THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 7, 1995 TAG: 9501070023
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
As someone who values the sanctity of all human life, I long for a time when abortions are no more. It's sad that so many people take for granted the choice to end a human life before it even has the chance to draw it's first breath, and choose this way out for an unwanted or inconvenient pregnancy.
But, what about pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, or teenage pregnancy? What about preventing pregnancy from happening in the first place? There are no easy answers, but murdering doctors who perform abortions, clinic employees and innocent bystanders is not the solution.
I deplored the actions of Paul Hill. I deplore the alleged crimes of John Salvi and believe killers of abortion-clinic personnel are doing more harm than good to any movement seeking to bring an end to abortion.
The people who take the law into their own hands are not heroes - they are cold-blooded murderers and are no better than the abortionists they condemn.
Activists like Donald Spitz and David Crane do not speak for the majority of us who consider ourselves to be pro-life. They, and people like them, who call these murders justifiable homicide while quoting from the Bible are in error. Would Jesus pump bullets into abortion doctors and clinic receptionists? I don't think so.
EDWARD M. CORYELL
Virginia Beach, Jan. 4, 1995
The tragedy in Boston once again brings home the unlawful use of physical force that is engulfing the United States - indeed, the world.
What struck me as I listened to an account of the horror on CNN was the talk of the violence committed against the people working in the abortion clinic.
Yes, the adults were maliciously murdered, and, yes, the babies in their mother's wombs are also being wickedly murdered. If there is a doubt in people's minds about what happens during an abortion or what the results of an abortion look like, they need only to obtain copies of the videos ``The Silent Scream'' and ``Hard Truth.''
Let us respect precious life in the womb where it begins. And then, perhaps, we can begin to look at one another with clean hearts.
MARTA LASER
Virginia Beach, Dec. 30, 1994
I am a Christian; I am pro-life. I have peacefully protested abortions in three states. I will continue to do so.
But the majority of those who are pro-life, both here in Virginia and across the nation, while believing in peaceful protest, in no way condone the use of violence.
As Christians our example is Jesus Christ. Jesus condemned the use of force when Peter cut off a man's ear in defense of Jesus. Luke 22:47-53 records the event and Jesus' own words, ``Stop! No more of this.'' Jesus then healed the man's ear, restoring what Peter in his political zeal had accomplished.
Zealots should heed the words of Jesus and return the sword to the sheath.
Leaders of the pro-life movement must condemn acts of violence. They must recall the words of St. Paul in Ephesians: ``Our battle is not against flesh and blood.''
Vengeance is not ours, but God's.
MICHAEL MEARS
Virginia Beach, Dec. 30, 1994
David Hill murders a doctor and his bodyguard, and John Salvi allegedly murders two others while allegedly injuring and terrifying more. These crimes presumably were done in the name of life, cry the pro-lifers; this is OK. John Salvi's neighbor says: ``There's nothing wrong with him whatsoever, other than he killed a couple people.'' David Spitz publicly thanks Salvi and calls him their hero.
If the pro-life message is that life is to be valued and abortion is the killing of a human being, then to kill any human has to be wrong.
LIN MACE
Virginia Beach, Jan. 2, 1995 by CNB