George Tiller was a mass-murderer. We grieve for him that he did not have time to properly prepare his soul to face God. I am more concerned that the Obama Administration will use Tiller's killing to intimidate pro-lifers into surrendering our most effective rhetoric and actions. Abortion is still murder. And we still must call abortion by its proper name; murder. Those men and women who slaughter the unborn are murderers according to the Law of God. We must continue to expose them in our communities and peacefully protest them at their offices and homes, and yes, even their churches.
Except murdering a man in his own church isn't exactly a "peaceful protest", is it?
In the wake of the murder of Dr. George Tiller, I'm beginning to wonder if it's not time for a reality check. Since 9.11, we've all been inundated by the term "Radical Islamofascist Terrorism". I'm not going to debate the accuracy of that term, other than to propose that it be adapted to reflect a reality too long ignored in this country. I would propose that it's high time that we as a nation began acknowledging the existence of something more immediate, more present, and quite likely far more dangerous: "Radical Christofascist Terrorism". Yes, I'm talking about domestic, homegrown terrorism that seems to be the default (if unspoken) position of the Christian Far Right. They won't talk openly about it, but you just know that when one of their enemies (like Dr. Tiller) is felled, they're elated.
No, I'm not about to seriously opine that Christianity is a terrorist religion- any more than Islam is a terrorist religion. Religion really isn't the problem here- it's the unbalanced, hate-fueled, intolerant wingnuts who see it their perfect right to kill for their beliefs. Islam has no claim to this sort of religious bastardization. Far too many Christians in this country are guilty of the exact same behavior. They simply refuse to acknowledge this reality...'cuz when God's on your side, it's all good, eh? We may call it murder; they call it "doing the Lord's work."
Radical Christofascist Terrorism is not a new phenomenon, nor is the death of George Tiller the first example of this threat. One need look no farther than another hero of the Christian Right's "pro-life" lobby, Paul Hill. Or how about Olympic Park (and abortion clinic) bomber Eric Rudolph? There's quite a list I could run down, but I imagine you see my point. Radical Christofascist Terrorism is no different in practice or theory than Radical Islamofascist Terrorism. It's not nearly as flashy, showy, or well-funded, but it can be every bit as deadly and disruptive in pursuit of a narrow-minded hate-fueled agenda. That this agenda really has far less to do with the teachings of Jesus Christ than political domination and control is the 800-lb. gorilla in the room when it comes to this discussion.
I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
- Mohandas K. Gandhi
I grew up in the Lutheran Church. My parents used to make me go to church, and I stuck with it just long enough to understand that your average Christian church is home to more hypocrisy per capita than just about anywhere else on the face of the planet. Most "Christians" wouldn't recognize Jesus Christ if He slapped them on the ass and handed them his business card. Most of those who comprise the Christian Right understand about as much of the teaching of Jesus Christ as I do about nuclear fusion. Really, this has nothing to do with Christianity, anyway. In reality, it's all about an ignorant, hateful cabal that would quite happily force all of us to live by their narrow rules- or pay the price if we refuse.
So how do these folks differ from radical Islamofascist thugs like al-Qaeda? OK, so they don't wear long beards and hang out in the mountains of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Other than that, I can't honestly see a lot of difference. Both groups would quite happily force those who don't believe as they do to live under their thumbs. Both are astonishingly intolerant. Both put the "fun" in "fundamentalism". Worst of all, neither care a whit for diversity of opinion or creativity of spirit.
The Mainstream Media won't talk about it, of course, but those of us who care about this country must. Until we meet the specter of Racial Christofascist Terrorism head-on and address it for what it truly is- a threat to our liberty and freedom- good people like Dr. George Tiller will continue to die at the hand of ignorant zealots.
No one has the right to kill in the name of their religious beliefs. That anyone can do this while claiming to believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ is sickening, absolutely sickening. How long must we tolerate this because our politicians don't want to alienate "values voters"? And since when is domestic terrorism a "value"?
WE DESERVE BETTER. Dr. George Tiller certainly did.
