TAKING ON FAKE ABORTION CLINICS
TST launches initiative to expose fake clinics across the United States
Crisis Pregnancy Centers, also known as “pregnancy resource centers” or “pregnancy support centers,” are structures that disguise themselves as abortion clinics to attract people who are dealing with unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. The centers often provide misinformation and promote a religious agenda to dissuade people from seeking abortion services. Centers are not HIPAA compliant, so they are not required to protect the information or identities of those who visit. There are roughly 3,000 of these fake clinics in the United States. The Satanic Temple has created flyers that disclose these facts about crisis centers. The flyers are intended to be downloaded from our website so that volunteers can distribute them outside of the fake clinics to people who might not be aware of their mission.
THE SATANIC TEMPLE VS. TEXAS (1)
TST Demands Religious Exemptions to Texas Abortion Law
On behalf of Ann Doe, a Temple Member, The Satanic Temple has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Houston Division alleging that certain state-mandated abortion regulations violate TST members' religious beliefs pertaining to the ceremonial Abortion Ritual. TST is suing the state of Texas for imposing deceptive and medically unnecessary regulations which include:
Prior to filing the lawsuit, a letter was sent to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, demanding an exemption from the abortion restrictions on behalf of Ann Doe. The exemption was denied, obstructing Ann from participating in the ceremonial ritual, thus denying her religious freedoms. The Texas government violated the Free Exercise Clause and RFRA by infringing on Ann's religious rights by not allowing her to freely practice her religion by performing a ceremonial ritual.
THE SATANIC TEMPLEVS. TEXAS (2)
Texas Abortion Law Interferes with TST's Religious Practices and Must Not Be Enforced
In response to the passing of Texas legislature SB-8 and its effect as of September 1, 2021 – The Satanic Temple expresses that SB-8 statute guidelines pertaining to the detection of embryonic or fetal cardiac activity at 6 weeks into a pregnancy is in direct violation of Temple members’ rights to the Satanic Abortion Ritual, and insist these rights be upheld. SB-8, also known as the Texas Heartbeat Act, does not allow abortion after the detection of a heartbeat. This is a direct violation of Texas RFRA, infringing on members religious rights.
RELIGIOUS ABORTION COUNSELING TST PETITIONS MINNESOTA TO MAKE ITS ABORTION COUNSELING MATERIAL AVAILABLE TO PROSPECTIVE ABORTION PATIENTS
In Minnesota, the “Woman’s Right to Know” law requires those seeking an abortion to be given written material about pregnancy, fetal development, and abortion. The state's pamphlet violates TST's fundamental tenet that beliefs should conform to best scientific understanding. To counter misleading and questionable content while still adhering to Minnesota state law, TST has updated the Minnesota Department of Health’s counseling material by providing commentary and adding our own religious-based scientific content.
THE SATANIC TEMPLE VS. THE FDA
TST Demands Religious Access to Medical Abortion Drugs
Mifepristone and Misoprostol are drugs used to induce an abortion. Each state has its own laws involving access and use. Mifepristone requires special licensing for doctors to prescribe. The Satanic Temple is demanding the FDA affirm its legal right under the Federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act to obtain and administer these prescription drugs as part of its abortion ritual under the guidance of licensed healthcare professionals. This is the same law that grants Native Americans the right to access peyote, a controlled substance, for its religious rituals.
SUPPORT THE SATANIC TEMPLE
The Satanic Temple, Inc. is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax-deductible
in accordance with IRS rules and regulations. The Federal Tax ID is 82-3404757.
