Who gets to decide which are 'real' religions?

[WellPreserved]

Satanism wasn't officially recognized as a religion by the US Government until 2016. The US military has recognized Satanism as a religion since the mid-70s. Satanists in the military can freely practice their religion, ask for religious accommodations, and request chaplain support just like those who practice any other religion. DeSantis is well aware of this.

As the bill is written, anyone can volunteer as a "chaplain" with no credentials necessary. If I were a parent of a student in Florida, I'd prefer an atheist Satanist chaplain well over Westboro Baptist pastor Fred Phelps, lol. According to DeSantis, the former wouldn't be allowed but the latter would.

[Slimshandy]

Satan-ism

It's to make a political and rhetorical point, as you know. It's a f**k you to religious oppression.

Specifically, their view of Christian religious oppression.

[MonarchMom]

I am opposed to any religious leader being installed in a public school to replace trained and vetted professionals.

[Della]

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/poli ... 372354007/

a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday would allow volunteer chaplains to provide support services for public K-12 students.

"We're not playing those games in Florida," DeSantis said at a press conference at a high school in Kissimmee. "[Satanism] is not a religion. That is not qualifying to be able to participate in this."

At the moment, it's the folks behind the Seven Mountains Mandate.

[Traci_Momof2]

I am opposed to any religious leader being installed in a public school to replace trained and vetted professionals.

I agree with this. If a child needs some type of religious counseling, then it's up to the parents to take the child to see their priest, pastor, chaplain, whatever. It should have absolutely nothing to do with the school.

[Pjmm]

No strong opinion. To each its own, but I don’t support satanism or want anything to do with it.

I'm not fond of satanism although it has some morality rules. Or so owlnuggets said in the old CafeMom. She used to discuss the religion which I found interesting. But God help me if it pisses off DeSantis, the book banning Moms of whatever, Liberty I think, and fundamental Christian groups, I'm all for it. Really these groups and DeSantis are their own worst enemies. If they lived and let live the Satanic Church would probably go elsewhere. It's like banned books. Ban something and everyone reads it because they want to see the hype. Parents get mad and buy the book out of principle. But I bet if they let it sit quietly on library book shelves 90 percent of children wouldn't read To Kill a Mockingbird or The Color Purple. Maybe we should thank the Moms of Whoever for bringing attention to these unique books and religions.