Bound4life

Bound4LIFE is a grassroots anti-abortion organization originating in the United States. The non-profit organization was founded in 2004 by Lou Engle while gathered for silent prayer in front of the United States Supreme Court in Washington, DC. A major goal of the organization is to train and multiply the number of Christians that pray regularly for the ending of abortion.^[1]^[2]

Activism

A 2008 "Silent Siege" where youth prayed silently for the ending of abortion.

The key identifying element of the movement is a piece of red tape with the word "LIFE" handwritten on it that is worn over the mouth during prayer gatherings. "Taping their mouths shut" is a voluntary way of promoting prayer as opposed to vocal protest. In this context, prayer is described as an appeal to God as the Judge of heaven and earth.

The organization encourages participants to make a three-part pledge. The first deals with praying daily for abortion to end; presumably for the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade to be overturned. The second part calls for participants to only vote for candidates that support a similar point of view concerning abortion. The final part calls for participants to "obey God in acts of compassion and justice."^[3]^[4] Sources state that over 320,000 participants have taken this pledge.

References are also made to promoting adoption as a legitimate alternative to abortion regardless of circumstances.

Bound4LIFE participants in the past have shown interest in and have attempted to directly and indirectly influence federal and state legislation through personal contact and voter mobilization.

Reception

In its 5-year anniversary issue, Relevant Magazine listed Lou Engle and the red "LIFE" tape as one of the Top 35 Ideas That Have Changed the World.^[5]

References

^ "about "bound4life"". Archived from the original on 2008-03-20. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
^ ABC News Nightline, "God's Interns", 11/29/05
^ Make the covenant Archived March 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ Jay Tolson, "Reading the Abortion Ruling", U.S. News & World Report, April 30, 2007, p. 36
^ Debra Rosenberg, "Battles on Three Fronts", Newsweek, April 30, 2007, p. 10

[1] "about "bound4life"". Archived from the original on 2008-03-20. Retrieved 2008-03-15.

[2] ABC News Nightline, "God's Interns", 11/29/05

[3] Make the covenant Archived March 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine

[4] Jay Tolson, "Reading the Abortion Ruling", U.S. News & World Report, April 30, 2007, p. 36

[5] Debra Rosenberg, "Battles on Three Fronts", Newsweek, April 30, 2007, p. 10

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