Pro-life chains

On Saturday, April 24, SPUC branches across the country stood on roadsides in their areas for two hours with billboards to make up the annual pro-life chains. This year there was a special significance with the election around the corner. The intention is always to generate thoughts in people's minds and discussion among families when they see messages like "women deserve better than abortion" and "abortion kills children and hurts women". But the hope this time around was to also get people thinking about these crucial issues when they go to the ballot box.

I joined the chains in Hull at Raich Carter Way, in Kingswood. There were about 20 people who lined the roadside. It's about the fifth time I've done one of these things and I always say it's something I can't stand doing, but something that needs to be done. In fact, two hours a year is the very least you can do to carry out public witness for the unborn, who have no voice of their own.

With experience at doing the chains comes a good idea of what to expect. Most of the locations are places where there are not likely to be many pedestrians and this is certainly the case with the chosen spot in Hull. When you take part, you learn very quickly why this is the preferred option. Having the vs flicked at you and various other hand gestures coupled with unpleasant language being shouted out the window are all fairly common reactions. Unfortunately, this time, one of our members got a milkshake and a bottle of coke thrown at him. The gentleman was sitting down in a fold up chair and the missiles hit his placard and splashed up onto his clothes. Nothing serious - but an indication of the kind of abuse you can get.

However, most of the reaction is of a reflective nature. The majority slow down a little, drive past the placards, take the message in and go on their way. And, I would say about 15 to 20 per cent, is positive reaction with people either beeping their horns and putting their thumbs up or simply nodding their head in agreement.

Whatever the response, the experience is a fascinating one, but also a type of penance. It's pretty borning holding a placard for two hours and therefore is a good time to pray and reflect, particularly parts of scripture that warn Christians that they will be ridiculed in the cause of right. We estimated that we must have reached out to at least four or five thousand people in those two hours. Who knows what the conversations are in the cars further down the road. But we can be sure that these pro-life chains generate at least a pin prick in the conscience of our nation.

(I apologise for the lack of pictures. I haven't been able to afford another camera since my other one got lost on the way to the Holy Land)