Messengers of Satanism could soon walk the halls of Florida’s public schools, as a consequence of far-right Governor Ron DeSantis’s initiative to increase the presence of religion in education.
A new state law that came into effect this week allows external organizations to provide “counseling and additional support to students” on school campuses. Although it leaves the implementation of chaplain programs to the discretion of individual school districts, DeSantis has made it clear that his intention is to restore Christian principles in public education.
Upon signing the bill in April, DeSantis stated: “Without this bill, you’re basically saying God has no place on campus. That’s wrong.”
Satanists view this law, which emerges amidst a vigorous theocratic push in education by the religious right nationwide, as an egalitarian opportunity: if Christian chaplains are allowed access to students, often in the most vulnerable and impressionable stages of their lives, then they too must be allowed.
Lucien Greaves, co-founder of The Satanic Temple, said his organization has members ready to volunteer if school districts in any of Florida’s 67 counties announce they are enrolling in DeSantis’s chaplain program.
However, there are no plans to introduce studies on the dark arts or Satanic rituals in any classroom. The Satanic Temple advocates for Satan not as a literal, omnipresent demon, but as a symbol of rebellion and resistance to authoritarianism. They assert that their strategy in this case is to highlight blatant violations of the constitutionally protected separation of church and state.
Florida’s new law, promoted by Governor DeSantis, opens the door to a diversity of religious influences in public schools, which has generated controversy and concern among those who defend the separation of religion and education. It remains to be seen how this law will be implemented and what impact it will have on the state’s educational environment.
