Satanic Temple Invades Marysville Schools with New ‘Religious’ Program

In a move that has sparked outrage among many parents, Edgewood Elementary School in Marysville will soon host a religious release program led by none other than the Satanic Temple.

Yes, you read that right—the same group known for its controversial, anti-religious antics is now targeting elementary school students with its “Hellion Academy of Independent Learning” (HAIL), set to launch this December.

Under Ohio’s release-time policy, public school students can leave school during the day for religious instruction. But few expected that this loophole would allow a group like the Satanic Temple to gain a foothold in local schools.

Christian Parents Demand Answers

For over a year, Marysville students have had the option to attend LifeWise Academy, a Christian-based program teaching biblical values during lunch and recess. Parents welcomed the opportunity for their children to learn about faith and morality in a world that often seems to reject both.

But now, with the Satanic Temple’s HAIL program on the scene, many parents are asking: How did we get here?

June Everett, the campaign director for the Satanic Temple’s After School Satan Club, claims a parent requested the program as an alternative to LifeWise.

“We only go where parents invite us,” Everett said. “And when one religion is allowed in, others must be, too.”

It’s a sentiment that has left many parents stunned.

“We’re talking about an organization that openly mocks Christianity,” said local resident and parent Angela Miller. “Is this really what we want for our kids? A program that pushes Satanic principles disguised as ‘compassion and empathy’?”

What Is the Satanic Temple Teaching?

The Satanic Temple insists it isn’t about devil worship or dark rituals. Instead, it promotes what it calls the “Seven Fundamental Tenets,” which include:

• Prioritizing personal autonomy, including a so-called “religious right” to abortion.
• Aligning beliefs with “scientific facts,” often in direct opposition to traditional Christian teachings.
• Promoting a form of justice that critics argue is more about progressive activism than genuine fairness.

Despite their attempts to rebrand Satanism as a benign, philosophical movement, many see it for what it is—a direct challenge to Christian values.

“They can call it whatever they want,” said Pastor Mark Reynolds of Marysville Baptist Church. “But at the end of the day, it’s a program rooted in moral relativism, not absolute truth. And that’s dangerous for young minds.”

A Bigger Agenda?

Some believe this isn’t just about offering an alternative to LifeWise. It’s about eroding the Christian foundation that many families in Marysville hold dear.

“It’s no coincidence that groups like this target small towns and Christian communities,” said Joel Penton, CEO and founder of LifeWise Academy. “They want to normalize their beliefs and make Christian parents feel like outsiders in their own schools.”

Penton pointed to Ohio House Bill 445, legislation that would require schools to implement clearer policies on religious release programs.

“We support HB 445 because it provides clarity and structure,” Penton said. “We’re not afraid of competition, but we believe parents deserve to know exactly what’s being taught and have confidence their children won’t be exposed to harmful ideologies.”

The Fight for Marysville’s Future

As the Satanic Temple prepares to launch HAIL, many parents are mobilizing to protect their schools and their children. Community meetings are being planned, petitions circulated, and calls to local school board members are increasing.

“This is our town, and these are our kids,” said Angela Miller. “We have a responsibility to stand up for what’s right. If we don’t, who will?”

The introduction of HAIL is more than just a local issue—it’s a battle over the heart and soul of public education in America. And in Marysville, that fight is just beginning.