Pro-lifers urged to respond to pro-abortion conference in Grahamstown

Africa Christian Action, a leading South African voice against abortion, reports on an international pro-abortion conference in Grahamstown from July 8 to 12, and calls on Christian pro-lifers to take a stand for life.

Pro-abortion academics, activists and students from around the world will be gathering at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape from July 8 to 12 2018 for The Abortion & Reproductive Justice: The Unfinished Revolution Conference.

The conference website says the aim is to “equip attendees with skills to perform abortions, to offer abortion-related services, and to unhitch the social, cultural, and religious stigma that is attached to abortion.”

The conference is hosted by The Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction, Rhodes University, the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition (South Africa), and the International Campaign for Women’s Right to Safe Abortion, in partnership with the Department of Social Development (South African government) and a range of international partners.

The Conference website further describes their pro-death agenda: “This interdisciplinary conference aims to bring together researchers, activists, policy makers, health professionals, artists and performers, drawn from social policy, criminology, sociology, law and policy, human rights, women’s health and rights, medicine, psychology, history and the arts working for safe abortion from around the world. The conference will provide a platform for delegates to explore, identify, share and pursue learning and research opportunities on a range of issues relating to abortion and reproductive justice in context, including access to abortion, activism and abortion politics. The conference will significantly contribute to the vision of unfettered and universal access to safe abortion and reproductive justice for women the world over.”

Neither “safe”, nor a “choice”
Abortion is never safe – a helpless pre-born baby is killed and the mother is often physically, and always psychologically wounded (as numerous peer-reviewed studies on Post Abortion Syndrome testify). Other physical consequences of abortion include infections, a perforated uterus or a lacerated cervix. Abortion also increases a woman’s chance of contracting breast cancer later in life. The pre-born baby does not choose to die! The rhetoric of choice also hides the reality of coercion. Abortion is often someone else’s “choice.” 64% of American women who have had abortions felt pressured by others and this pressure is significant. A woman’s choice to keep her baby may involve loss of home, family or essential support, or abuse that can escalate to violence. Homicide is the leading killer of pregnant women.

Pro-lifers uphold the sanctity of life – that every life is valuable to God. We provide women with real choices (alternatives) and loving support, not just one choice – abortion – that pro-abortionists so often coerce women into choosing. Over 62 crisis pregnancy centres and mothers’ homes across the country help women to clearly think through all their options.

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No Pro-lifers Invited
Sadly, but not unexpectedly, pro-life groups were not invited to give presentations at the conference. Perhaps members of the National Alliance for Life can present research, particularly of an academic nature, at future conferences as a vital witness to the right to life of the pre-born.

Peter Throp, from Value Life, plans to park his “pro-life mobile” (covered in pro-life slogans, Scripture verses and pictures) outside the conference venue. He has printed 20 000 of his own Expose Lies, Lift up Truth leaflets and will also be distributing hundreds of Africa Christian Action’s Abortion – The Facts leaflets to conference participants.

He needs help to distribute these leaflets. Should you be able to assist please contact him at  truth@valuelifeabortionisevil.co.za or 082 497 0863.

If any journalists are available to get a media pass to the conference to expose the pro-death and anti-woman agenda of the conference, this could also be helpful.

Annual prolife conference – National Alliance for Life – October 6
Pro-lifers are not on the back foot. We are continuing to fight for life and set our own agenda. Representatives from pro-life congregations and organisations in South Africa are invited to participate in the annual National Alliance for Life Conference which will be taking place on Saturday October 6 from 9am to 1pm in Durban. The following day there will be the National March for Life and International Life Chain Sunday.

The National Alliance for Life (NAL) is an umbrella body that was formed in 1995 and is the only body which represents all pro-life organisations and churches in South Africa. It was formed to create a platform for times where there is a need for pro-lifers in South Africa to plan and act together. It purposely does not have a constitution so as to allow very loose, non-rigid associations, within which each organisation and church group can maintain their own identity.

The purpose of the conference is for pro-lifers to share ideas and experiences, and to strategise together for the year ahead. This is followed by the National March for Life in Durban and life chains in different cities, the next day, Sunday October 7.

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