When George Tiller was murdered, it seemed immediately clear why. He was one of the last doctors in America to do partial birth abortions. I wholeheartedly condemned that and said I’d pray for his family and friends.
I won’t do less for James Pouillon, who, it does appear, was murdered by a crazy person who didn’t like his pro-life signs. I personally felt from the get-go there was enough there to see this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill, America-has-a-high-murder-rate crime. A murder in broad daylight in front of a school is still news enough, yes, even in Michael Moore’s America, which I’m not convinced yet exists…but that’s another post for another day.
I started listening recently to an engaging lecture to medical students from a now pro-life doctor who used to refer for abortions (I’ll post about it when I’m finished listening) and his point was that we can indeed advance the dialogue on this polarizing issue. He was very respectful and kind to all the pro-choice students. Also fairly understated in a manner I found compelling. I listened to him and felt encouraged.
Then things like this happen and I just feel the whole cause is set back a long, long way.
by 
Andrea, check out the results that are coming with 40 Days for Life.
http://www.40daysforlife.com
Video at the bottom of the home page on the spring overview
1561 babies known to have been saved, and that means 1561 women who decided not to abort. Nothing has had this kind of result in just two years of peaceful prayerful campaigns. The movement is not set back, it is working in a different way. With 212 cities set to hold concurrent vigils beginning Sept 23, I think that should be highlighted.
Even for unbelievers, the results cannot be overlooked.
A minor technicality: partial birth abortions were outlawed nationally in 2007 when the Supreme Court ruled on Carhart vs. Gonzales. Tiller was a lightening rod not specifically because of the way he performed abortions but because he was one of the few doctors in the US to perform them during the third-trimester.
Julie, we have a 40 Days vigil coming up in our area soon as well. I haven’t been involved with it in the past but I plan to attend this year.
Wonderful Sarah, I am just amazed at the results that 40 Days is getting. Here in Halifax, we stand outside a very large hospital so we don’t see or speak with any women entering for abortions. They would be going in another door and be arriving in cars quickly, getting parking tickets and would not talk to us anyway.
So our vigil is mainly a witness to the public about abortion and that we are praying for its end.
What I have witnessed is the increasing number of women coming forward who have had abortions. Since our 40 Days vigil last fall, I have personally learned of 7 women (all church attendees) who have had abortions and are seeking healing.
This is a good thing to happen. While we may not know of babies saved, having women come out into the open and seek recovery from their abortions will restore them to good lives and they will be the great pro-life testimonies of the future.
Who can argue with a pro life woman who had an abortion?
“Who can argue with a pro life woman who had an abortion?”
I’m willing to give it a try :>