Before I begin, I'll state for the record that while I acknowledge the complexities of debates on abortion and the intrinsic insufficiency in attempts to delineate what should be deemed a legal right and what is murder, I am not fond of the rhetoric nor the actions of pro-life activists. This would serve as a good example why.
It has certainly not escaped anybody's notice that the shooting occured in Church. I will go further to point out the hypocrisy in using murder to purportedly prevent or denounce that which is deemed murder, though this should be entirely clear to you already!
It has furthermore not escaped the notice of the author of the article linked to earlier that despite being a "eaceful" organisation, the founder of pro-life activist group "Operation Rescue" could not resist the opportunity to air his hostile (and insensitive) views. And look, even Westboro Baptist Church got in on the action!
Therefore it is my hope that despite the significant loss to womens' health services that this signifies, that this event may elevate Dr. Tiller to a state of martyrdom, thus strengthening the momentum of (for lack of a better term) morally liberal movements.
The link doesn't seem to work for me, but I'll just add my two cents anyhow.
The very use of the term 'murder' when describing abortions is emotional blackmail. A fetus is not a person, therefore it is not murder. The killing of a doctor is murder. These guys need to get their definitions striahgt.
A fetus is not a person, therefore it is not murder. The killing of a doctor is murder.
I really don't want to start a discussion on this right now, but while the comparisons between these two states are perfectly clear, what is less clear is when a person is granted that state of personhood. After they're born? When they develop a functional neurological system after 22-26 weeks? As soon as they're conceived?
This is partially why it is significant that Dr. Tiller ran a late-term abortion clinic. Not even all doctors would agree with such a practice, though Dr. Tiller has been quoted as saying that his agenda was to provide medical service to those in whom pregnancy endangered the life of the mother.
Which only serves to further highlight the ignorance of his critics.
After they're born? When they develop a functional neurological system after 22-26 weeks? As soon as they're conceived?
Birth is the threshold, as that is when they are their own entity. Children, even up to their early teens are not legally considered as responsible for their own actions, therefore how could a fetus be considered a person?
The implications considering fetuses as people would bring legally would be disastrous.
Shoot, that's because I originally wrote the hyperlink in html and when I converted to BBCode, I forgot to remove the quote marks!
I actually just read an article on it in the newspaper, but thanks for the link anyway.
On a separate npte, I did not realise how brave/badass this guy was in the first place. Prior to this, he has been shot twice in the arms, and had his clinic bombed. Despite this he has continued. Props to the man.
why would people shoot in churches? why cant they just do it outside? I mean if you wanna shoot someone you cant have witnesses! I think that guy was caught and was like "dam* i should have did it outtside!"
Just another case of a religious person not practicing what they preach. It's a shame, and it's rather pathetic. There are better ways to resolve differences.
Just another case of a religious person not practicing what they preach. It's a shame, and it's rather pathetic. There are better ways to resolve differences.
I agree, but to all those trying to judge all pro-lifers because of this, try again. You can judge the murderer, certainly, but not people unrelated to the murderer. I've never even held a gun, so you certainly can't call me a murderer. I am fully against physical action and violence when debating abortion (but that should be obvious because I'm hanging around on AG). But it also pisses me off that this psycho had to shoot him in a church, as Legend Beast said. That's a stupid place to shoot somebody, no matter what.
I am a pro-lifer. By that I mean I am against all murders. Such as abortions and the unjustified murder of abortionists.
I'm pro-choice when it comes to aborition and when I heard the story on CNN this morning I couldn't believe it. Dr. Tiller was at church of all places, can't the sanctity of that be respected? I understood that both sides condemed the murder but this isn't the first time that anti-abortionists have used violence in the on going debate. Now when I say this I don't claim all pro-lifers are violence driven individuals, but the tally of attacks on pro-choice advocates are much higher than those on pro-life advocates.
I do recognize that there has been violence against pro-lifers but pro-choice advocates have been the targets of more (more being number, not degree) violent attacks. I'm all for peaceful protests outside clinics as it is our right under the first amendment, but going as far to shoot someone or bomb a clinic is just wrong and takes all the wind out of your argument.
All I have to say is "Live by the sword, die by the sword".
Thats a pretty cold thing to say. Tiller himself had a family and had the courage to still perform abortions at his clinic even after being previously shot once before coming out of his clinic. Just because his work coincided with something people don't agree with doesn't mean he deserved to be shot and killed.
I am against abortion. I was suprised when I heard that he was killed. All I have to say is "Live by the sword, die by the sword".
So, do you think it's justifiable for someone who's pro abortion to walk into a church & blow it up with explosives? I mean, if they're going to be violent against doctors performing abortions, then I would say it's open season on them too.
