A federal judge this week allowed a lawsuit to move forward against the Broward County School Board over its refusal to allow banners that said “Satan Loves the First Amendment” at two schools.
Activist Timothy “Chaz” Stevens, a minister of The Church of Satanology and Perpetual Soiree, filed the lawsuit alleging violations of the First Amendment and two Florida laws.
The school board filed a motion to dismiss the case, but U.S. District Judge Robert Scola on Thursday issued an 11-page order that allowed Stevens to pursue the First Amendment claim and a claim under a state law known as the Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
A trial is scheduled March 10. Stevens in October 2023 requested to put the banners at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and West Glades Middle School, but the school board later rejected the requests, Scola wrote.
The order said the school board between December 2023 and September 2024 allowed religious organizations, such as Calvary Chapel and Potter’s House, to display banners at West Glades Middle School and Coral Springs High School. Stevens alleges “unequal treatment,” Scola wrote.
–News Service of Florida
Fernando Melendez says
All I can say is, Dear Lord what has our country become when we have devil worshipers trying to invoke the devils name and ways into our schools. We can do better than this.
Skibum says
I believe you completely missed the point, but not to worry, so did the school district! If we are to have freedom of religion in America, and government is supposed to recognize and treat all religions equally under the law, then allowing any one religion access to Broward County schools should not be followed by the denial of any other religious group’s request to access the schools. What about a Jewish, or “worse” yet… a Muslim religious group requesting access to the schools??? There are so many religions and spin-off religious groups and organizations that it is a very, very slippery slope when ANY government, school district, etc. starts giving access to religious groups or organizations, then denying the same type of requests because they don’t happen to like some of them, well, then we might as well just throw the 1st amendment out the window and admit that we really don’t have religious freedom here in this country after all. It would be so much better for all involved if we would just STOP trying to insert religion into our schools and left ALL religious activities in our many various types of churches. I don’t think anyone would appreciate or tolerate school districts trying to insert math or chemistry classes in any church denomination in the entire country, and I will never understand why some continue to push for churches or other religious groups to have access to school kids. And I’m saying this as a life long Christian, who knows the difference between what kind of lessons should be taught in schools, and what kind of lessons are to be learned in church, if one so desires. Unfortunately, this country has way too many people who just seem unable to discern between the two.
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
How about no religious banners in any public school. If you’re allowing christian banners then Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu etc…including Satanism, should be able to have banners hung too. Gets a little ridiculous over time, simple solution is keep all religion out of public schools.
Dennis C Rathsam says
What king of a sic society, would worship the devil?????
JC says
The real question for you is do you believe the devil is real? Like, real evidence.
Sarah says
Freedom of religion. Keep religion out of our schools. Out of our government.
Palm Coast Citizen says
Disputes over religious freedom and the separation of church and state often arise from a desire to make a point. The fundamental principle is personal autonomy—we all have the right to pray, meditate, or practice our beliefs without persecution. However, when public institutions allow one religious message, they must allow all, regardless of whether it’s seen as “good” or “bad.” Otherwise, we open the door to religious influences we may not support.
For those who are deeply religious, the right to practice freely remains untouched. You can pray or observe your faith wherever you choose, without obstruction. The best way to protect this freedom is by maintaining the separation of church and state. This isn’t about “removing God”—faith is personal and cannot be taken away. It’s about preserving everyone’s right to practice their religion as they see fit.
Regarding the Satanic banners in schools, I don’t believe Satanists are genuinely evangelizing. Most tend to be humanists using satire to make a statement. That said, I wouldn’t want their messaging—or any religious messaging—on a school campus. I don’t want my children being encouraged toward any religion outside of our family, period. Public schools and government institutions should remain neutral on religion to respect everyone’s rights equally.