Tolerance is Always Superior to Intolerance

Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed my resolution condemning the murder of Dr. George Tiller who was shot to death in his church in Wichita, Kansas on May 31, 2009 and offered sincere condolences to his family.

This tragic event, during which one man with a history of animosity towards women's right to choose ended the life of another man who dedicated his life to helping others, serves as a stark reminder of the raw emotions surrounding the right to reproductive freedom.

While violence is always deplorable, it seems to me that this event was particularly wretched because it took place in a house of worship, a refuge for those who seek serenity in times of turmoil and safety in times of hostility.

To promote hateful beliefs is objectionable and to commit violence is abhorrent and wrong, but to do so in a house of worship, a symbol of peace, marks an egregious violation of our social code and breaks the limit of what we, as a society, will endure.

As we grieve for Dr. Tiller, we must come together to clearly and unequivocally denounce violence against any individual because of his or her ideology, faith or perspective. We must affirm the sanctity of places of worship, and remind ourselves of the merits of tolerance. Today, this legislative body passed my resolution and loudly issued this message.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Tiller's family, friends, colleagues, and congregation.

Comments

[slarabee]

Thanks you for your words. It is sad to me that the clinic has closed. Surely many of the intolerant now feel that murder is an effective tool to forward their goals. Very sad for our nation in so many ways.

[jill2468]

I feel very bad that the Dr was murdered. But to be very sad that a clinic that performed partial birth (think of those words and what they mean) abortion is closed is just wrong. Be very sad that another life was taken, but be very happy for the ones that will be saved. I don't think the Congress should have spent time passing a resolution condmning this tradagy, as they happen all the time, all over the country. The two soldiers who were killed at the recruiting center should get as much, if not more press. Sadly, there is not much said about this at all, and surely not on here.

[LeftRight]

That clinic did not perform partial birth abortions because there is no such thing!! They DID perform late term abortions, or abortions occurring in the third trimester due to valid concerns about the health of the mother or because the fetus would never be viable.

[Zanti]

I'm not sure there's an epidemic of recruiting-center killings being encouraged by any part of the left wing. I AM sure, however, that there's an epidemic of abortion center harassment, violence, terrorism, and (too often) murder being encouraged by a portion of the right wing.

Maybe that's why more is being said about this event. And I guess that playing the left-doesn­'t-care-ab­out-soldie­rs game is the best your side can manage at the moment.

[Zanti]

Thank you.

[jhamm1]

"To promote hateful beliefs is objectionable and to commit violence is abhorrent and wrong, but to do so in a house of worship, a symbol of peace, marks an egregious violation of our social code and breaks the limit of what we, as a society, will endure."

I don't see any irony in that whatsoever, considering that many lessons in intolerance, hate, and violence which people have instigated throughout history have in fact been BORN in "houses of worship".

[Zanti]

Whoa. 500 faith-bashing points. I think you took the prize there.