Oklahoma has become the first state in the nation to allow students to earn elective credit for religious education courses taught by The Satanic Temple (TST), following Governor Kevin Stitt’s signing of House Bill 1425 in June 2024. The controversial legislation, which mandates public schools to adopt policies permitting off-campus religious or moral instruction during the school day, has sparked fierce backlash from Republican lawmakers and conservative groups, even as it opens the door for TST’s Hellion Academy of Independent Learning (HAIL) to operate in the state.
The HAIL Program: A Secular Morality Curriculum
The Hellion Academy of Independent Learning (HAIL) is TST’s educational initiative, designed to provide students with classes rooted in the organization’s Seven Tenets, a set of principles emphasizing compassion, justice, bodily autonomy, and scientific reasoning. Notably, TST does not worship a literal Satan or endorse supernatural beliefs; instead, it uses Satan as a symbol of rebellion against authoritarianism and dogma.
HAIL courses, which will be available to Oklahoma students as early as fall 2025, must meet secular criteria for credit approval, including:
Minimum classroom instruction time.
A syllabus outlining course requirements and materials.
Assessment methods and instructor qualifications.
Parents must provide written consent for their children to participate, and students can miss up to three class periods weekly to attend off-campus sessions. TST emphasizes that its goal is not to proselytize but to ensure equal access for its members’ children amid growing Christian religious initiatives in public schools.
Republican Fury and Constitutional Irony
The bill’s passage has infuriated Oklahoma Republicans, many of whom supported HB 1425 as a means to promote Christian moral instruction. State Representative Dick Lowe (R-Amber) warned the law could expose schools to lawsuits, arguing, “If you allow some [religious groups] because you agree with their beliefs… you’ve just opened yourself for a lawsuit.” Meanwhile, conservative groups like the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) downplayed TST’s involvement. Greg Chafuen of ADF dismissed concerns, stating, “Those groups… teach something different, and I wouldn’t be concerned about that.”
The backlash intensified as State Superintendent Ryan Walters simultaneously mandated Bible instruction in public schools, calling it an “indispensable historical and cultural touchstone.” Critics, including TST co-founder Lucien Greaves, accused Walters of promoting Christian nationalism. “We’re defending religious liberty for everybody and opposing tyrannical motions aimed at instilling a theocracy,” Greaves told Public Radio Tulsa.
Governor Stitt’s Role and Broader Implications
Governor Stitt, who championed HB 1425 alongside Superintendent Walters, now faces scrutiny for enabling TST’s entry into Oklahoma schools. The bill passed with bipartisan opposition but was celebrated by religious liberty advocates as a win for parental rights.
The Satanic Temple’s federal recognition as a religious organization—granted by the IRS under the first Trump administration—has further fueled debates. While TST’s status ensures its eligibility under HB 1425, opponents argue the group’s presence highlights the unintended consequences of blending religion and public education.
A Constitutional Reckoning
The situation underscores a constitutional principle: if states permit one religion in schools, they must allow all. TST’s June Everett clarified, “We’re not trying to convert students… but if they want to hang the Ten Commandments, we’ll fight for our Seven Tenets to be included.” Legal experts warn that Oklahoma’s embrace of Christian policies, such as classroom Bible mandates, creates a legal obligation to accommodate other faiths—a reality Republicans now confront.
As HAIL prepares to launch, Oklahoma serves as a national test case for religious pluralism in education. The message is clear: efforts to impose one religion in public schools will inevitably open the door to others, whether lawmakers like it or not.
Related: Oklahoma HB 1425 Text | HAIL Program Details
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