Today much of Europe is on holiday, commemorating Pentecost. Photo, candles at the historic St. Saulve Abbey, Montreuil-sur-Mer, France.
It is deeply tragic when the religious right - whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish or any other faith - decide they are above the law. For decades, religious right groups targeted Dr. George Tiller, before he was murdered Sunday morning in church. No matter one's views about abortion, the law provides this option for every pregnant woman. Dr. Tiller operated strictly within the law. And he did not deserve to die.
Dr. Tiller is the latest victim targeted by extremists or domestic terrorists. Five police officers were killed in recent weeks. And hate groups are on the rise - no doubt fueled in part by the ignorance and intolerance espoused by certain irresponsible talk radio hosts and faux "news" television commentators. Read Mark Potok's editorial in the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Report about the dangerous resurgence of hate groups.
Cecile Richards at Planned Parenthood issued a statement about Dr. Tiller's murder:
"...Dr. Tiller was the epitome of high quality medical care underscored by deep compassion for his patients. While he was not a Planned Parenthood provider, Dr. Tiller provided critical reproductive health care services, including abortion services, to women facing some of the most difficult medical circumstances. He was continually harassed by abortion opponents for much of his career - his clinic was burned down, he was shot by a health center protestor and he was recently targeted for investigation, only to be acquitted by a jury just a few months ago.
"None of this stopped George Tiller from his commitment to providing women and their families with compassionate care that others were unwilling to offer.
"His death is an enormous loss for the patients who relied on him, his dedicated staff and the medical community. And it is also a loss for each of us for whom Dr. Tiller represented courage against unbelievable adversity."
Religious fanatics murdering someone in his church during services. If that isn't evil, I don't know what is. Dr. Tiller was more than just an abortion provider; among other things, he gave care free of charge to those who couldn't afford it, something none of these so-called pro-life people would do. In any case, they should be renamed anti-choice.
Posted by: Colette | 03 June 2009 at 05:54
i read an excellent article about this in my danish newspaper this morning...they suggest that the good that will come of it is that those anti-abortion fanatics (how they can defend taking the life of an educated man who is contributing to society over a fetus that's not yet anything...but i digress) will now be labeled the terrorists they undoubtedly are--which is also what you're saying. but it's good to read it in the major newspaper of a country as well, even if it is a small country. small steps. it's a shame this had to happen for that fact to begin to be recognized.
Posted by: julochka | 02 June 2009 at 19:11
it is *unbelievabley* tragic when somehting like this happens
it is difficult for me to imagine such hatred and anger- enough to murder on behalf of a cause
the stats in potok's editorial are also sad and tragic
Posted by: elsa | 02 June 2009 at 12:51
This is so sad. I cannot comprehend how anyone can justify murder.
Posted by: Carla | 02 June 2009 at 08:03
Tragic ... and even more tragic when I read that he and his family had endured years of harassment over his work. Words fail me.
Posted by: Di | 01 June 2009 at 23:27
It does make me angry..I was raised a Catholic and do not believe that we have to solve any of our differences this way..thank god for dr.s who are willing to help women make their choice..
Posted by: bettyann | 01 June 2009 at 18:59
It is becoming more and more difficult to believe in the basic goodness
of humanity: something is VERY wrong and VERY warped.
Jjjj
extraordinary photo , Tara
Posted by: judith | 01 June 2009 at 18:06
I have read about this, and it makes no sense to me. What has this solved? Not a thing! Ignorance and hate. This is never, the way.
xo
Posted by: Christina | 01 June 2009 at 15:52
And despite what the extremists say or think, their actions have nothing to with God at all. They use God as an excuse to act in hate.
Posted by: Jane Rosemont | 01 June 2009 at 15:10
I read about this and am sickened. I wrote an editorial to my local newspaper years ago regarding pro-choice Catholics and received phone calls at home threatening my daughter. These people are insane....
Posted by: MiddleAgedWomanBlogging | 01 June 2009 at 07:57
I am sickened by this. It's vigilante justice. It doesn't solve anything.
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 01 June 2009 at 05:58
This makes me so sad and sick....what is the sense
and as you say, religious extremism exists in every sect of organized religion...all in the name of god
Posted by: Stephanie Hilvitz | 01 June 2009 at 05:13