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2009.06.01

A Brief Discussion Regarding Dr. Tiller

The message of life should be kept consistently

There's a good deal of mostly under-the-radar discussion about the murder of a Kansas doctor, Dr. Tiller, who performs abortions. This has been the first I've heard about violence against abortion practitioners since the bombing of a couple of abortion clinics in the early nineties.

Anyone who knows much about me knows that I'm very pro-life. I sometimes break with conservatives on social issues (Prop 8 comes to mind), but abortion is a practice that I believe is wrong and I believe should be illegal (it is absolutely the responsibility of government to safeguard the life of the civically innocent, which includes those conceived but not yet born).

As someone who is deeply pro-life, therefore, I can only be disheartened and saddened by Dr. Tiller's murder. It was wrong, and out of keeping with both the laws of the United States and the principles of God. I, along with half the nation, do condemn Dr. Tiller's practice, and believe God will judge it righteously. But, we must remember that from said condemnation one may not derive the right to exact vengeance. More pointedly, the term "pro-life" means more than being against abortion; it means a fundamental and deep respect for the lives of other humans, and that respect was broken in a very real way by Dr. Tiller's murderer, who cannot claim to be any more pro-life than Dr. Tiller himself.

I pray that Dr. Tiller's murderer is brought to justice. I also pray for the reversal of the allowance of Dr. Tiller's practice. In the meantime, however, we must recognize that abortion practitioners are also civically innocent, and their lives are also to be valued as anyone else's.

comments(4) | permalink

Posted by at 3:10 p.m.

In a far cry from the 2008 campaign, I find that one of the most succinct and well-thought-out quotes on this subject comes from Sarah Palin (who usually annoys the hell out of me):

I feel sorrow for the Tiller family. I respect the sanctity of life and the tragedy that took place today in Kansas clearly violates respect for life. This murder also damages the positive message of life, for the unborn, and for those living. Ask yourself, 'What will those who have not yet decided personally where they stand on this issue take away from today's event in Kansas?' Regardless of my strong objection to Dr. Tiller's abortion practices, violence is never an answer in advancing the pro-life message.

Right on.

Posted by on 2009.06.01 at 3:12 p.m.

Couldn't agree more. While abortion is all together an awful and terrible practice, it's not within our authority or power (under the law of the United States) to systematically bring to "justice" those those who perform them. I too hope the murderer is found and brought to justice.

Posted by on 2009.06.01 at 9:27 p.m.

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