Satanists push to overturn US pro-life laws so they can enact ‘abortion ritual’

Satanists have claimed they are exempt from pro-life laws in the US because the protections interfere with their “religious abortion ritual”.

In a sympathetic interview with Guardian journalist Adam Gabbatt, the co-founder of The Satanic Temple, Lucien Greaves, attempted to justify its legal action against abortion laws in Texas, Indiana, Idaho, and Missouri.

The US Supreme Court overturned its 1973 ruling on Roe v Wade in June last year, which returned power to individual states to legislate on the issue. Greaves claimed that as a “minority religion”, the Temple’s members are now prevented from practicing its beliefs.

Ritual

Of the Temple’s “seven fundamental tenets”, number three claims: “One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone.”

During its abortion ritual, the mother views their reflection before taking deep breaths and reciting two of the tenets.

Speaking of the Temple’s legal action against laws which outlaw the ritual, Greaves stated: “We have to play the long game”.

Saved lives

It was recently revealed that the number of abortions in Texas decreased by 97 per cent in the first month following the overturning of Roe v Wade.

According to statistics from the Texas Health and Human Services, 2,596 abortions were carried out in the US state in June 2022 while only 68 were performed in July.

Abortion is now only permitted in Texas to protect the life of the mother.