Access to reproductive healthcare and abortion has been abruptly blocked in many parts of the country in the wake of the Dobbs decision. The Religious Reproductive Rights campaign (RRR) has kicked into overdrive to safeguard TST members’ reproductive rights. Over the past several decades, state and federal judiciaries and legislatures have created significant legal privileges which allow religious entities to exempt themselves from various laws under certain conditions. One of the more well-known examples of this privilege is the US Supreme Court’s decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, where the Christian-owned corporation was exempted from the mandated coverage of contraceptives in the Affordable Care Act. This was made possible due to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). The same legal exemption that allows Hobby Lobby’s religious beliefs to supersede federal law also applies to TST.
The Satanic Temple is utilizing RFRA and the First Amendment to protect access to abortion and contraception. Though other religious groups have begun filing lawsuits, TST has a unique advantage in our legal arguments because only TST has an Abortion Ritual and a bodily autonomy tenet explicitly incorporated within our religious practice. In addition, we have put forth other constitutionally sound arguments.
WHAT WE ARE DOING
The Satanic Temple has initiated state and federal litigation with lawsuits filed in Texas, Indiana, and Idaho. In Texas, TST is challenging the state’s restrictions and bans on abortion in a lawsuit filed against the Texas Health and Human Service Commission. In Indiana and Idaho, TST is challenging those states' discrimination and conception of fetal personhood. We will see whether the judiciary affirms their respective state's constitutional protection of bodily integrity and the right to religious freedom. TST’s past lawsuits over Missouri’s informed consent laws succeeded in getting Missouri’s Attorney General to lift the mandatory ultrasound requirement.
Donate NowWHAT WE PLAN TO DO
As the fight over reproductive rights and bodily autonomy escalates, TST needs financial assistance to perform its necessary work. Donations support TST, our efforts to provide access to reproductive healthcare to members, and our legal efforts to establish religious exemptions from laws that restrict abortion access.
Lawsuit challenged Missouri's abortion access requirements as an infringement of Free Exercise and Establishment clauses.
The Satanic Temple et al. v. Parson (2018): Missouri’s various requirements before an abortion procedure infringe upon the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses.
Mary Doe v. Nixon (concluded 2019): Further suit against Missouri’s pre-abortion requirements, with the addition that such provisions violate Missouri’s RFRA.
Lawsuit against Texas abortion restrictions claiming that under Texas RFRA and US Constitution, TST members are religiously exempt.
The Satanic Temple v. Holcomb: Litigation initiated following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in Indiana to establish the Satanic Abortion Ritual is exempt from those states’ anti-abortion legislation. Lawsuit challenges the legality of forced pregnancy under the Fourth and Thirteenth Amendments.
The Satanic Temple v. TX Hlth and Human Svc (filed with US Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit Sep. 2022): Suit against Texas abortion restrictions, again arguing US Constitution, Texas Constitution, and Texas RFRA exempt TST members.
The Satanic Temple v. Little: Litigation initiated following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in Idaho to establish the Satanic Abortion Ritual is exempt from those states’ anti-abortion legislation. Lawsuit challenges the legality of forced pregnancy under the Fourth and Thirteenth Amendments.
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.
