I was going to blog on something else this afternoon, but this headline was on my homepage. I don’t know what to say other than, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:17-19)
It breaks my heart that the issue of abortion comes down to this for many. Even his family, after suffering years of harassment, still took a hard line stance by saying the tragedy “is also a loss for… women across the country.” The president of NARAL was quoted as saying, “Dr. Tiller’s murder will send a chill down the spines of the brave and courageous providers and other professionals who are part of reproductive-health centers that serve women across this country. We want them to know that they have our support as they move forward in providing these essential services.”
Essential? I am strongly opposed to late-term abortions. Are 21 weeks not enough time for a woman to “choose” to abort her unborn child? As for “health of the mother” arguments, those cases make up less than a percent of abortions. And as for the “brave and courageous providers…” they’re not at risk of losing their jobs for doing what they do, unlike medical and pharmaceutical professionals who are no longer protected by a ‘conscience clause’.
But that doesn’t make this right. Nothing could ever justify taking another life in such a way. The sad irony that this unspeakable act took place in a church. And I hope, if we really call ourselves Christians, that instead of using this event to spotlight the issue of abortion, we instead lift up our prayers for his family and for forgiveness to the suspect.
Again I quote Romans, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil… Do not take revenge.”