The Satanic Temple opened a second telehealth abortion facility to provide what it describes as “religious abortion services,” and sees the killing of pre-born babies as part of its “destruction ritual.”
Despite its name, TST is not affiliated with the Church of Satan, an organization founded by Anton Szandor LaVey in the 1960s. TST also has its headquarters in Salem, Massachusetts, where it holds two virtual satanic Temple services each week.
TST announced in a press release provided to The Christian Post that its new 24/7 telehealth abortion facility, “Right to Your Life Satanic Abortion Clinic,” will open in Virginia. Women will be charged a fee to obtain abortion-inducing drugs, but the group claims it will help pay for some travel-related expenses.
In a TST document shared with CP, the group claims that abortion is part of its “destruction ritual that serves as a protective rite.”
The document adds that preparations for the ritual include reading or listening to the stories of people who advocated for legal abortion to “subdue any stigmas” one might feel.
Erin Helian, the executive director of TST, told CP that the group has received funding from donors, which enabled it to open the Virginia dispensary. While TST said it hasn’t partnered with any outside organizations to operate its telehealth clinics, the group does work with the online pharmacy Honey Bee Health.
“Our staff virtually meet with each patient over a series of online visits to ensure the safety of each patient, including follow up meetings,” Helian stated.
“Our staff thoroughly discusses the potential risks with each patient, and for this reason, we urge each patient to know where their closest medical facility may be located in the unlikely event that complications may arise.”
She continued, “We do not agree with the notion that telehealth care puts patients at risk. Instead, we argue that by expanding care and access, telehealth clinics, like ours, can save lives.”
Regarding the disposal of a baby’s remains following a chemical abortion, which induces a miscarriage, Helian did not specifically answer what they advise women to do.
Instead, she asserted that most chemical abortions occur before 11 to 12 weeks, which she said results in “heavy bleeding” that she likened to a period. She added that most women will take time to recover by wearing a pad.
Miscarriages, however, even at three to five weeks, often last hours and are accompanied by severe, painful cramping and excessive hemorrhaging.
Abortion is among TST’s many advocacy campaigns, and argues that it’s a religious right. Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide, TST opened a “religious abortion clinic” in New Mexico in February 2023.
