The music you listen to matters
By James Wood
The importance of pop culture in general and music in particular in molding public attitudes about social issues is hardly a debatable point. Neither is it debatable that most celebrities, musicians and singers, support abortion. But there is a growing number of artists who oppose the destruction of innocent human life, and their work is highlighted by Rock for Life, a Christian rock organization. Christian rock bands now have more exposure as ever-increasing numbers of people, especially young people, listen to their inspirational yet ever-so devastatingly-true-music.
Rock for Life is tied in with three other organizations: Youth Outreach Program of American Life League, Reality Check, and Crossroads Inc. Combined, they form the largest pro-life educational organization in America, with over 375,000 supporting families. Rock for Life also has 80 to 110 chapters across North America, including one in Alberta and two in Ontario.
Rock for Life works with pro-life musicians and bands such as Cool Hand Luke, Critical Mass, Steadfast and Tragedy Ann who's last CD One Nation Under God has sold impressively. Their latest single "Viva La Revolution" has been heard on radio stations across North America. These bands along with many others listed on www.rockforlife.com, all convey a pro-life message whereas many popular musicians - for instance Alanis Morrisette, Madonna, No Doubt, Dave Matthews Band, to name just a few - support abortion. Most often it's by giving a portion of ticket or album sales to pro-abortion organizations such as Planned Parenthood.
"Hopefully when people see that part of the money from their CDs is going to a pro-abortion cause, they might change their mind and buy a pro-life band CD," Sara McKalips, assistant director of Rock for Life told The Interim.
Rock for Life is a relentless organization, and is always doing their part to voice their concerns on life issues. They host concerts featuring educational booths teach young music fans on life issues. Recently they held three concerts spanning 11 days and a major concert on July 12, 2002 feature nine bands and several pro-life speakers.
They also help Christian bands produce CDs. McKalips said that Rock for Life always does all they can to get pro-life band names out there for the public to hear.
Rock for Life also distributes pamphlets outside schools, speaks at youth rallies, participates in peaceful and legal street activism, and provides women with alternatives to abortion in crises pregnancy situations.
Rock for Life has an on-line store available on their website where they sell "Abortion is homicide" T-shirts, sweaters and bags. There is also a pro-life action starter kit. In fact some high school students in the past have been suspended for wearing Rock for Life shirts. The organization assists the students by connecting them with the Thomas More Law Centre so they can challenge rules that attempt to silence pro-life messages.
Their mandate is music and education. They hope to have people realize that many popular bands support abortion through their dollars and lyrics, but also that there is also good music which features the truth. "We want to see a culture of life restored, and to see more people getting involved," said Mckalips. "Our vision is to see young people take a stand on life because it's our generation that's been killed sine 1973," she said referring to the babies killed since the Roe v. Wade decision 29 years ago.
