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Christianity Today, June (Web-only), 2009 |

Speaking Out

Abortion Violence and American Democracy

The ironic relationship between the pro-life movement and its radical fringe.

Jon A. Shields | posted 6/03/2009 10:38AM

The shooting of abortion physician George Tiller continued a long, dark tradition in American politics. Radicalism on the fringes of social movements has been a surprisingly enduring phenomenon in American ...

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Rosa	Posted: June 15, 2009 1:36 PM


I think we should do everything in our power (legally and morally, with love) to stop "someone else" from getting an abortion. It's stopping the taking of an innocent life, and God most certainly expects us to do that.

Doug	Posted: June 12, 2009 2:37 PM


"We can only hope that imprisoning Tiller's killer will put an end to abortion-related murders ..." Probably a dozen abortion-related murders took place while this comment was being typed in. Just wondering what kind of people they would have been without abortion ...

Scared

Posted: June 12, 2009 12:17 PM


I think that Jim Black (Comment below) will be on the news very soon.

Joshua Cookingham

Posted: June 06, 2009 9:31 AM

Okay, the REASON that so many comments seem to be against George Tiller, is because the guy was a murderer. There is no question about it, a great deal of the abortions he provided were late term, when the baby is fully developed, so i'm left wondering how much "choice' was viewed as legitimate(why do we never consider the child's 'choice'?) Now, that being said. His murder was unquestionably and equally as wrong. The law is the law, we have no right to murder someone, even a murderer. But please, don't write nonsense about how Jesus would be sick and would leave the possiblity of being pro-choice to the Christian, the Bible is clear "you shall not murder" it's non-negotiable. Jesus would weep over George Tiller's death, he would not thank him for his services.

rethinking religion

Posted: June 05, 2009 8:50 AM

The comment "fringe elements are marginal" is off base completely. Do you consider killing doctors "marginal"? If so what would be the situation if it were not marginal, outright killing of anyone who sought an abortion? I was raised in a religious home, and attended church all my life until the church decided to dictate the civil liberties of other citizens of our country as if you know what is best for each person. That is God's job, not yours, and I now counsel my grandchildren to study the bible at home and not get involved with church groups who see it as their duty to deny people their rights. I followed Dr. Graham for years and attended all of his services that I could get to, and am now sorrowful that he and his group think they are doing good work when their followers are killing people inside their own church. Marginal? I think not.

MerryKate

Posted: June 04, 2009 8:46 PM

Ruth's comment: "Children are our hope our future and our responsibilty. Yet, we do not support programs, activities or organizations that protect the children already born" is inane, and it's the type of rhetoric that liberals use constantly to defame pro-lifers. The fact of the matter is that most ministries and social programs that protect children would collapse in days if conservative christians withdrew their support. Ruth, if you feel you don't do enough, then change your behavior - but don't reflect your guilt on the rest of us. Take a gander at the book "Who Really Cares?" by Arthur C. Brooks to get the real picture of how crucial christian conservative support is to service organizations around the world.

Gregory Peterson's Conscience

Posted: June 04, 2009 1:32 PM


Wow, I can't believe I'm saying these deranged and creepy things. Somebody help me, please!!!!!!

Ruth	Posted: June 04, 2009 10:05 AM

I am sick, just sick of thinking about what Jesus would say to this profound Christian dilemna. Children are our hope our future and our responsibilty. Yet, we do not support programs, activities or organizations that protect the children already born. We only want to adopt healthy infants, who look like us, so what is the mother of the unborn child to do? I have many friends and family members that have lost their children in the critical stages of gestation 1 week to 26 weeks. These babies had no chance at survival. I have felt the pain of those that wanted children and could not have children, but Ihave also witnessed these same people unable to adopt a child with handicaps, racials differences or too old to consider for offering a home. I do not believe in abortion, but I have no right to stop someone else from that action. My responsibility lies in helping them see their future, the future of their child and what God has in store for them both.

Jason

Posted: June 04, 2009 9:38 AM

The problem, from a Christian perspective, is that many in the pro-life movment (particularly the fringe) forget this verse on a regular basis: "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" Matthew 5:44 Do I hate abortion...yup. Is there a better way...you bet. Am I called to hate the doctors who perform this procedure...nope. I'm to pray for them and love them like Christ...end of story. If I value life, then I should value theirs as well. They too were created to be image bearers of God Almighty and are not beyond the grace of God. My prayer is that the church would rise up...as the church...and move back into our communities, our schools and begin to care for kids again. To give girls the ability to love themselves, honor their bodies and their virginity, and offer love and support for those who have made devastating choices in this area. But we need to do it as the church. We will never legislate morality...but we can change culture!!

