By Scott Tibbs, September 16, 2009
Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not He who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not He who guards your life know it? Will He not repay each person according to what he has done? -- Proverbs 24:11-12
On the 8th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, another cowardly act of terrorism took place in Michigan when someone "offended" by the sign held by a peaceful pro-life activist James Pouillon shot and murdered him. This isn't the first time Pouillon had been targeted by violent abortion rights supporters. The Associated Press reports he "had objects thrown at him" (which happened to me a few years ago) and "was almost run down by a motorist." It appears the murder was the most final, most extreme of the violent efforts to censor Pouillon.
When an anti-abortion terrorist murdered notorious abortionist George Tiller three and a half months ago, I vigorously denounced the act of terrorism (See here, here and here) and called for the shooter to be put to death if convicted after a fair trial by a jury of his peers. Harlan James Drake should also be swiftly put to death if convicted after a fair trial. President Barack Obama, to his credit, called the shooting "deplorable" and said violence is never the answer. The president and CEO of Planned Parenthood East Central Michigan also said "Planned Parenthood would never condone any sort of violence against anyone, regardless of their views."
Back in 2003, I wrote an editorial about pro-abortion violence, something that receives little attention in the mainstream media. It isn't unusual for tempers to flare against people protesting abortion, though most people restrict their response to hurling obscenities and making obscene gestures. That said, as we become an increasingly pagan country, we should not be surprised if more people are attacked, and even murdered, for standing against the slaughter of the unborn. After all, Jesus Christ said "The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:20) The question for Christians is this: are we willing to suffer for our faith?
