Today, Wichita Doctor George Tiller was shot to death at the Reformation Lutheran Church, where he was serving as an usher for services.
Whether or not you agree with the late-term abortions that Dr. Tiller's Women's Health Care Services clinic provided (his was one of only three clinics nationwide that would provide the procedures after the 21st week of pregnancy), there is no escaping the fact that this is an act of terrorism.
And it seems to be condoned by some pretty influential people who profess to be Christians.
Randall Terry, founder of the anti-abortion group "Operation Rescue" said in a prepared statement this afternoon that he was less concerned about Tiller's murder than he was that the "Obama Administration will use Tiller's killing to intimidate pro-lifers into surrendering our most effective rhetoric and actions."
What "most effective actions" would those be, Mr. Terry? Assassination?
Even Troy Newman, President of the Kansas-based Operation Rescue group (at least publicly) condemned Tiller's murder, calling it a "cowardly act."
Randall Terry didn't even have the decency to say anything like that.
Mr. Terry, by refusing to denounce Dr. Tiller's killing, you've tacitly endorsed it.
Instead of issuing a statement similar to Newman's, Mr. Terry instead used the news flurry created by Tiller's murder to pound the drum:
"Abortion is still murder. And we still must call abortion by its proper name; murder."
That's fine, Mr. Terry. You continue to call it murder.
And, in turn, we can call the actions of your minions by their proper name:
Christian Fundamentalist Terrorism.
I'd just like someone to point out to me which of Jesus' teachings advocated it.
h/t to Shannyn Moore
Whether or not you agree with the late-term abortions that Dr. Tiller's Women's Health Care Services clinic provided (his was one of only three clinics nationwide that would provide the procedures after the 21st week of pregnancy), there is no escaping the fact that this is an act of terrorism.
And it seems to be condoned by some pretty influential people who profess to be Christians.
Randall Terry, founder of the anti-abortion group "Operation Rescue" said in a prepared statement this afternoon that he was less concerned about Tiller's murder than he was that the "Obama Administration will use Tiller's killing to intimidate pro-lifers into surrendering our most effective rhetoric and actions."
What "most effective actions" would those be, Mr. Terry? Assassination?
Even Troy Newman, President of the Kansas-based Operation Rescue group (at least publicly) condemned Tiller's murder, calling it a "cowardly act."
Randall Terry didn't even have the decency to say anything like that.
Mr. Terry, by refusing to denounce Dr. Tiller's killing, you've tacitly endorsed it.
Instead of issuing a statement similar to Newman's, Mr. Terry instead used the news flurry created by Tiller's murder to pound the drum:
"Abortion is still murder. And we still must call abortion by its proper name; murder."
That's fine, Mr. Terry. You continue to call it murder.
And, in turn, we can call the actions of your minions by their proper name:
Christian Fundamentalist Terrorism.
I'd just like someone to point out to me which of Jesus' teachings advocated it.
h/t to Shannyn Moore
6 comments:
An equally pertinent question to "who would Jesus torture?"
As for Terry: I've escorted terrified young women through his gauntlet, and I've got some "effective rhetoric" in my middle finger for him.
There have also been a few shootings on the east coast. This is not new stuff. Do you remeber the clinic bombings a few decades back?
As I commented on Ms. Moore's blog, the shooter is not a terrorist. He is a murderer, no doubt and should be tries as one.I find it odd that the same group of folks that caution us not call all memebrs of Islam fundamentalist terrrorists is so quick to mlabel their own citizens. Face itthe person who shot this doctor left the tenets and beliefs of christaianity behind when he made the decision to take a life.
Now had he blown that buliding up, that would be a terrorst act and under U.S. law should be tried under the penalties of high treason. That's right any U.S. Citizen that performs terrorist acts on U.S.. soil is guilty of treason.
This has applied to evry clinic bomber, sabotuer of research clinics, and evn tree spikers. It also applied to Patty Hearst.
I do not understand why our government is so reluctant to bring the most severe charges against these folks.
As for me; well I do not condone abortion, I also do not condone the death penalty. To me favoring one over the other is simply hypocritical. My sympathy to the family and friends of Doctor Tiller.
Peace
Griff
Wow! I really wish I could edit my post after the fact. Sorry for the typos. Never type before coffee.
Peace
Griff,
We'll probably have to agree to disagree on this one.
I believe that in addition to the murder of Dr. Tiller, this act was also designed to invoke fear in those persons who might avail themselves of the services that Dr. Tiller's clinic provides (or now, once provided?)... even if they were patients for something completely other than that which Dr. Tiller gained notoriety.
There is also no doubt in my mind that had this act been committed by someone of the Muslim faith, it would have immediately been branded "terrorism" by the mainstream media.
The glee with which some anti-abortion people have greeted this heinous act proves that while they may believe they are engaging in a noble cause, they have, without a doubt, abandoned the teachings of the one they purport to follow.
I share Shannyn Moore's (and several other people's) opinions that Talking Head© Bill O'Reilly and a few more share some blame in this whole matter.
For the record: I, too, think while sometimes it is a medical necessity, as a means of birth control, abortion Sucks™ big time.
Frankly, I don't know anyone who is "pro-choice" who is actually "pro-abortion."
You and I do share a belief about the death penalty. In my opinion, all the arguments in favor of it fly in the face of reason, and it boils down to nothing more than state-sanctioned retribution.
Thanks for your comments, Griff, it's always good to have well-reasoned debate.
As a woman in my 40's, I have never known one woman to use abortion as birth control. I would like to know where that comes from. I have known 2 women who had abortions. The decisions were not flip or instant. The decision was preceded by days and days of torment. You may believe abortion is wrong, I may believe that, but it doesn't have any relevance on my choice to have one. It is between me and my doctor and the significant other and my God. I am very glad I never had to make this decision. I don't know if I could have an abortion, but again, it is my body and who are these people to decide what is best for me and my family? I am very glad that I have the choice.
I also would like these people to support the women who decide to keep their babies. The people who believe this is a good thing do not want to help the women and their families after the birth. Why is that?
Thanks, Vera.
I freely admit that as a male, when it comes to understanding what any woman considering an abortion must go through, I simply don't know what the hell I'm talking about.
You've said it much better than I ever could.
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