I’ll address everything you’ve posited.
I’m glad you read the other posts. Now, based on that, what did I state is my stance on abortion? Am I your foe or a fellow pro-life. Additionally, did I not make certain advisements at the end of my post? I did that because I know of the disrespect that some seem compelled to show with those that they disagree. Some are very confrontational and nasty at times. I perfer civility befitting adults. It’s funny but there are those that may have a bit more knowledge of something that miss perfect opportunities to help others. Their egos get in the way.
Jesus did not throw the money changers out of the worship area or even the most sacred area of the temple. Money changers and animal sellers were the norm in the area of temples since the Jews were commanded to make animal sacrifices. Tiller’s murder was in the holiest part of the church.
I am tempted not to answer your questions about murder of innocent babies versus vigilantism because of the tone of your questioning. It is EXTREMELY OFFENSIVE! But I will try to control my offense. Of course, I DO NOT believe in killing Jews, the infirmed, the deformed, and the unborn. Vigilantism is taking the law into your own hands. But then you knew that. I know you were just “bating”. We can’t go around proclaiming that God told us to kill this person or that. As hard as it is, we live in a civilized society and therefore must operate within the laws. We have our vote and activism to change the laws. You will notice that ALL pro-life groups condemned the murder.
Well at least we can agree on the murderer’s fate.
Sorry if you were offended by sincere, honest debate on a discussion group. If you don’t like your ideas being challenged, perhaps you should keep them to yourself.
It is easy to talk about being pro-life, and hold that as a philosophical position.
When it comes to actually stopping evil in the world it often takes more than words or philosophies, and even more than voting and political activism.
There are times to beat your swords into plowshares...and times to beat your plowshares into swords, as history abundantly (and thankfully) illustrates.
God often chooses to solve evil in the world through violent activity, sometimes directly, as in Noah’s day and the Red Sea, and other times through His people as in the possession of Canaan. He has also ordained secular authorities (hopefully with Christian propensities, but often not) as in Romans 13. Early Christians obeyed their authorities as closely as they could and still be obedient to God (which means they often broke the law in order to obey and please God).
I didn’t ask you if you believed in killing various groups of people, I assumed you didn’t. What I did ask was at what point you would personally draw the line and disobey secular authority that was destroying innocent life or permitting its destruction. If you would like historical examples think of Nazi Germany, Communist Russia, Pol Pot’s Cambodia, etc. Should there have been any internal resistence to the genocidal policies of these governments...and would you assist or condemn those who resisted this government sponsored genocide? A current example is Sudan and the routine extermination of Christians in the southern part of the country.
To me, vigilantism, as a principle, is generally wrong. However, as a practical matter, depending on the nature and tone of the law(s) and how it is (they are) enforced, vigilantism can be morally correct, even if legally punishable.
The “law” was added to show sin for what it is (by God). If man’s laws do not reflect the laws of God, they can be, and often are, evil in themselves. Following, or hiding behind, unjust laws will be no excuse for disobeying God when Judgment Day comes.
As a point of correction, I understand Tiller was passing out bulletins and not in the sanctuary of his church, so I cannot make sense of your assertion that “Tiller’s murder was in the holiest part of the church.” I view each individual as either an actual or potential temple of the Holy Spirit, so I disagree with your emphasis there was something especially egregious about Tiller’s killer acting in a church foyer as compared with ANYWHERE else. Perhaps you can clarify your point by elaborating on where Tiller’s killing would have been more acceptable (or less heinous).