Parents outraged over Illinois elementary school’s decision to host ‘Satan Club’

On Wednesday, a flier advertising an after school "Satan Club" at Jane Addams Elementary School in Moline, IL made the rounds on social media.

The flier ensures parents that the instructors have passed criminal background checks and have been vetted by the Satanic Temple.

The club is aimed at children from Grade One to Grade Five.

"Hey Kids, let's have fun at After School Satan Club!" the flier reads. It goes on to state that participants will take part in science projects, puzzles, games, arts and crafts projects, and nature activities.

Parents are advised that "the Satanic Temple is a non-theistic religion that views Satan as a mythical figure representing individual freedom," and that the club "does not attempt to convert children to any religious ideology," encouraging kids to "think for themselves" instead. They add that the Satanic Temple "emphasizes a scientific, rationalist, non-superstitious worldview."

“Open the floodgates for all manner of evil and perversion clubs to follow. No moral codes of good/bad, right/wrong. Glad not to have children subjected to learning in such an environment,” said one parent.

“How dare America stoop so low and spit in the eye of God,” added another.

Moline-Coal Valley School District No. 40 superintendent Dr. Rachel Savage released a statement addressing the flier following the outrage from concerned parents.

Dr. Savage points out that while some may find the fliers "distressing," the school itself is not directly affiliated with the Satan Club, and that parents still have the final say in the activities their children do and do not partake in.

The Satanic Temple was founded in 2012 by Lucien Greaves and Malcom Jarry, and has gained notoriety for its public stunts.

According to their website, "The Mission Of The Satanic Temple Is To Encourage Benevolence And Empathy, Reject Tyrannical Authority, Advocate Practical Common Sense, Oppose Injustice, And Undertake Noble Pursuits."