The Silent Battle Cry
Photo: Joshua Abaya/CRIT-LARGE
There were no “lock her up” chants, no “build the wall” yells, nor cries of “make America great again.” There was nothing equivalent to the catchy but enraged “no Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA” hyperbole seen at mainstream rallies. At the 2019 Texas Rally for Life, the air was rather quiet. You might not have known that a few thousand people had descended onto the Capitol grounds. In fact, there was very little actual “rallying.” The amount of justified moral outrage was… radically absent. I was almost disappointed. Let me explain.
I’d never been to a march like this one. I’ve been to other marches and rallies, so I expected something that mirrored what I saw at the Dallas Women’s March last weekend: something a little bit more fired-up, a little bit more… angry. Especially considering the dire importance of the subject matter. But as I reflected on the nature of the event and the attendees, it was revealed to me that they were different.
Most attendees, from our team’s observations, were religiously Christian and/or politically conservative. These two groups understand the seriousness and the solemnity of the issue of abortion. Conservatives realize that abortion is the great, glaring human rights violation still alive in the United States. They also understand that life begins at conception; a fact that science is constantly proving. Christians, meanwhile, know that all humans, from conception to birth, to the grave, are imbued with value given to us by God, being made in the likeness of God.
Because of these two groups’ worldviews, they tend to interact with the world in different ways than others. Whereas third-wave Feminists may ‘shout their abortions’ and shriek about issues because they believe their own rights are being threatened, pro-lifers are having to stand in defense of others’ lives. Pro-lifers must speak out in favor of those unseen, instead of merely their own personal interests.
Conservatives also understand that, when they cause a stir, they are not likely to receive the benefit of the doubt in media; they will not be treated with kid gloves. Every move is monitored and scrutinized. They are not likely to bombastically broadcast their beliefs like their “we’re here and we’re queer” counterparts. Furthermore, conservatives, by definition, are likely to be more reserved; unradical; regressive.
Christians, because of their rearing, tend to act in similar fashion. In my experience, Christians aren’t often likely to cause a stir unless in defense of an injustice; they aren’t typically rebellious in their disposition.
Christians are called to act in kindness, gentleness, and self-control; essentially, the fruits of the Spirit. Christians believe they are called to humble themselves. Wisdom manifests itself through deeds done in humility. They are also taught that the meek will inherit the earth. It is necessary for Christians, also, to be peace-loving.
It is for these reasons that you may not see Christians at the front of picket-lines and rallies. For many, these qualities that make “right-wing” marches and rallies different than others may be seen as weaknesses. For the participants, those qualities are their fulfillment.
To give an example of a person that would typify the opposition to the pro-life movement would be simple: one of the few protesters I witnessed was a young, obese woman walking down the street who was completely topless. There’s not much that could more clearly contrast the attendees' behavior than a vulgar, attention-seeking, crude display of lewdness. She also lacked any regard for the children that were everywhere. The only thing the young woman could have done to complete the picture of opposition would have been to angrily hurl expletives.
The rally was incredibly uplifting. It shone as an encouragement to those seeking support, dealing with issues of unplanned father- and motherhood. Events like this instill hope in the hearts of those that value responsibility over convenience, joy over comfort, and life over death.
It will not be reported on as much as the Dallas Women’s March was. A quick Google search will prove it got about a tenth of the coverage, despite being an event at least equivalent in size also held in the state’s capital.
This tells me that Christians and Conservatives need to do more. They need to be ever-present in the public eye, doing what they have been called by conviction to do. My message to you is to not stay quiet; to be a little louder. In fact, when we look to Jesus we see that he lived his life as a revolutionary in his words and actions because he devoted his life to his Father’s cause.
To promote the cause of life, pro-lifers need to constantly be in the public ear about the over-60 million killed. You need to never stop posting and sharing the articles that prove life exists within that “clump of cells.” Pro-lifers, never stop beating the drum that proclaims the value of life.