The Kansas Shooting

I've been so disturbed by the initial reports of the shooting of yet another abortion provider that I stayed away from reading anything about it.

Until this morning.

And I don't have a whole lot to say, except to comment on some of the facts and details that are now being reported.

Dr. George Tiller, a doctor who would perform abortions in the later stages of pregnancy, was at Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas, as an usher. And Scott P. Roeder, an anti-government, anti-abortion protestor, shot and killed him... and then drove away in his 1993 Ford Taurus. According to the report in the Kansas City Star, Roeder's car sports a Red Rose sticker (common to the anti-abortion movement) and a christian fish symbol with the word "Jesus".

Somehow, I don't think shooting Tiller in a place of worship is quite in keeping with what Jesus would do!

Comments I've read on some articles indicate that those who are in the extemeist camp on the anti-abortion side are pleased as punch to see this story in the news. And they are invoking God's name in praise. And another round of noise from the liars and thieves of God's message of inclusive love goes out over the airwaves, and the internet, and puts forth a face of christianity that many of us Christians don't recognize... and many others see as 'evidence' that 'all christians are crazy, gun-toting, mad dog killers!'

Is it any wonder that every time the Virgin Mary has appeared to some young girl in a far away village, the Virgin is crying?!

Roeder's actions are Cain-like, not Christ-like. And he must be punished for placing himself above the God he claims to love. I can only hope that he will actually get to know that love for real... and realize what he's done.

And prayers ascending for Dr. Tiller's family, friends, colleagues and Lutheran church members. The fire of the Holy Spirit should never be associated with a hail of bullets!