Move is in response to parental requests for alternative to Christian ‘release time’ religious instruction

Summary

The Satanic Temple will launch a religious program, HAIL (Hellion Academy of Independent Learning), at Edgewood Elementary in Marysville, Ohio, offering an alternative to the evangelical LifeWise program.

LifeWise, part of a growing “release time” religious instruction trend, removes students weekly for Christian teachings.

Critics argue it alienates non-Christian students and raises concerns about religious pluralism in schools.

The Satanic Temple’s HAIL program emphasizes empathy, pluralism, and critical thinking in its program, removing students monthly.