Satanic Temple billboard in Texas town speaks out against spanking students

The Satanic Temple has taken a stance against corporal punishment by putting up a billboard in Springtown, Texas that reads, "Never be hit in school again." Image source: Twitter See which states still allow corporal punishment in schools ... less The Satanic Temple has taken a stance against corporal punishment by putting up a billboard in Springtown, Texas that reads, "Never be hit in school again." Image source: Twitter See which states still allow ... more Photo: Hemant Mehta Via Twitter Photo: Hemant Mehta Via Twitter Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Satanic Temple billboard in Texas town speaks out against spanking students 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

A Texas town got a perhaps surprising message from a Satanic Temple this week over a controversial practice allowed in schools across the state.

"Never be hit again in school. Exercise your religious freedoms," reads the billboard, taking aim at corporal punishment, which is allowed in Texas. The billboard has the Satanic Temple logo and lists the website ProtectChildrenProject.com, which is aimed at dismantling corporal punishment.

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As news station WFAA reports, putting the billboard in Springtown (about 25 miles from Fort Worth) is a strategic move since spanking students was a point of controversy for Springtown ISD a few years ago.

In 2012, the school district changed its policy when a male assistant principal at Springtown High School spanked two female students, reports the Star-Telegram. Corporal punishment from a member of the opposite sex is allowed at Springtown ISD, but only with the written consent of parents. The district's student handbook notes spanking students is allowed but parents have the option of opting out of the practice.

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According to its website, the Satanic Temple is using the First Amendment to prevent corporal punishment at school.

"We are putting the worst school districts on notice by posting billboards near their schools announcing that students no longer have to be subjected to their sadistic practices," the Protect Children Project website reads. "The Satanic Temple religiously believes in bodily autonomy, this kind of abuse is a violation of your civil rights."

The Satanic Temple's website states the group does not worship Satan. Instead, the group views Satan as being "symbolic of the Eternal Rebel in opposition to arbitrary authority, forever defending personal sovereignty even in the face of insurmountable odds."