A federal appeals court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by The Satanic Temple against Missouri abortion laws.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit upheld a lower court’s dismissal of the lawsuit Tuesday. The judges tossed the lawsuit because the woman at the center of the case was not pregnant when she sued.

The anonymous Satanic Temple member who had an abortion had sued over Missouri’s mandatory “informed consent” counseling 72 hours before abortions. She alleged that the laws violate her religious beliefs.

Satanic Temple members don’t believe in a literal Satan but see the biblical Satan as a metaphor for rebellion against tyranny.

A Missouri Attorney General spokeswoman praised the ruling. Satanic Temple attorney James MacNaughton says he’s disappointed judges didn’t rule on the case’s merits.

Courtroom
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
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