Anti-Abortion Leaders Debate Morality of Killing Doctors at Chicago Conference

Anti-abortion leaders converged on Chicago for a weekend conference, where a heated debate erupted over the question of whether killing doctors who perform abortions is morally justifiable. The issue has been a contentious one since the fatal shooting last year of Dr. David Gunn outside a Pensacola clinic. Paul Hill, a former minister charged with shooting a doctor and two others at a Pensacola clinic, attended the conference and defended his position that killing doctors who perform abortions is justifiable homicide, citing the Bible. While some attendees condemned Hill's views as "heresy" and "sin," others expressed support for his position, with some even suggesting that the balance of violence between pro-life and pro-choice groups might be shifting.

Key Takeaways:

• The debate over the morality of killing doctors who perform abortions has been a divisive issue within the anti-abortion movement since the fatal shooting of Dr. David Gunn outside a Pensacola clinic.
• Paul Hill, a former minister charged with shooting a doctor and two others at a Pensacola clinic, defended his position that killing doctors who perform abortions is justifiable homicide, citing the Bible.
• While some anti-abortion leaders condemned Hill's views as "heresy" and "sin," others expressed support for his position, with some even suggesting that the balance of violence between pro-life and pro-choice groups might be shifting.
• The Chicago conference highlighted the growing acceptance of extremist views within some segments of the anti-abortion movement.
• Operation Rescue National and the Pro-Life Action League issued statements condemning the shootings and distancing themselves from Hill's views.
• The National Right to Life Committee has consistently condemned unlawful actions and stressed their commitment to opposing abortion through the political process.

Statistics:

• 30 million: The estimated number of unborn babies killed through abortions since Roe v. Wade.
• 2: The number of doctors killed in shootings with 30 million unborn babies killed.
• 1973: The year the Roe v. Wade decision was made.
• 1993: The year Dr. David Gunn was shot and killed outside a Pensacola clinic.
• 1994: The year Michael Griffin, 32, was convicted of shooting Dr. David Gunn.

Sources:

• "Anti-abortion leader's views spark debate," _The New York Times_, [no date].
• "Church leaders condemn shooting at abortion clinic," _Boston Globe_, [no date].
• National Right to Life Committee, [no date].