In a podcast clip posted on February 17, 2026, Pastor Mark Driscoll ignited a firestorm of discussion on X (formerly Twitter) by questioning the role of women in leading the fight against abortion. The clip, excerpted from an episode of The Mark Driscoll Show featuring pro-life activist Seth Gruber, likened modern abortion practices to ancient child sacrifices offered to the demon Moloch. Driscoll’s post, which garnered over 33,000 views, 262 likes, and numerous replies and quotes, posed a provocative question: “Should women be leading the charge against abortion and against Moloch? If women lead the charge, then the men have failed in their calling and men need to step it up.”
The full episode, titled “The Demonic Origins of Planned Parenthood with Seth Gruber,” delves deeply into the spiritual and historical dimensions of abortion. Gruber, founder of the White Rose Resistance, argues that abortion is a “sacrament of Satan” and a modern echo of pagan rituals like those dedicated to Moloch or Baal, where child sacrifice was tied to sexual liberation. He traces these practices back to ancient Rome, where infanticide was common, and contrasts them with early Christian efforts to rescue abandoned babies. This is standard pro-life fare.
Gruber further emphasizes that the pro-life movement has become “too feminine,” asserting that men must take the lead because “every woman gets pregnant by one,” and male involvement could drastically reduce abortion rates. He criticizes women-led pro-life organizations for opposing equal protection laws for the unborn, suggesting this perpetuates the industry. Driscoll echoes this, drawing from Genesis 3 to frame the battle as spiritual warfare suited to men’s “calling.”
“In warfare, I don’t think that [women] should be wielding AR-15s to kill people… I think that there is a role for women in every justice movement [but] that women should [not] lead the charge… and that’s often offensive to people because we think it’s just feminism when a woman is [in] high places… down the indictment on the [men].”
The Longhouse Responds
Kristan Hawkins of Students For Life, the biggest feminist in the pro-life movement, responded to Gruber and Driscoll, stating:
God has placed a call on your life to stand up and save lives and save our country, just as he did for St. Joan of Arc, Deborah, Judith, and Esther.
Do not ANYONE stop you in the mission He has placed on your heart.
Hawkins is a Catholic, so her invocation of Joan of Arc, a feminist prototype who claimed to be a prophet and was executed for heresy in 1431. The Vatican retconned her legacy in 1909. Judith is a reference to the Apocrypha, and a less reliable book among them.
Deborah did not lead men into battle. Rather, Barak sinned by bringing her on the campaign and was rebuked for it. Deborah’s portion in the narrative is quite brief, in comparison to Jael, who would get the glory of victory. But historically, it is considered shameful to bring women on campaign. Thus, Barak’s actions were worthy of rebuke.
Esther also did not lead men into battle. She fought for her people in feminine ways, such as working through intrigue.
Lizzie Marbach, the activist fired from Ohio Right To Life for her Christianity offending a Jewish Congressman, weighed in on that:
Kristan is upset because Seth Gruber said that men should be leading the fight against abortion, not women. But Seth is so obviously correct here. One of the biggest reasons abortion is still legal and rampant today is due to the prolife movement’s feminization & feminism run rampant.
Everything in the PLM is catered towards women—the messaging, the laws, the events. Everything. Men & their opinions are very obviously a second thought, or just unwanted altogether.
One of the biggest disagreements I had while at [Ohio Right to Life] as comms director, was that I said we needed to cultivate a more masculine tone, and my superiors disagreed. I wanted to use terms like “murder” and “justice,” and they said it was too offensive for women.
Let’s remember what we’re fighting against: literal child sacrifice. Sorry, ladies, but yes that does require male leadership. That does require a harshness that men bring. That does require the kind of strength that men possess.
As he said, yes there’s a place for women in the fight, but it should never be the front lines. We should never be the generals. And if we are, then that is a sign that something has gone terribly wrong and is a judgment on the men.
This highlights why pro-life messaging has been highly ineffective. The ongoing debate and election defeats have showcased weakness in current pro-life leadership exemplified by Hawkins and Lila Rose.
Powered by RedCircle
One Response
Good article. I, a woman, stand with Pastor Driscoll, Seth, and Kristan’s understanding of the situation. Because women love being in the spotlight and naturally love to talk, it’s gonna be hard for them to put down the microphone.