Murdering for Religious Convictions
A friend of mine once said to me, “You Christians are the ones who bomb abortion clinics and kill homosexuals in the name of religion. Do not talk to me about morals.”
Such statements are extreme stereotyping. To say one “Christian’s” actions reflect the values of all Christians is misleading. Jews, Christians, Muslims and pagans have all killed in “the name of religion.” Such killing does not always reflect upon the entire group.
Even so, these thoughts reflect a mindset that deserves an answer especially considering recent headlines.
This past Sunday, May 31st, an abortion doctor was shot and killed while ushering at a Lutheran church in Wichita, Kansas. As news stories multiply, the jailed suspect claims to have acted out of religious zeal. The abortion doctor also claimed to be a person of faith. Yet, which one was right?
The answer of God’s Word: neither!
Murder is a sin (Matthew 15:19). Jesus was considered a “child” while still in His mother’s womb (Matthew 1:18). Therefore, to practice abortion is infanticide. It does not matter whether or not the doctor attended worship or not. It does not matter whether his reasons for killing the child in late term abortions seemed sufficient to him. God expects man to respect life, born or unborn. Proverbs 6 tells us “God hates” the shedding of “innocent blood” (6:16-18). Murder condemns (Gal. 5:19-21).
However, God does not expect man to take vengeance into his own hands. It is God’s job to avenge evil (Romans 12:19-21). Therefore, the man who shot and killed the abortion doctor is just as much a murderer as the doctor himself.
Both these men had their reasons for taking lives. Yet, murder is sin no matter our justifications and intentions.
The good news: murderers can be forgiven. God’s grace is offered to the abortion doctor who turns from his sin as it is to the one who foolishly kills in the name of religion. If God could forgive the Jews who murdered His Son, He can forgive you too (Acts 2:23,38). Turn from your sin and obey the Lord!
June 2009