Mission America
December 12, 2024
Once again, we are seeing the hand of evil at work to block people, especially children, from their own chosen opportunities to know the Lord. The latest example is organized by the so-called Satanic Temple to challenge the Lifewise Christian program offered to students in many schools.
But should parents worry about something with the brand of “satan” offered to children? Are such programs likely to become wildly popular?
The Satanic Temple is based in Salem, Massachusetts and will begin once a month off site lessons in Marysville (OH) schools to include what they describe as “self-directed learning, good works in the community, compassion and empathy, problem solving skills, creative expression, critical thinking, inspirational guest speakers, and fun.” They call this program HAIL, the “Hellion Academy of Independent Learning.” No outright worship of Satan, or so they claim.
But anti-Christian? Yes, there’s little doubt that children in these “satan” groups will learn negative attitudes toward Christians.
The Satanic Temple group is also affiliated with the After School Satan Clubs, and seems to be networked with the Freedom from Religion Foundation. The After School Satan Clubs surfaced several years ago in school districts in Wilmington and Lebanon, Ohio and also in Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Virginia. These efforts to challenge even the choice for children to learn about Jesus seem to be very well-funded.
The Satan effort in Marysville will start at Edgewood Elementary school and maybe others in the future. Or maybe not! We can only hope.
Lifewise at Marysville started last year and is offered in all the elementary schools, with hopes to move to the upper grades soon. Lifewise is a nonprofit group that provides “Bible-based character education to public school students during school hours under released time religious instruction laws.” Lifewise is now in 29 states.
One parent whose son attends the Marysville Lifewise told me that he attends during lunch and recess once a week and the participation of students in no way interrupts instructional time. And a substitute teacher in Marysville emphasized that she saw nothing but positive results and no evidence that students return from a Lifewise lesson and push their beliefs on others, as the opponents claim.
There is a “Parents against Lifewise” Facebook page which describes its purpose as, “Fighting against the WAR waged on our public schools and on the Separation of Church and State,” apparently unaware that the US Constitution nowhere mentions “separation of church and state.” Leftists love this toothless phrase, however, conveniently forgetting First Amendment guaranteed freedom of religion.
How paranoid does a group have to be to view children attending voluntary, off-site lessons about Christian faith as a “WAR” (caps are theirs) on public schools? And this negative campaign seems to be heavily supported by the “LGBTQ” community. A group called “Have a Gay Day” in Dayton, OH, posted a mocking anti-Lifewise meme at Thanksgiving.
Many believe this Facebook group is where the idea for the Satan copycat originated, but Marysville parents think there will be very little interest in attending such a program and that it feels more like a political or scare tactic. If parents get riled up enough to remove the satanic program, then all such programs will be removed including Lifewise, is probably the assumption. Lifewise parents are saying they plan to ignore this divisive strategy and carry on with the great program they have.
Meanwhile, at the Ohio Statehouse, many are watching the progress of House Bill 445 and Senate Bill 293, which are essentially the same bill. This law would require that schools offer the choice to students of religious release time instruction, like the Lifewise program. Some schools do offer the Lifewise program but others, like Westerville (OH) City Schools, and now Worthington (OH) City Schools , are balking at making this option available to students. These programs require parental consent and they assume their own liability.
So, what are these districts afraid of? Too much choice?
Groups like the so-called Freedom From Religion Foundation and the Satanic Temple may continue to stir up anti-Christian sentiment in communities, and it is our hope that parents, teachers and administrators will see through these divisive actions.
It is unlikely the Satanic Temple programs will get much attendance. As a branding strategy, “Satan” doesn’t appeal to most parents, who perceive the “in-your-face” aspect of this strategy and want their children far away from such attitudes.
Let’s pray for both the adults who propose these anti-Christian programs, and the innocent children whose parents allow them to attend. They really need the Lord in their lives.
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The MOVCAC Movement, which stands for the Motivate-Organize-Volunteer Citizens Action Coalition, encourages individuals to take an active role in protecting their communities and advocating for positive change. Staying home and posting online, while sometimes useful for raising awareness, is often not enough to effect substantial change. By getting up, getting out, and joining movements like MOVCAC, you can directly engage in community actions, participate in local decision-making, and collaborate with others who share your concerns. This hands-on involvement is essential for safeguarding our nation, state, and homes from various challenges, whether they be social, or political. Active participation fosters a stronger, more resilient community and ensures that your voice is heard in matters that affect your everyday life.
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