The possibility of the overturning of Roe v. Wade has many abortion groups taking drastic measures against pro-life counterparts, especially among communities of faith. From protesting outside of several conservative-leaning Supreme Court justices’ homes to vandalizing pregnancy resource centers, the intimidation tactics point to the escalating tension between pro-lifers and pro-abortionists as they await the final verdict on Roe.
This past weekend was no exception. In Houston Sunday morning, activist demonstrators from the group Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights infiltrated early service at Lakewood Church. Megachurch Pastor Joel Osteen’s sermon was brashly interrupted by several protestors in the audience, who stripped down to their undergarments and shouted pro-abortion slogans and expletives.
“My body, my f***ing choice!” One pro-abortion Twitter account shares footage of the disturbance, where several women rip off their dresses and begin chanting in their underwear, only to be promptly met by security guards ready to escort them out of the sanctuary. “Overturn Roe? H*** no! My body, my choice!” Even as they were guided off the premises with onlooking churchgoers cheering, they continued to chant and waved their green bandanas, which according to Left Voice, is an originally Argentinian symbol of solidarity for “the right to legal, safe, and free abortion.”
Osteen continued speaking amidst the disruption, “We love everybody so we just thank the Lord that He’s in control and He has all things in His hands, and I think as long as I keep talking you can’t hear what everybody else is saying.”
In a continuation of the available Twitter footage, the underwear-clad protestor shouts in the parking lot, “We’re here today to break the silence and stand up, because the Christians are not afraid to bother us, and health care clinics, and doctors’ offices trying to get us sexual health care, so why the f*** wouldn’t we bother you in your own home where the laws are coming from?”
According to National Catholic Register, the protest leader explained that Lakewood Church was chosen as a target due to its large broadcasting base of over 200 million households of viewers. Lakewood Church has not responded to The Washington Stand’s request for comment at the time of this article’s publication.
Protestants weren’t the only ones on the receiving end of pro-abortion demonstrations this weekend. This past Saturday, at the monthly Witness for Life event in New York City, things got out of hand during the peaceful two-block rosary processional from the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral to the nearest Planned Parenthood facility. A hundred protesters from various New York pro-abortion groups overwhelmed the Catholic marchers and harassed them with verbal assaults, pushing, shoving, trying to take the crucifix, and shouting at the police protecting the processional, according to a report by the National Review. TWS reached out to the sisters at the Respect Life office of the New York Archidiocese but were unable to get a hold of those who attended Witness for Life at the time of publishing this article.
Mary Szoch, Family Research Council’s director for the Center for Human Dignity, shared her thoughts with TWS on why pro-abortion protestors would demonstrate at church services and events. “[They’re] targeting communities of faith — especially Catholic communities because of their consistent commitment to the truth that an unborn child deserves protection beginning at the moment of conception.”
As attacks against faith communities keep coming, how should Christians respond to the escalating tension leading up to the Dobbs decision? FRC’s director of the Center for Biblical Worldview, David Closson, believes that Christians shouldn’t be surprised by attacks or opposition due to holding a pro-life stance.
“I think it’s important for Christians, even those who may tend to shy away from confrontation, to understand that they are on the right side of the issue when it comes to abortion,” says Closson. “The Bible affirms the personhood of preborn children from cover to cover, and it’s important to hold our ground on this issue, understanding that we are standing on the authority of God’s Word and the witness of 2,000 years of faithful Christians who have come before us.”
Marjorie Jackson formerly served as a reporter for The Washington Stand.
