rent space in the school to hold meetings following an ACLU lawsuit on the issue.
In a statement, the ACLU said the Satanic Temple applied to use school facilities after a local parent contacted them because the parent "hoped to bring to the region a non-Christian religious club that would be safe and inclusive for their non-Christian children."
"The First Amendment prohibits the government from denying access to school facilities based on the objections or reactions of others to the club's speech or religion," the ACLU said, noting that Christian after-school clubs are still permitted to meet at district schools, as is their right.
Asking that a school allow a Satanist club because it allows Bible studies has become the adult equivalent of the school yard chant, "I know you are but what am I?" This is a common tactic among leftists, and it often prevails, because, unbeknownst to them, the First Amendment does indeed apply to all.
Here's the thing: While the ACLU might have succeeded in their lawsuit, and philosophically, the First Amendment right for government schools to allow Satan and Bible clubs equally is fair, that doesn't necessarily mean it's the right thing to do, or the wisest thing to do. It's like your parents used to tell you when you were a kid: Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
The ACLU claimed that one of the many reasons they defended the right to have a Satan club in school is that such a club "promotes the Satanic virtues of benevolence, empathy, critical thinking, problem solving, creative expression, personal sovereignty, and compassion." Perhaps the ACLU doesn't have a lot of respect or understanding of Satan but surely the Satanic Temple does. You know who else does? People of faith.
The Bible, one of the most controversial books in the world, describes Satan as a "tempter," a "ruler of demons," "the evil one" and "the father of lies." Satan is a "fallen angel," analogous with a snake who is proud, arrogant, cruel, deceitful, and often subtle. Satan is not a being to trifle with, as he does not promote any kind of virtue whatsoever. To say that there are Satanic virtues would be like saying there are godly sins. The ACLU has been gravely misinformed.
C.S. Lewis said: "You can give the Devil too much or too little attention." And the ACLU seems to be gladly participating in hoisting the Satanic Club to a position of receiving too much attention, such that curious, malleable, children will wonder what that club after school is doing and fall headlong into a world that is dangerous, evil, and corrupt.
Taking a school district to court over the "right" to have a Satan worship club targeting kids is just as much allowed as a party held just to burn our nation's flag. But all that shows is a technical understanding of the First Amendment. It was designed to grant freedom to people who'd been living under tyranny, unable to worship their God and taxed without any say. The First Amendment wasn't designed to be a litmus test for devil worship, even as much as it is a "right."
There appears to be two kinds of freedom in this country right now: The freedom to burn one's flag and the freedom to worship Satan - and allow Satan to target our country's kids - and then there is the kind of freedom from tyranny to worship, to speak, to communicate. That is the unique kind of freedom people have died trying to gain for centuries. Both are legal and correct but only one has real value. This freedom is precious, a privilege, and it's squandered when it's used to force kids to have Satan worship available to kids in school.
