The group, which is named after the Greek god Priapus, believes that the phallus is the source of life, beauty, joy, and pleasure.

[3] Cassidy took inspiration for the Montreal temple from a shortly defunct group of the same name he encountered in San Francisco in 1979, which was itself founded in 1973 after another one in Calgary, Alberta in 1972.

[4] Cassidy said in 2014 of the San Francisco temple, "They were doing important community outreach, like helping homeless gay youth".

[2] The phallus is to be worshipped, which can be accomplished by a variety of sexual acts, including group masturbation.

[3] Similarly, fellatio is strongly encouraged; the Temple of Priapus sees it as a commandment, a good deed which has positive effects not just for the recipient but for society in general, a practice facilitating world peace.