America’s public schools have been highly secular for a long time.
People forget that until just a few decades ago, the school day often began with prayer.
But Ron DeSantis just announced a new program that may bring a spiritual solution to secular darkness in the public schools.
DeSantis announces school chaplain program amid secular infiltration of schools
Over the past few years, secular activism has taken hold in government schools across America.
Teachers espousing transgender ideologies have entered the system.
And outside groups like the Satanic Temple have been seeking to gain a role in extracurricular activities.
Florida responded to the growing problem this week with HB 931.
The bill passed the Florida legislature earlier this year and has now been signed by Governor Ron DeSantis.
When it takes effect in July, it will allow for volunteer chaplains to visit government schools in the state.
The Governor’s office has made it clear that this is not a mandatory program.
And safeguards are being put in place to protect families that opt-in.
Eligible chaplains will undergo a background check and have their name and religion published on the school website.
Believe it or not, some Christian parents are worried about it.
“Common sense” oversight will keep satanists out of the program
DeSantis announced the signing of the bill on April 18, and was forced to address concerns from parents.
“Some have said that if you do a school chaplain program, somehow, you’re going to have satanists running around in all our schools,” he said.
But the Florida Governor is rejecting those concerns outright.
“That is not a religion. That is not qualified to be able to participate in this,” he said.
DeSantis went on to say that the state would be “using common sense” in the program so parents “don’t have to worry about” Satanists infiltrating the program.
“We’re not playing those games in Florida,” he added.
Republican state Senator, Erin Grall says that his promises to keep out Satanists are going to be hard to keep.
“I think that soon as we get in the middle of defining what is religion and what is not, and whether or not someone can be available and on a list, we start to run [into] constitutional problems,” she said.
Grall isn’t the only one to take notice of this weakness.
The Satanic Temple says DeSantis has “no authority” in classification of religion
The co-founder of The Satanic Temple, Lucien Greaves, has said that he plans to use the law to expand his reach in schools.
According to the Satanist, DeSantis “invited Satanic chaplains into public schools, whether he likes it or not.”
Greaves says that DeSantis has “no authority” to keep The Satanic Temple from participating in the program, and the U.S. Constitution provides “equal treatment under the law.”
“If a public school district or charter school is foolish enough to believe him, they’re in for a hell of a battle,” he said.
Greaves asserts that DeSantis is “not at liberty to amend the Constitution by fiat” and that his group is already recognized by the IRS as a religious organization.
Leadership at The Satanic Temple is now proposing a debate on religious freedom between Greaves and DeSantis.
“We believe that a public debate would provide an excellent platform to thoroughly discuss the principles of religious freedom in America,” they said in a letter.
Informed American will keep you up-to-date on any developments to this ongoing story.
