Pennsylvania school district must allow Satan club: judge

Explore More

A federal judge ruled this week that a Pennsylvania school district must allow a Satanist club to meet, citing the group’s First Amendment rights.

US District Judge John M. Gallagher wrote in a Monday filing that the Saucon Valley School District violated the After School Satan Club’s free speech privileges when it rescinded its agreement to let the group meet on school grounds, the Morning Call reported.

The club, which is sponsored by the Satanic Temple, had its official approval revoked earlier this year after its promotional flyers caused a stir in the Lehigh Valley community.

The national ACLU, the ACLU of Pennsylvania, and Dechert LLP subsequently sued the district on behalf of the Satanic Temple in March, the Hill reported.

“Here, although The Satanic Temple, Inc.’s objectors may challenge the sanctity of this controversially named organization, the sanctity of the First  Amendment’s protections must prevail,” Gallagher reasoned in his decision.

Gallagher, however, also acknowledged Superintendent Jaime Vlasaty’s “unenviable” position when faced with a shooting threat in response to the club in February.

While he rejected the district’s claim that the Satanic club violated official advertising policies, he did prohibit the group from distributing permission slips and flyers because the school no longer permitted the practice.

As part of the judge’s ruling, the district must allow the After School Satan Club to meet on three previously selected dates at Saucon Valley Middle School in aptly named Hellertown. 

The first gathering is set for next week, WFMZ reported.

“This ruling sends a powerful message that the First Amendment protects the viewpoints and beliefs of all people and faiths,” Sara Rose, legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said in a statement to the Morning Call.

“When a school district opens up its facilities, it cannot discriminate based on religious beliefs. This ruling reinforces the principle of equal access and ensures that all views have a fair opportunity to be expressed.”

The Satanic Temple does not worship Satan as an incarnation of evil, but instead uses the controversial symbol as a representation of independent thought and free will.

The group made headlines last week as the largest-ever gathering of adherents prepared to descend on Boston for SatanCon 2023.

ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2Jlf3R7j25maWpfpbKvuoysmqGnn6F6pbXSramim6Riura%2F02aYpaSfrHq0rdOapWabnKqvbrbUnZ6eZw%3D%3D