Satanic Temple Loses Discrimination Suit Against Boston

Boston’s practice of inviting religious leaders to bless city council meetings doesn’t violate constitutional prohibitions against the government establishing a religion, a First Circuit panel held in a case brought by the Satanic Temple Inc.

The Satanic Temple sued Boston for religious discrimination after it was denied an invitation to deliver a legislative prayer, a custom at each Boston City Council meeting.

“The Constitution does not require that legislative bodies accept all speakers who request to give invocations,” the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit said Tuesday in an opinion authored by Judge Sandra L. Lynch.

The ...