Students for Life of America (SFLA) took the abortion debate directly to churches in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, Sept. 13, as Pro-Life Generation activists launched a church flyering effort challenging Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico’s controversial attempts to reconcile abortion with Christianity. Talarico has stated that the Bible is “silent on abortion.” 

The Austin effort is part of a much larger campaign, with SFLA planning to flyer 100 churches as the organization works to educate Christian voters about abortion and the records and rhetoric of candidates who invoke their faith while supporting abortion. More church flyering efforts are planned as the campaign expands. 

A group of pro-life advocates participated throughout Sunday’s effort in Austin, with numerous activists on the ground at one time. The group included local high school and homeschool students, SFLA team members, a recently graduated engaged couple, and a father and son who drove for hours to participate.

The Pro-Life Generation reached approximately seven churches during the effort, although activists reported that some churches removed the literature and asked them to leave. 

Outside the churches, activists also held signs and demonstrated along the roadway. Despite protesting in Talarico’s political backyard, participants reported receiving a surprising number of supportive waves and honks from passing motorists. 

One couple entering a church approached the group to express their agreement and thank the activists for being there. Another person shouted, “This is a church,” apparently objecting to the demonstration. An SFLA representative responded that protecting preborn children is consistent with Christian teaching. 

The response underscored exactly why SFLA brought the campaign to churches. 

Talarico, a Texas state representative, Democrat Party nominee for U.S. Senate, and Presbyterian seminarian, has increasingly made his interpretation of Christianity part of his political identity. But his statements on abortion and Scripture have generated national controversy. 

During an interview earlier this year, Talarico declared, “Jesus never talks about abortion. The Bible is silent on abortion,” while arguing that his support for abortion rights stems from his Christian faith. 

Talarico has also invoked one of Christianity’s most important biblical accounts, the Annunciation, to defend his position on abortion. Discussing the Virgin Mary and the conception of Jesus, Talarico argued that Mary’s response demonstrates that “creation has to be done with consent” and that a person cannot be forced to create. That interpretation has drawn criticism from Christian commentators who argue that the Annunciation concerns Mary’s consent to conception, not a right to end an already-existing human life. 

The controversy goes back further. In a 2022 sermon on abortion, Talarico argued that being Christian and supporting abortion rights are “absolutely consistent,” described Christianity as a “feminist religion,” and urged pro-abortion Christians to become more politically vocal. 

The church where Talarico delivered that sermon, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Austin, has also been identified as a “Reproductive Freedom Congregation,” a designation associated with congregations affirming abortion as a “moral and social good.” 

For SFLA, those statements make churches an important battleground for reaching voters who may hear Talarico invoke Christianity without knowing the extent of his abortion advocacy. 

Sunday’s action in Austin represents only the beginning. 

The organization’s deployment schedule identifies Austin church flyering on Sept. 13, with additional church outreach planned elsewhere. As SFLA works toward its 100-church goal, the Pro-Life Generation plans to continue bringing its message directly to Christian communities: politicians who invoke Scripture to defend abortion should expect pro-life Christians to challenge them, including outside church doors.