By Michael Travis
News Editor
When Pepperdine senior Elisha Witt began a Los Angeles chapter of the anti-abortion organization Rock For Life, she had a purpose in mind.
“I have a passion to speak for the unborn,” Witt said. “I want to tell the truth about abortion to teenagers and young adults. There are so many people that want to make it seem easy to eliminate the life of a human child.”
Witt just barely began the organization but hopes to incorporate Pepperdine students into the group.
It is not, however, a Pepperdine club.
Students appeared to agree with the idea Witt promotes.
“It sounds like a good idea to me,” freshman Stephanie Miller said. “I’m also a Christian and I believe that life is in the hands of God and it should not be decided by man.”
Other students also hold the Christian pro-life viewpoint.
“Since this is a Christian school and the Bible says life is sacred, I think the club is a good idea,” Heather Ilizaliturri said.
Rock For Life bases much of its philosophy on Christianity.
Leaders of the organization rely heavily on Christian doctrine in protest activities.
“As Christians, we see a value in human life,” Sara McKalips, assistant director of Rock For Life said. “We feel like (Rock For Life) is our ministry, and that we are serving God in this.”
The mission statement of Rock For Life encourages its members to hold prayer and worship services in front of abortion clinics.
The organization focuses on using music as a medium to send out a pro-life message to the nation’s youth.
Its leaders claim that the majority of modern music is saturated with a pro-abortion message that is misguiding young people.
“Rock For Life started because the director, Bryan Kemper, noticed music was being used for pro-abortion causes like Rock for Choice and Planned Parent-hood,” McKalips said. “Rock For Life is a response to that trend.”
Chapters across the country spread the anti-abortion message in a variety of ways.
The primary method of doing this, as indicated by the organization’s name, is through rock concerts that feature Christian and secular rock bands that spread a pro-life message through their music.
These include bands such as Tantrum of the Muse, P.O.D., Grace for the Fallen, Christ Connection and Holistic.
Chapters and respective members of Rock For Life are also encouraged to speak at concerts and youth rallies, distribute flyers and pamphlets to students, and take part in demonstrations and protests in their area.
November 14, 2002