The Society for Law, Life and Religion is dedicated to defending religious values and the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. We promote pro-life and religious values in the Harvard community as well as society at large. We support the enrichment of public policy according to faith-based moral convictions and defend religion’s place in the public square.
The Society Law, Life and Religion is a non-sectarian organization comprised primarily of students at Harvard Law School and members of Harvard’s graduate school community. We work in coordination with undergraduate pro-life clubs and local civic organizations to promote our mission. SLLR is an inclusive organization and welcomes members with diverse perspectives on the proper role of religion in shaping society.
OUR ACTIVITIES
The Society for Law, Life and Religion engages in a variety of activities throughout the school year. These activities include:
LEGAL RESEARCH
We conduct legal research and analysis on behalf of national pro-life organizations. SLLR members have assisted in drafting amicus briefs in the United States Supreme Court cases Stenberg v. Carhart, concerning partial-birth abortion, and Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, regarding the Scouts’ freedom of association in excluding a gay pride advocate from scout leadership. Most recently SLLR members contributed to an amicae brief filed on behalf of several post-abortive women in the First Circuit case McCullen v. Coakley, which challenges Massachusetts’s new abortion clinic buffer zone law.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Our annual Feast for the Family charity dinner allows students and local residents to enjoy a delicious meal and Many local restaurants participate by donating food to the event. In past years, all proceeds have been donated to local non-profit organizations that help families in crisis, including pregnancy counseling centers that help women make informed choices about unplanned pregnancies and organizations that provide shelter and counseling services to victims of domestic violence. We also recently held a baby shower for two clients of a local crisis pregnancy center to celebrate their new children and help provide for their material needs.
SPEAKERS
We bring high-profile speakers to campus. Past speakers include Leonard Leo, Commissioner of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom; John DiIulio, first Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives; and Serrin Foster, President of Feminists for Life.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EVENTS
We organize social events such as brunches, dinners and museum tours.
ATTENDING CONFERENCES
SLLR members attend local conferences, such as the annual dinner organized by the Pro-Life Legal Defense Fund, where we have heard speakers such as Robert George and U.S. Representative Henry Hyde.