Satanic Temple Announces Abortion ‘Religious Ritual’ as Means of Exemption From State Laws

 ‘Thyself Is Thy Master’: Satanic Temple Announces Abortion ‘Religious Ritual’ as Means of Exemption From State Laws

By Heather Clark on August 10, 2020

SALEM, Mass. — The Satanic Temple (TST), which describes itself as non-theistic and considers Satan a metaphor for autonomy and rebellion rather than a literal being, has announced the creation of a “ritual” to be conducted whenever a woman obtains an abortion in an effort to obtain an exemption from state abortion regulations under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

“The Satanic Temple is proud to announce its religious abortion ritual, a ceremony rooted in our deeply-held beliefs,” an announcement page on its website states. “This ritual may be performed by our members as a way to fortify self-worth, instill confidence, and provide spiritual comfort.”

According to a letter TST created for mothers to present to abortion providers, the ritual involves placing oneself in a “meditative and contemplative state” and reciting certain tenets written by the organization.

“The abortion procedure is central to the ritual,” the letter states. “Throughout the process, I will place myself in a meditative and contemplative state and will focus my mind on diminishing my doubts and reinforcing my confidence in my ability to make decisions that affect my body.”

During the abortion, the third and fifth tenets of TST are to be recited. They state, “One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone,” and “Beliefs should conform to one’s best scientific understanding of the world. One should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit one’s beliefs.”

Upon completion of the abortion, the mother of the now-dead son or daughter is to declare, “By my body, my blood; by my will it is done.”

The organization says that because the abortive act is now consequently linked to the performance of a religious ritual, any state laws and regulations that serve to be a “burden” on the woman’s religious exercise and “substantially interfere with … [those] practices” would violate the federal RFRA.

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