Satanic Temple Discrimination Claim Sees Friendly First Circuit

Satanic Temple Inc.'s religious discrimination claim against Boston met a supportive First Circuit, which signaled the city’s process for choosing speakers for a legislative prayer could be unconstitutional.

The Boston City Council customarily holds a legislative prayer before each meeting, and councilors tend to invite a religious leader from the community to bless the occasion. The Temple sued Boston after it requested and was denied an invitation to deliver the legislative prayer, arguing the tradition violates constitutional prohibitions against the government establishing a religion.

“There is a potential fear of serious establishment clause concerns,” Judge Sandra Lynch said during oral ...