Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has once again taken a principled stand in defense of religious integrity, this time against the bid by The Satanic Temple to participate in the state’s new school chaplain program. In an April press conference, DeSantis clearly articulated his stance that satanic groups are not a religion and, therefore, do not qualify to participate in a program that seeks to provide legitimate spiritual guidance to students.
“We’re not playing those games in Florida,” DeSantis said. “That is not a religion. That is not qualifying to be able to participate in this. We’re going to be using common sense. … You do not have to worry about that.” His remarks have resonated with many who share his view that there is a clear distinction between legitimate religious practices and what they see as the provocative, anti-religious agenda of groups like The Satanic Temple.
A Program to Support Students, Not Undermine Faith
Florida’s chaplain program was introduced as part of a broader initiative to offer students access to spiritual guidance and emotional support through qualified religious leaders. With rising concerns about mental health, particularly among students who face social and academic pressures, DeSantis and his supporters believe that chaplains can play a critical role in providing a faith-based foundation for students in need of direction.
The program is designed to be both voluntary and parent-approved, ensuring that students who seek out chaplaincy services can do so with their parents’ consent. It’s a measure that is intended to respect the diverse religious beliefs of families while providing access to spiritual resources within the public school system.
However, when The Satanic Temple expressed a desire to participate in this program, it triggered a backlash among many Floridians who view the group as antithetical to traditional religious values. DeSantis’s decision to bar satanic groups from the program is rooted in his belief that satanism, particularly as practiced by The Satanic Temple, does not meet the standard definition of religion, a view supported by the program’s guidelines, which require participants to acknowledge and worship a supernatural entity.
Why The Satanic Temple Doesn’t Qualify
The Satanic Temple has openly declared itself to be a nontheistic organization, meaning its members do not believe in or worship a supernatural being. Instead, the group claims to focus on promoting humanistic values, secularism, and social justice, often using satanic imagery to challenge traditional religious and political norms. While its members argue that their beliefs are as valid as those of any other religious group, DeSantis and many others see the group’s actions as a form of provocation rather than a genuine expression of faith.
Critics of The Satanic Temple argue that its use of satanic symbolism is not about religious worship, but rather a deliberate attempt to undermine and mock established religions. By presenting themselves as a “religion” while rejecting the foundational aspects of faith, such as belief in a deity, The Satanic Temple fails to meet the criteria set forth in Florida’s chaplaincy program, which is why DeSantis rightfully dismissed their application.
The governor’s position aligns with a broader cultural perspective that views satanism, particularly in its modern form, as more of a political statement than a genuine religious belief system. Many who support DeSantis’s stance see The Satanic Temple’s attempt to enter the chaplain program as part of a larger agenda to blur the lines between religious freedom and secular activism.
Religious Freedom vs. Political Agendas
The debate surrounding The Satanic Temple’s exclusion from the chaplain program highlights a growing tension in the United States over the interpretation of religious freedom. The First Amendment guarantees the right to practice religion without government interference, but it also allows the state to make reasonable distinctions when it comes to defining what constitutes a religion.
In Florida’s case, the law is clear: to qualify as a chaplain under the program, one must represent a religion that acknowledges a supernatural power. This is a standard that has been widely accepted by mainstream religious communities and reflects a traditional understanding of faith. The Satanic Temple, which openly rejects belief in a supernatural being, falls outside of this definition, making its exclusion from the program a straightforward legal matter.
Governor DeSantis has been unapologetic in defending his decision, arguing that the chaplain program was never intended to include groups like The Satanic Temple, which, in his view, exist to disrupt and challenge, rather than to provide genuine spiritual guidance. “This isn’t about excluding anyone,” DeSantis said. “This is about protecting the integrity of our chaplain program and ensuring that it serves the purpose it was designed for.”
Upholding the Founders’ Vision
DeSantis’s rejection of satanic involvement in the chaplain program is also grounded in his belief that the Founding Fathers would have never intended for groups like The Satanic Temple to be considered under the same umbrella as traditional religions. The Founders, who established the principle of religious freedom, did so with a deep respect for faith and its role in guiding individuals and communities.
To equate the beliefs of The Satanic Temple — which often involve the rejection of organized religion and the use of mockery to challenge Christian values — with those of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, or other major world religions is, in DeSantis’s view, a distortion of the Founders’ intentions. The idea that satanism should be given the same recognition as other religions is seen by many as an affront to the very concept of religious liberty.
“The Founders would be appalled at the idea that the antithesis of religion would ever be considered on equal footing with legitimate faiths in defining religious freedom,” DeSantis said. His position reflects the belief that religious freedom should protect genuine expressions of faith, not organizations that use religious imagery to promote a secular or political agenda.
Conclusion: Common Sense and the Preservation of Faith
Governor Ron DeSantis’s firm stance against satanic groups participating in Florida’s school chaplain program is a defense of religious integrity and common sense. By excluding The Satanic Temple from the program, DeSantis is upholding a clear and reasonable definition of religion, one that recognizes the importance of faith in shaping individual lives and communities. The Satanic Temple, with its nontheistic beliefs and provocative practices, simply does not qualify as a legitimate religious group under the standards of the program.
As the debate over religious freedom and the role of faith in public life continues, DeSantis’s decision serves as a reminder that not all belief systems qualify as religion, and that the state has a responsibility to protect the integrity of programs designed to provide genuine spiritual support.
Eric Thompson 
Mandy Matthews