Scott Roeder, who in May gunned down abortion doctor Dr. George Tiller at the doctor’s Wichita church, told the Associated Press that the shooting was justified. He said:
Violence is not wrong in all situations, so if it takes that – then if it is done righteously – then, if it’s done, it is OK.
He summed up his motivation:
…he was in the business, and had been for many years, of taking the lives of unborn children. So if the lives of born children are worthy of protection, why would not the lives of unborn children be worthy of protection? That is really what it comes down to.
Some of Roeder’s family members say he is mentally ill, but Roeder says any diagnosis he may have had earlier was brought on by drug use, and he hasn’t used drugs in years.
Roeder faces a preliminary hearing Tuesday. Given the circumstances, he won’t be eligible for the death penalty in Kansas. Meanwhile, Operation Rescue insists Roeder is not a part of their group, which angers Roeder.
We are starting this conversation in another thread (about war). Let’s move the conversation here. Is there such a thing as justifiable violence? And if so, under what circumstances would it be justified?
“Is there such a thing as justifiable violence?”
Yes.
When, do you think?
Today is the one year anniversary of the Knoxville Tennessee Valley UU murders. I think its interesting that the man that commited the murders as an avowed hate crime and terrorist act hasn’t been charged that way. But even more extraodinary do I find TVUU’s response to the violence (in which two people were killed and others permanently disabled. )
I think Rev. Buice’s words are worth reading and considering in situations like Dr. Tiller’s murder.
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2009/07/standing_on_the_side_of_love.html
Wow. Thanks, Carol. I read that with tears in my eyes. I’m going to put this in a separate blog entry (credit to you) so more people will see it.