“The next two years are critical for the pro-life movement as well as for the nation,” according to a year-end review by Dennis Howard, president of the Movement for a Better America, an ALL Associate group. MBA is starting its 16th year as a pro-life think tank.
“The movements biggest test is whether we can succeed in winning the hearts and minds of the under-45 generation, which has never known a time when abortion was illegal,” said Howard. He pointed out that the older generation that led the fight against Roe v. Wade is now fading, and a new generation of leaders must take their place if the pro-life movement is to survive and prosper. “The burden is now much more heavily based on winning hearts and minds than ever.”
“Persuading the under-45 generation is critical because they are the generation that has been most affected by abortion. Yet surveys show they are much less orthodox in their religious belief and practice. Like the prophet Jeremiah, we have to work harder to demonstrate that immoral behavior brings predictably disastrous results in this life as well as the next. We have to sharpen our message and our strategies if we hope to achieve a pro-life America within our lifetimes. We need both words and action.”
MBAs effort to spread the word about the disastrous economic impact of abortion continues to resonate as the nations long-term economic crisis deepens. Howard has appeared as a guest on numerous talk radio shows, and hes spreading the message through social networking web sites such as Facebook and YouTube in addition to MBAs own web site (www.movementforabetteramerica.org).
Moreover, Howard said that the pro-life movement must also accomplish these three tasks:
1. We have to decide whether we are a movement or a bunch of organizations. Without unity and solidarity, we will fail. American Life League has led the way with its Associate Program. But in far too many places, churches wont lend a hand to pro-life groups, and some organizations act as if they are the only game in town. Unless we work together, well never achieve the pro-life majority we need to win.
2. We also need to reach out to other movements with compatible objectives. For example, 67 percent of Tea Party members identify as pro-life. That makes this a great way to spread awareness of the economic impact of abortion and other social issues. Thats why weve started a pro-life tea party not to compete, but to work with others in what is certainly a great new wave. We have to catch that wave and make respect for life a part of the larger discussion. See http://www.pro-lifeteaparty.org.
3. Finally, we have to get our facts straight or risk losing credibility. To illustrate, Howard explained, “Just the other day, I ran across a press release claiming that 43 percent of all American women have had abortions,” Thats pure nonsense and only supports the pro-abortion side. (According to an MBA analysis, between 1970 and 2010, only 23 percent of women in their child-bearing years had abortions.)
Howard, who has years of experience in journalism and marketing, also announced that MBA is offering a free initial consultation to any ALL Associate group interested in reviewing its marketing communications program. He may be contacted at: .
For more information on American Life League’s Associate Program, click here.