The Satanic Temple Files New Lawsuit Challenging Texas Abortion Law

[Chris 58,350]

TST claims SB 8 violates Texas RFRA and U.S. Constitution by interfering with their religious rituals.

SALEM, MA — The Satanic Temple (TST) has announced it is bringing a new lawsuit seeking to undo the
effects of the Texas legislature’s anti-abortion legislation SB 8. According to TST’s lawsuit, SB 8 violates
both the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the First Amendment to the U.S.

Constitution by obstructing The Satanic Temple’s religious abortion ritual. Specifically, the legislation
effectively blocks abortions after six weeks, so TST members cannot exercise an essential religious
practice once that narrow window has passed.

"All we are asking for is the ability to exercise our right to religious liberty by participating in a ritual as
part of our religion, free from government overreach," stated TST Director of Campaign Operations Erin
Helian.

RFRA was originally passed to protect religions and religious practices by requiring government
intervention to demonstrate a compelling interest in enforcing laws that interfere with religious
practices. Both RFRA and the free exercise clause of the First Amendment protect the rights of The
Satanic Temple members to engage in their religious abortion ritual up until 24 weeks.

“Lawmakers have been wise to protect the rights of religious groups, so there should be no objection
when we use them,” added Helian. “Freedom of religion goes for all religions and their rites and
practices, not just the ones Texas lawmakers approve.”

 

https://thesatanictemple.com/

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0428/0465/files/New_Texas_Lawsuit_Press_Release-FINAL.docx.pdf?v=1651780627

[Chris 58,350]

The Satanic Temple Holidays are Officially Recognized by Baltimore County

Satanist employees of the County have successfully applied for religious leave to celebrate Lupercalia

SALEM, MA — The Satanic Temple’s status as an officially recognized religion has been established by the
Judiciary. Further affirmation was provided by the city of Baltimore. In the lead-up to the Satanic holiday
of Lupercalia, a celebration of bodily autonomy, sexual liberation, and reproduction, an employee of the
Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) applied for—and received official religious leave to celebrate one
of The Satanic Temple’s holidays.

According to The Satanic Temple, the School District required some minor hoop-jumping due to Satanism
not being a ‘standard holiday’ as defined by the Maryland Department of Education. In the end, the
District acceded to the request following TST sending a letter on behalf of the BCPS employee confirming
their membership and a schedule of their holidays, including Lupercalia.

With roughly 600,000 registered members around the world, the religious status of The Satanic Temple
has been recognized by state and federal courts. Now their religious practices are being recognized as
legitimate rituals by state governments as well.

“Gaining recognition on the local level is just as important as legal or governmental recognition,” noted
TST Director of Campaign Operations Erin Helian, “This isn’t some joke; our members hold their beliefs in
Satanism and the Seven Tenets every bit as closely as followers of other religions.”

 

https://thesatanictemple.com/

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0428/0465/files/Baltimore_Religious_Leave_Press_Release.docx.pdf?v=1651780629

 

[Shawn's Slave 19,523]

Even if this law is passed I think it would still be hard to get abortions in Texas, considering all those crazy people who wait in front of abortion clinics to maim the doctors/staff so those staff are unlikely to open their business for that purpose. 

I've heard some people have to move to another state just to get abortions.