Abortion: Free speech & double-think

It was both encouraging and challenging to be at the March for Life, taking a stand against abortion, on Saturday 6 September.

The morning was spent at the Emmanuel Centre in London, hearing testimonies, speeches, and discussion panels on the issue of abortion in the UK.

The statistics are grim: now over a quarter of a million abortions each year in the UK, with increasing numbers through “pills by post” with no medical supervision.

The issue of free speech was a recurring theme, as some spoke of being arrested in abortion clinic buffer zones just for praying silently, or holding a sign saying “Here to talk, if you want”. Even if arrests don’t lead to convictions, “the process is the punishment” as those involved are dragged through years of legal process.

A panel of lawyers from The Christian Institute, Christian Concern, and ADF International addressed questions from the floor about the current hostile climate. There was also a panel chaired by Lois McLatchie Miller highlighting the pain and distress caused to women by abortion and the agencies seeking to meet that need.

The extraordinary “double-think” of our culture was highlighted; there are currently proposals for bereavement leave for women who have suffered miscarriages before 24 weeks, yet in abortion the unborn child is considered worthy of no respect.

The March for Life has become the annual gathering place for pro-life agencies and supporters; there is opportunity to see what good work is being done.

Sadly, evangelicals are in the minority, but were well represented amongst speakers and presentations.

The Emmanuel Centre filled up during the morning, and by one o’clock was full to overflowing. A crowd of several thousand set off through the streets on a march to Parliament Square. This year the Square had been illegally occupied by Palestine Action supporters which demanded a massive police presence, so the route of the March was diverted through back streets; the rally was alongside the Square with stirring speeches including Carla Lockhart MP and Isabel Vaughan-Spruce.

It is good to see numbers increasing each year; those I spoke to said they were planning to bring more people with them next time. Put the first Saturday in September in your diary now!