Why did our video go viral?
During my NYC trip last October, I met up with fellow atheist and long-time SPL supporter LP. We filmed a quick TikTok in Bryant Park. On Dec 21 we finally got around to posting it across platforms.
For context, if one of our TikToks gets more than 1,500 views or one of our Instagram reels gets more than 10,000 views, they’re doing better than average.
This video currently has over 80,000 views on TikTok, and over 475,000 on Instagram.
Serious question: why? Watch it below and someone tell me why.
I can’t predict what will go viral. I have no idea why this video took off.
But it’s been wonderful. The video has gained us 1000s of new followers on TikTok and Instagram. And I’ve had way too much fun arguing with people in the comments.
Trolling aside, the video has inspired four specific categories of responses:
1. Conservative and Christian pro-lifers relieved and happy to have solidarity.
Christian pro-lifers are constantly told to stop pushing their religion on people, even if they’ve made zero references to religion, and religion isn’t the primary reason they oppose abortion. As soon as pro-choicers get any hint that the pro-lifer they’re talking to might be Christian, they play the “freedom of religion” card and think the conversation is over.
The “freedom of religion” argument for abortion is nonsense legally and ethically, and we can try to explain that, sure. But sometimes it’s nice to be able to simply say “Well these people are pro-life and atheists, so now what?”
2. Secular and progressive pro-choicers who cannot believe we have the audacity.
If non-traditional pro-lifers speak up about this issue, we regularly have our natural social circles tell us “You can’t be progressive and pro-life” “You can’t be a Democrat and pro-life” “You can’t be atheist and pro-life” etc.
I delight in modeling the proper response: “I can. I am. How will you stop me?”
3. Secular and progressive pro-lifers pleased to be represented.
Secular and left-leaning pro-choicers are surprised by our video in an irritated way. Secular and left-leaning pro-lifers are surprised in an elated way.
One of my favorite parts of working for SPL is letting non-traditional pro-lifers know they have a place.
4. Pro-choicers who kinda like the video.
This last category is probably the rarest: pro-choice people who don’t agree with us but still find SPL’s content refreshing or intriguing. We don’t see this type of response a lot, but on a video this viral there will be some of these comments.
Don’t think of them as pro-choicers. Think of them as potential future pro-lifers. 😉
If you appreciate the kind of reactions we’re inspiring, donate to help us continue our good work.
Here’s hoping more of our videos resonate like this in 2025!
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