Comments on: Tiller murder suspect taken into custody

By: Debbie Thurman

Debbie Thurman — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:57:59 +0000

The Tiller story is disturbing on several levels. Not only was he one of the very few doctors to perform late-term abortions, but he also actively promoted his grisly business around the country. And I cannot imagine how any church could welcome him as a longtime active member. A sinner in search of redemption and compassion, yes. An usher, greeting a pregnant woman in the name of the Lord one day, and then possibly murdering her child on another? No.

One blogger has referred to Tiller as “the Sweeney Todd” of his community. He apparently thought himself above God’s law and sought acceptance in his community through his church ruse. That’s about as despicable as his crimes were.

Such a vigilante act only serves as justification for pointing fingers at “fundamentalists” — as if preserving life were not a fundamental responsibility for us all — and calling them haters. I do feel sorry for Tiller’s family, but I felt that long ago. I feel the deepest sorrow for the many babies who were tortured in the womb at his hands and their mothers who will always grieve for them.

By: Byron

Byron — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:34:26 +0000

Fair enough; I’ll accept my definition as faulty, then. Though I get your point, I’m not sure it’s out of bounds to refer to mass murderers, say, as “monsters”, though you’re right, fringe nutjobs can find such words to perhaps be excuses to commit atrocities. How about “extremely evil people” such as Tiller and his murderer? Probably better, I guess, but it lacks the ‘zing’…

By: Timothy Kincaid

Timothy Kincaid — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:31:15 +0000

Byron,

Demonizing isn’t the same as condemning some action. Demonizing is the method by which one seeks to diminish and objectify another and make them seem less human and less worthy of empathy.

When the object of your condempt is a “monster” rather than a person, it justifies treating them sub-human.

To those on the edge, it justifies murdering them.

By: Byron

Byron — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:53:47 +0000

OK, so “condemn(ing) the actions of” someone “in the strongest possible terms” (my definition of “demonize”) is an incitement to murder? Hmmm…so you’re against ever strongly condemning anyone’s actions, I take it, Timothy? Is it reasonable for me to assume that?

By: Timothy Kincaid

Timothy Kincaid — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:50:54 +0000

I think it is reasonable to assume that the “demonization” of one of these “monsters” is precisely why the other one shot him. I doubt this was random.