Gregory Peterson

Posted: June 03, 2009 11:02 PM

How very "cute" of Shields not to mention 'radical' conservative Christian violence. you know, whipping slaves and slave breakers (read Frederick Douglass), the KKK, the endless murders, racial lynchings and bombings most everywhere in the country, the Birmingham Bombing, The Waco Horror, the Rosewood Massacre, Tulsa 1921, the much celebrated by conservative Christians, assassination of Dr. King (Go read CT's coverage of Dr. King over the years and you'll not wonder why), the blood soaked traitors of the Confederacy, such as Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson...for starters. How do you sleep as night, anyway?

Nevermind name

Posted: June 03, 2009 8:47 PM

My three children were unplanned and I have not always been moral: one when I was l in high school, in 1963, but I raised him as a single mom with support from my parents while I was carving out my career. Next pregnancy in 1967 and I married the father, a professional man who adopted my first one as well. Years later (first husband died), kids are grown, I was 44 and believing I would hardly conceive at that age, and got pregant. Married the father, our daughter is now 19. Each time, I could have been a poster girl for very practical "choice." I chose to NOT abort. Good "choice"! Wanna see pictures of my wonderful kids? I love them. PS My morality improved.

Christian Lawyer

Posted: June 03, 2009 7:24 PM

Just reading the comments on these pages makes clear that the "mainstream" pro-life movement is much more radical than the author is willing to acknowledge. WAY too many folks who comment seem to kinda sorta side with the assassin. And, the notion that it's all the fault of the media for focusing on the extremes is rich given that that's precisely how CT and other conservative publications cover anything having to do with gay marriage, abortion, or politics. See anything written by either Mollie Zieglar Hemingway or Stan Guthrie. Or the basely dishonest review of the new Terry Schiavo propaganda piece, which perpetuates the lies from the fringe of the fringe, lies that are completely refuted by evidence in the court files.

Godbot

Posted: June 03, 2009 7:13 PM

So, two-fifths of the five commenters so far think that abortion equals nazism and that it is "possible" that the killer was an "agent of God's wrath." This kind of idiotic "mainstream" rhetoric encourages (and yes even causes) the kind of absolutely non-Christian violence now walking through the doors of our churches. Jesus Christ would be - 'scuse me IS - saddened that the religion that claims to speak in His name has become "relevant" only insofar as we are able to minimize its socially and politically detrimental effects. I will continue to try to understand the teachings of and live by the power of the resurrected Son of God, the Christ - but "Christianity's" time is done.

anon	Posted: June 03, 2009 5:29 PM


"I am a Christian, but also am for a woman's right to choose and control her reproduction." Why do people act like "reproduction" is a inanimate object and not a life?

Jim Black

Posted: June 03, 2009 4:48 PM

Yeah. Like the anti-slavery 'radical fringe' and the anti-holocaust 'radical fringe' before them. How DARE they try to stop murder. Someday we will see those who are complicit in terminating the life of unborn children in the same light as we see the Nazis, slave owners and Stalin/Lenin/Mao/Pol Pot/Kim Jung Il today - as the infrastructure support to the murderers they are. Think of the people that were sitting outside the concentration camps baking applies pies for their returning SS Troops and making love to them. Or those 'Christians' who enjoyed a comfortable worship service and a delicious meal with friends while others were being kept in slavery around the corner. Or Or Or Or Or Or. Or talk to a beautiful young woman who survived an intended abortion and ask her if we should honor and effectuate her parents desired conclusion to their unfortunate pregnancy. Or perhaps just read what Margaret Sanger REALLY wanted to accomplish. But for sure we should not show any pictures

Clay	Posted: June 03, 2009 4:09 PM


I don't condone murder of any kind, but who is radical exactly? Killing children is radical. We can't condone murdering an abortionist as a strategy. However, I would be careful about claiming to know the mind of God on this. Is it possible that this man was used as agent of God's wrath?

Bill	Posted: June 03, 2009 2:51 PM

What radicals are you talking about Joe? What "mainstream" radicals go about killing others with a gun in church? I am a Christian, but also am for a woman's right to choose and control her reprooduction. There are other faithful believers out here with views different than your own. What is this "mainstream" that you keep talking about? "Mainstream" as in rule of law? "Mainstream" as in rational. "Mainstream" as in science? "Mainstream" as in normal? Please specify.

Joe	Posted: June 03, 2009 12:13 PM


There is a huge difference between "prolife radicals" and other radicals. Prolife radicals are few exceptions, and the mainstream not only do not support their actions, but reject them. Most other radicals are either part of or approved by their mainstream groups. As Christians, we need to make this distinction.

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