yes it needs to be direct, simple and true. What came into my head last night was "babies should die, don't kill babies." say is 3x,5x or 10x. It actually puts a picture of a baby in your head. I think it makes it less abstract. perhaps a call to repentance Yeshua and his disiples did that all the time.
I attended the Walk for Life West Coast and was among those chanting "Pro-life." It felt good at first but then was getting old after a while. I remember thinking of trying to change the chant to "Choose life" but didn't think I'd succeed. I think Jen has some valid points about the chanting. Perhaps it would be better if there were no chanting and instead just let our signs do the talking in a thoughtful and constructive manner.
I attended the March for Life in Canada for the first time last year, and I definitely agree with some of the things Jen has to say. I'm not sure her reservations about chants are particularly justified, since the March is a March, not an outreach program, The goal is to show the government and the media that you, and many other people, have a certain view. It's not really an ideal environment to change the minds of pro-choicers who care enough about the issue to come out and counter-protest. That being said, rudeness and vulgarity are never justified, but I thankfully did not ever witness that coming from the pro-life side, despite our SUBSTANTIALLY larger numbers. And the sheer number of people, and the joy that they expressed, provided (I think) a wonderful witness. However, I do agree that we need better signs. We need homemade signs that people put some thought and creativity into. We need less of the generic signs that the organizers printed out en-mass. We need signs that weren't obviously made in the year 2000 because they have dates on them. We need signs with thoughtful slogans that express love and concern for the unborn child and support and solidarity with his or her parents. And we need to make sure our signs have accurate information. Basically, if the only signs people are seeing are mass-printed, outdated and flat out wrong, we give the impression that we're just there for the day and don't truly care about the issue. This makes it way easier for people watching to dismiss our opinions.
Interesting thoughts here, Dolce. I like Students for Life's "pro-life generation" signs, but I generally agree with you on mass-produced signs, especially if they are outdated or inaccurate. You're definitely right that this is a march and not an outreach, an important distinction for this discussion. Do you think there might be a better chant than just, "Pro-life! Pro-life! Pro-life!" ?
I generally agree with Dolce, imparticularly the part about it being a march not outreach and purpose of a march. I would't change the chants because I wouldn't want to chance watering down our message for the media and government. Still for the people counter-protesting maybe there are things we can do to make ourselves more approachable. Maybe a sign that says Disagree? Talk with me. I think actually talking with someone would be better for changing hearts and minds than signs and chants. Anyone have any ideas for starting conversations with counter-protesters?
I think chanting sort of shows what the focus is. In sports, we chant "Go Team!" and not "Go Fans!" This may be the distinction between how we should cheer or chant. Chanting "Pro-life!" might divert the attention from the value of the babies to the value of the protesters,
Oh, I like Jacob's distinction. And certainly there can be better chants, but I'm not particularly good at coming up with pithy sayings so someone will have to step in at this point :)
I think this bit shows why there needs to be some change, not that the pro-lifers at the march were doing this, but there is obviously some of this still going on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq94liFIBRY&safe=active I also have some concerns about how effective the march is at times. We complain about media blackout, but the march is an annual event, and as such, takes away some of the news value, despite it being one of the largest protests in the country.
We do need a more loving message. Many post abortive women would be pro-life, but with the big blow ups of aborted children, it's too much of a trigger. I think it's hurtful to women and the pro life movement. We could be more woman friendly and have a more "love them both" mindset.
However, I do agree that we need better signs. We need homemade signs that people put some thought and creativity into. We need less of the generic signs that the organizers printed out en-mass. We need signs that weren't obviously made in the year 2000 because they have dates on them. We need signs with thoughtful slogans that express love and concern for the unborn child and support and solidarity with his or her parents. And we need to make sure our signs have accurate information.
Basically, if the only signs people are seeing are mass-printed, outdated and flat out wrong, we give the impression that we're just there for the day and don't truly care about the issue. This makes it way easier for people watching to dismiss our opinions.
You're definitely right that this is a march and not an outreach, an important distinction for this discussion. Do you think there might be a better chant than just, "Pro-life! Pro-life! Pro-life!" ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq94liFIBRY&safe=active
I also have some concerns about how effective the march is at times. We complain about media blackout, but the march is an annual event, and as such, takes away some of the news value, despite it being one of the largest protests in the country.