Salem-Based Satanic Temple Sues Indiana, Idaho Over Abortion Bans

SALEM, MA — The Salem-based Satanic Temple is expanding its lawsuits against states enacting near or full abortion bans on the basis that the restrictions violate the civil rights of The Satanic Temple members in those states.

The Satanic Temple previously sued Texas over its abortion restrictions and over the past couple of weeks filed similar lawsuits against Idaho and Indiana, according to Axios.

The Temple claims that abortion restrictions violate TST members' freedom of religion because "terminating a pregnancy is a central part of a religious ritual that encourages self-empowerment and affirms bodily autonomy."

The Temple's website dedicated to its "abortion ritual" states: "The ritual is not intended to convince a person to have an abortion. Instead, it sanctifies the abortion process by instilling confidence and protecting bodily rights when undergoing the safe and scientific procedure."