Satanists to volunteer in Florida schools in response to DeSantis' 'more God in classroom' bill

In response to Governor Ron DeSantis's initiative to introduce more religion into Florida's public school system through a volunteer school chaplain program, members of The Satanic Temple (TST) have expressed their readiness to volunteer as "chaplains." The new Florida law, effective July 1, allows volunteer chaplains to offer support and services to students. Despite DeSantis initially stating that satanists would not be allowed to participate, TST's co-founder, Lucien Greaves, has challenged this assertion, claiming that the law does permit Satanic chaplains in schools. The law requires schools with volunteer chaplains to inform parents of the services and publish a list of chaplains on their websites. However, the implementation of chaplain programs is left to the discretion of schools and districts, with only the volunteer's religion, if any, needing to be disclosed. Critics view the law as a violation of the separation of church and state, prompting TST to threaten legal action if its members are barred from serving as chaplains. The Satanic Temple sees their involvement as a response to the increasing influence of religious groups in education, viewing the law as an opportunity for equal representation. While there are no plans to introduce satanic teachings in classrooms, the organization is prepared to volunteer in any of Florida's school districts that participate in DeSantis's chaplain program. DeSantis, however, has stated that satanists will not be allowed in schools, despite the recognition of The Satanic Temple as a church by the US government. The controversy surrounding the inclusion of Satanic chaplains in Florida's schools highlights the ongoing debate over the role of religion in public education. With conflicting views on the law's implications and the rights of minority religions, the issue raises questions about religious freedom, separation of church and state, and the boundaries of volunteer programs in schools. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders on both sides continue to voice their concerns and positions on the matter.