The Satanic Temple Says Supreme Court’s Abortion Ruling Violates Religious Freedom
The Satanic Temple is challenging the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade on the grounds that it violates its ‘religious freedom’.
Evangelical Christians believe abortion is murder and say it conflicts with their religion, however The Satanic Temple is threatening a legal fight against Texan lawmakers arguing on the opposite side of that argument.
They say controlling women’s autonomy violates their ‘belief system’, according to Upworthy.
"TST stands alone because we are the only entity that can assert a religious liberty claim that terminating a pregnancy is a central part of a religious ritual that encourages self-empowerment and affirms bodily autonomy," they said in a statement.
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Following the court’s decision last week, abortion became illegal immediately in Texas after ‘trigger laws’ were passed.
However, the Texan organisation is now fighting the bill, slamming it as a ‘major setback’ for women’s reproductive rights.
On their website, their mission statement reads: “While the SCOTUS (Supreme Court Of The US) decision is clearly a major setback, the Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed religious rights.
“The Satanic Temple is currently suing the state of Texas to protect our civil rights.
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"Our Texas claims are untethered to the due process Clause.
"They are a direct interpretation of the right of conscience in the Free Exercise Clause.”
Along with challenging the Supreme court’s decision, The Satanic Temple also revealed they would attempt to sue the US Food and Drug Administration for restricting access to the pill.
Satanic Temple spokesperson, Lucien Greaves also issued a statement that read: “I am sure Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton — who famously spends a good deal of his time composing press releases about Religious Liberty issues in other states — will be proud to see that Texas’s robust Religious Liberty laws, which he so vociferously champions, will prevent future Abortion Rituals from being interrupted by superfluous government restrictions meant only to shame and harass those seeking an abortion.”
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Greaves disclosed to Inkstick that the ability to make their own informed decisions while being able to govern their bodies was ‘sacrosanct’ to the group.
According to the organisation’s website, its mission is always 'to encourage benevolence and empathy' while rejecting 'tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense and oppose injustice'.
The Satanic Temple has also previously denounced hate groups and has worked behind campaigns that champion the human rights of Americans nationwide.
While their name might raise a few eyebrows amongst conservatives, this might be the last chance to shoot down Texas' anti-abortion bill.
Charisa Bossinakis