This piece by Terry O’Neill highlights the pro-life scene and a speech Preston Manning gave recently to Signal Hill, a B.C.-based pro-life group:

…in a speech on May 11 to more than 600 Signal Hill supporters, Manning repeatedly stressed that pro-life advocates had to be “wise like serpents, gracious as doves.” And he drew a direct parallel between the struggle to end abortion and the fight to end slavery in the British Empire.

That latter engagement lasted more than half a century, he pointed out. At first, it was led by Quakers, who advanced well-meaning, high-minded and morally indignant arguments against slavery. They got nowhere. And it was only when a new group, led by the likes of William Wilberforce, adopted a new strategy of drawing attention to the suffering associated with slavery that progress was eventually made.

The lessons are clear, Manning said. Put service before sermons. Broaden one’s base. Ensure that your tactics are wise and gracious. And do not let zeal for the cause override your long-term plan.

I suppose the problem here is that one man’s zeal is another man’s moderation…

I do tend to think that all the intellectual reasoning is already present in the pro-life movement. The enthusiasm is present. Good people are present. So what will win the cultural war is good communications of those strengths and the appropriate channelling of that enthusiasm.

Again, I say, time to rent Amazing Grace (again). Love that movie.