Forty-eight years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton rulings legalized abortion in all 50 states.
“January 22, 1973, was a dark day in American history,” said Timothy Plan founder and President Art Ally. “As a nation, we went against God’s love and respect for innocent human life. We know He loves all people, because He sent His son to die on our behalf.”
Since the Court’s deadly opinions, an estimated more than 60 million unborn babies have been aborted.
It wasn’t until January 13, 1984 that the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day was proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan. Art and his wife Bonnie became active in the pro-life movement during that time.
“Bonnie and I attended a screening of ‘Silent Scream,’ which really woke us to the horrors of abortion,” Mr. Ally said. “The movie was life changing. Once you come to grips with what abortion really is, you simply cannot continue to stand on the sidelines. Not only that, but as Bible-believing Christians who were beginning to fully understand that God is Creator and Finisher of all life, to simply sit back and do nothing was not an option.”
Life Chains
The Allys began working with pro-life groups, organizing rallies and life chains. On October 6, 1991, Orlando had its first Life Chain. Art headed the organization effort.
“With the help of willing churches, we had 9,000 Central Floridians standing, side by side, lining two of the busiest streets in Orlando, holding signs,” Mr. Ally recalls. “One said ‘Abortion Kills Children’ and the other said ‘Jesus Heals and Forgives.’
“At that time, it was one of the largest life chains in the country.”
Life Chain Orlando 2020, on whose board Mr. Ally served, along with Timothy Partners board member and Liberty Counsel President Mathew Staver, had been slated for Nov. 1, but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Not a Cent”
“It was the pro-life issue that was the impetus behind our starting the Timothy Plan in 1994,” said Mr. Ally. “We wanted to give investors a way to avoid companies that aid, abet or advocate for abortion. We were also concerned about the effects of pornography on families. So, our first Biblically Responsible Investing fund, which filters out offending companies, was born. We now filter for abortion, gambling, alternative lifestyles, alcohol, anti-family entertainment, tobacco and human rights.”
Timothy Plan’s very first marketing piece included a penny with this question:
“How much money is OK to have invested in abortion or pornography? The answer is simple: Not a cent.”
Today, Timothy Partners Ltd., advisor to the Timothy Plan, is a proud sponsor of Orlando-based Choices Women’s Clinic, Minnesota-based Pro-Life Action Ministries and other pro-life groups.
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday
Churches all over the United States set aside the third Sunday of each New Year as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday to “celebrate God’s gift of life, commemorate the many lives lost to abortion, and commit themselves to protecting human life at every stage,” according to Life Matters Worldwide.
This year, that day was January 17, although some churches will observe it on January 24 because it is closer to the Roe anniversary.
March for Life
The National March for Life, which began in 1974 under the leadership of Nellie Gray (1924-2012), will be held in Washington, D.C. on Friday, January 29, 2021. This year’s theme is “Together Strong: Life Unites!”
The event typically draws hundreds of thousands of people to the Washington Monument area for a rally and then the march up Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court building.
However, this year, the organizers are asking that people participate virtually instead of coming to Washington:
“In light of the fact that we are in the midst of a pandemic which may be peaking, and in view of the heightened pressures that law enforcement officers and others are currently facing in and around the Capitol, this year’s March for Life will look different.
“The annual rally will take place virtually and we are asking all participants to stay home and to join the March virtually. We will invite a small group of pro-life leaders from across the country to march in Washington, DC this year. These leaders will represent pro-life Americans everywhere who, each in their own unique ways, work to make abortion unthinkable and build a culture where every human life is valued and protected.”
On January 24, 2020, President Trump was the first American president to attend and speak at the March for Life. Vice President Mike Pence addressed the March in person in 2019, with the president addressing the march via satellite.
State Marches
Numerous states are holding their life marches through January into March. For more information, see State Marches.
A writer for Timothy Partners, Ltd. He is a regular weekly columnist for The Washington Times and Townhall.com and is frequently published by AmericanThinker.com, DailyCaller.com, OneNewsNow.com, and others. He has authored the following books: “A Strong Constitution: What Would America Look Like If We Followed the Law” (D. James Kennedy Ministries, 2018), Invested with Purpose: The Birth of the Biblically-Responsible Investment Movement, and A Nation Worth Fighting For: 10 Steps to Restore Freedom.
