The Satanic Temple challenged the City of Boston’s discriminatory practices of selective invitations for legislative prayers before the US First Circuit Court. Boston’s counsel argued that it is free to sideline minority religious groups like The Satanic Temple because it can impose arbitrary requirements. The City’s attorney also claimed the invocations are government speech, and it is free to reward political supporters with invocation invitations. The Satanic Temple rejected these arguments. Instead, TST relied on legal precedent and the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits the government from favoring any religion over another. If Boston prevails, a dangerous precedent would be set where state and local governments can privilege their preferred religion over others.
