ADVERTISING HYPOCRISY: PRAYER, GOD AND "KILLED BY ABORTION" NOT ALLOWED IN CLASSIFIEDS OBITUARY

Despite assurance from Cape Argus Editor Chris Whitfield last year that Africa Christian Action could place an obituary notice in memory of aborted babies in the Personal Column (they refuse to publish it in the Deaths Column), a Classifieds Advertisement Supervisor stated that Independent Newspapers finds the wording "too explicit" and that Advertising Standards Authority regulations prohibit the use of the phrases "babies killed by abortion" and "May God have mercy on South Africa".

The Classifieds Advertisement Supervisor further stated that such an "explicitly worded opinion regarding abortion is not allowed in an advert".

Christian Action Network Co-ordinator Taryn Hodgson asked to see these requirements in writing but the Classified Advertisement consultant was not able to send them to her.

On contacting the Association for Communication and Advertising, they informed us that it would cost R684 to have the obituary wording checked by a lawyer.

We checked the Advertising Standards Authority code on their website and did not see any regulations pertaining to wording on deaths, or mention of God.

Die Burger and other newspapers have had no problem in publishing similar notices commemorating the babies in their Deaths Column.

Tune in to Salt and Light tonight!

Tune in to Salt and Light tonight at 9:00pm on RadioTygerberg, 104FM (or listen online at www.104fm.org.za ) as we discuss The Battle for the Mind in the News Media and the hypocrisy of Pro-Abortion media.

Would a Marie Stopes advert deceptively advertising "safe and pain- free terminations of pregnancies" be allowed in the Personal Column? It seems that double standards are being applied. Are God and prayer also being censored from ads?

This seems a violation of our right to freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

In saying that "babies killed by abortion" is an "opinion", is Independent Newspapers suggesting that babies killed by abortion are not real people or are not really "killed"?

These Independent Newspapers and ASA regulations indeed seem hypocritical when sexually explicit ads that objectify women and advertise women-exploiting brothels are tolerated in the classifieds and elsewhere in newspaper advertisements.

On 1 February 1997 abortion-on-demand was legalised in South Africa. By 1 February 2011 an estimated one million South African babies have lost their lives through abortion - legally - with tax-payers' money.

Cape Town: Today Tues day, 1 February 2011, a funeral procession was hosted by the Christian Action Network in memory of the thousands of babies, killed by abortion, who have never had a funeral.

Marchers carried Christian flags and crosses and were led by a hearse. A six metre billboard trailer, with the words, "Abortion Kills Babies", and "Speak Up For Those Who Cannot Speak For Themselves" (Proverbs 31:8) followed the marchers.

120 Christians, including numerous pastors from different denominations, took part in the procession and gathered afterwards to pray outside the main gates of Parliament in Cape Town.

Cheryllyn Dudley, ACDP Member of Parliament told participants of the Prayer Rally that the ACDP's proposed private member's Bill to amend the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act was rejected by the Portfolio Committee on Private Members' Bills last year. The Bill proposed that abortions take place at facilities with counselling providing full opportunity for discussion of the physical and psychological risks of abortion and alternatives, having observed live ultrasound pictures of their pre-born baby to enable truly informed consent.

Participants at the Prayer Rally prayed a Scriptural Imprecatory Prayer , calling on the nation and government leaders to repent of the national sin of abortion and warning of God's Judgement if they do not Repent.

A woman who has had an abortion testified at the Prayer Rally about the terrible psychological after-effects caused by her abortion but also of the forgiveness and healing she found through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Throughout the country many church congregations and concerned individuals observed 30 January as Sanctity Life Sunday . They reflected on the tragic reality of abortion and proclaimed the sanctity of human life.  

A pro-life demonstration and prayer rally took place this weekend in Boksburg and in Potgietersrus today, and other pro-life demonstrations will be held in Durban and East London this coming weekend. (See contact details below).

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves." Proverbs 31:8

Durban: Life Chain, Sunday, 6 February, 2pm - 4pm, Ballito Drive, meet at Everfresh Food Market parking area, contact Nina McNeil, Christians for Truth: 032 -9462738 or Bruno Hlongwane: 082 417 6646 (English or Zulu interviews) or mail@cft.org.za .
East London: Life Chain, Sunday, 6 February, 2 pm. Meet in Cheltenham Rd, in front of Clarendon Junior School and then walk to Frere Hospital main entrance. Contact Frans 082 774 6649 or Judy 043 726 9900, jvan@iafrica.com .

Download pro-life materials free from the Christian Action website .

Africa Christian Action
PO Box 23632
Claremont 7735
Cape Town
South Africa
Tel: (021) 689 4481
E-mail: info@christianaction.org.za
Website: www.christianaction.org.za