Pro-Life Tiller Response Continues: Shooting Abortion Practitioner Not Pro-Life
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
June 1, 2009
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — Hundreds of pro-life groups large and small have sent press releases, statements and words of support for the family of slain abortion practitioner George Tiller. The comments have a unified theme in that they all express strong and uncompromising language condemning the shooing and saying it is not pro-life.
"We condemn this lawless act of violence. The foundational right to life that our work is dedicated to extends to everyone. Whoever is responsible for this reprehensible violence must be brought to justice under the law," said Americans United for Life president Charmaine Yoest.
Thomas Glessner, a pro-life attorney who heads NIFLA, a group that provides legal services to hundreds of pregnancy centers, said violence is never a solution.
"The pro-life movement stands against violence and killing and this opposition is in our DNA," he said. "Those who resort to violence against others act cowardly and should be prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law."
Brian Johnston of the California Pro-Life Council, said pro-life advocates across the country "believe in working through the law to change the law. We are committed to using ballots, not bullets to affect positive change."
Gary Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, called the shooting the "cowardly act of one misguided individual."
"Tiller’s death at the hands of a lawless vigilante must be unequivocally condemned," he said.
"Day and night millions of peaceful pro- lifers sacrificially serve women and their unborn babies. We will not tolerate any attempt to exploit this terrible event in order to further restrict pro-life activities or silence pro-life speech or reverse the gains pro-lifers have achieved in the law.," he said.
Professor Robert George of Princeton University, a prominent pro-life thinker, called the shooting "gravely wicked."
"We are a nation of laws. Lawless violence breeds only more lawless violence. Rightly or wrongly, George Tiller was acquitted by a jury of his peers," he explained.
"By word and deed, let us teach that violence against abortionists is not the answer to the violence of abortion. Every human life is precious. George Tiller’s life was precious. We do not teach the wrongness of taking human life by wrongfully taking a human life," he added.
Some of the other statements LifeNews.com has received follow:
Wisconsin Right to Life: "We condemn this terrible act of violence and we extend our prayers to the Tiller family. Wisconsin Right to Life has consistently and publicly condemned such acts of violence and those who carry out those acts. Our organization is dedicated to using only peaceful, legal means in building a culture of life in our nation."
Dubuque County Right to Life: “God is the giver of life, and as such, God shall be the only taker of life. That is the message we promote through our peaceful protests, and by praying for all individuals who are employed in the abortion industry."
Family Policy Council of West Virginia: "Sadly, whether or not his murderer is connected to the pro-life movement – and it appears that he is not – his rogue and violent actions will setback the dialog on abortion in this country. There can be no justification for vigilante justice and we will not excuse it. We continue to stand for policies that embrace the sanctity of human life and will work peacefully to ensure progress toward that goal."
Vermont Right to Life Committee: "We fully concur with statements condemning the killing of Dr. George Tiller and the use of any such acts of violence."
Missourians United for Life: "Today, MUL offers a prayer for George Tiller even as it condemns his action in life as an abortionist. MUL also condemns the murder of Tiller as an inappropriate and deplorable response to the terrible injustice of abortion. His acts are deplorable and should have been stopped but not by murder."
Life Priority Network: "The shooting of abortionist George Tiller today is misguided, wrong, and has added one more murder to the 4000 that occur daily by abortion."
Students for Life of America: "SFLA is a peaceful organization, and we don’t condone today’s unfortunate events. We will keep Mr. Tiller’s family in our thoughts and prayers.
David Bereit, National Director of 40 Days for Life: "As a nationwide organization dedicated to peaceful and prayerful solutions to the crisis of abortion, 40 Days for Life is shocked and dismayed by the shooting death of Kansas abortion provider George Tiller. Such violence against a fellow human being is never justified, and 40 Days for Life condemns this senseless act. We encourage people of faith to join in prayer for all those affected by this unconscionable action."
Rev. Robert Fleischmann, national director of Christian Life Resources: "How shameful it is that Dr. Tiller’s life was ended in the very place where he could hear the words that could have changed his heart. Taking the life of Dr. Tiller is as forbidden in Scripture as taking the lives of the unborn children he aborted. Taking the life of a man who needed to hear God’s life-changing Word in God’s own house is blasphemous, cheapens both human life and is an affront to the Author of life."
Tony Perkins, President of Family Research Council: "As Christians we pray and look toward the end of all violence and for the saving of souls, not the taking of human life. George Tiller was a man who we publicly sought to stop through legal and peaceful means. We strongly condemn the actions taken today by this vigilante killer and we pray for the Tiller family and for the nation that we might once again be a nation that values all human, both born and unborn."
Burch, President of CatholicVote.org: "We call upon all people of good will to pray this week for the soul of Mr. Tiller and to pray that our society will abandon every form of hatred and violence. This senseless act of violence represents the utter antithesis of a people of life. The tens of millions of Americans who peacefully pray and work every day for the protection of all human life are rightfully grieved by this news."
Massachusetts Citizens for Life: "We are pro-life. Our mission is to protect all human life. We are also pro-rule-of-law. We expect to have things resolved legally. Murder is never justified. Every life must be protected, without regard to age or views or actions."
Nevada Life: "We adamantly oppose the use of violence to end abortion and those who use such violence. We hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice."
Stand True president Bryan Kemper: ""We cannot kill people in the name of pro- life. Answering the violence of abortion with more violence will not serve the babies or help the pro-life movement in any way."
SaveAmerica.com President Randy Thomasson: "Abortion and murder are both unacceptable. Pro-life Americans are peacefully representing unborn babies through sidewalk counseling, public education, and legislative efforts. Murder is against pro-life values."
Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser: "The heart of the pro-life movement is one founded in love. Without this driving powerful center no justice can possibly be achieved. Authentic progress in women’s rights has always encompassed the protection of human rights of every person across the board. The rights of one human being can never be honored by diminishing or ignoring the rights of another."
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