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Jun. 2nd, 2009 01:45 pmA friend asked me today for my thoughts about Dr. Tiller's murder, and his work. This is my reply, slightly expanded:
Regardless of my feelings about abortion, I'm anti-murder. While I'd certainly say there are times when killing might not be inappropriate-- self-defense, or defense of a loved one-- this killing doesn't qualify in any way. And the deliberate killing in church, in front of other worshipers, disgusts me.
I'm not in fact anti-abortion, though late term abortion for any reason but health troubles me (this could include mental health of the mother). I don't believe the New Testament speaks to the question at all (which is telling, since in fact it could have); and I don't think the Hebrew Testament bits about killing of an unborn child apply to a situation where it's the mother's wish. Beyond that, I'm not sure how logical I am. Emotionally, I can easily imagine being pregnant in circumstances that would make it unbearable; and I don't think death is the worst thing that can happen to an unborn child, weird as that may sound. Being brought into a world where abuse, neglect or severe physical suffering are inevitable seems as bad if not worse to me. Jesus' emphasis is on compassion, and in many cases compassion for both mother and child seem to sometimes point to abortion as the best of bad choices. I'm mostly one of those who would like to make abortion unnecessary, or at least rare, through education, birth control and adoption.
Many of my Methodist friends, and probably most of my Lutherans, are likely anti-abortion- but I haven't the faintest doubt that they're equally horrified by Dr. Tiller's murder.
Regardless of my feelings about abortion, I'm anti-murder. While I'd certainly say there are times when killing might not be inappropriate-- self-defense, or defense of a loved one-- this killing doesn't qualify in any way. And the deliberate killing in church, in front of other worshipers, disgusts me.
I'm not in fact anti-abortion, though late term abortion for any reason but health troubles me (this could include mental health of the mother). I don't believe the New Testament speaks to the question at all (which is telling, since in fact it could have); and I don't think the Hebrew Testament bits about killing of an unborn child apply to a situation where it's the mother's wish. Beyond that, I'm not sure how logical I am. Emotionally, I can easily imagine being pregnant in circumstances that would make it unbearable; and I don't think death is the worst thing that can happen to an unborn child, weird as that may sound. Being brought into a world where abuse, neglect or severe physical suffering are inevitable seems as bad if not worse to me. Jesus' emphasis is on compassion, and in many cases compassion for both mother and child seem to sometimes point to abortion as the best of bad choices. I'm mostly one of those who would like to make abortion unnecessary, or at least rare, through education, birth control and adoption.
Many of my Methodist friends, and probably most of my Lutherans, are likely anti-abortion- but I haven't the faintest doubt that they're equally horrified by Dr. Tiller's murder.
