Princeton's wordnet online dictionary defines the word "terrorism" as follows:

Noun

• S: (n) terrorism, act of terrorism, terrorist act (the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear)

which is exactly why the word "terrorism" is the first thing came to mind yesterday when I read this story about the assasination of a well known abortion doctor George Tiller. This is extremism being used by a religious group with an ideological goal as its endgame. You would of course to be hard pressed to find any mainstream media outlet likening this murder to Islamic terrorism though, or to terrorism at all for that matter.

The argument behind the two wars that the United States is currently embroiled in involves an ideological viewpoint. The viewpoint that we are a good Christian nation and that Christianity is the correct way to live. Conversely it holds that Islam is bad and that in order to keep us safe we must stop the spread of extremism. In the wake of this ideology being pushed into the mainstream came a gaggle of Christian commentators who would speak out against the violence of Islamic Extremism and it's fascist means of scaring people into obeying its beliefs. People like James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and other self professed Christian moguls have spent much of their time decrying this type of extremism. My guess though is that you won't see any of them speak out against this act of terrorism.

They will attempt to justify their silence by stating that George Tiller was a child murderer. Conveniently leaving out the fact that the mother's of the children aborted by Tiller gave consent for the process. It's an interesting paradox when you think about it. People calling themselves "pro life" condoning acts of terrorism that support their own agendas.

I've had this argument several times with people I know who label themselves "pro-life" it's a mindset engrained in the Christian lifestyle. These same people however almost ALWAYS support the death penalty as a means of criminal punishment. Even though there is plenty of proof that several innocent people have been murdered as a result of this archaic practice. The abortion and death of any blossoming life is a tragedy, but an even bigger tragedy would be to allow an unwanted child to be born into a life of neglect only to eventually become a criminal and then by "pro-life" standards given the death penalty.

Pro-lifer's need to choose a side. If you are truly pro-life then you respect and hold all life dear, even that of convicted criminals. Additionally if you're someone who has a problem with Islamic terrorism you should also have a problem with Christian terrorism. Not just the brand of extremism that doesn't suit your own personal ideology. Christian terrorists such as the man who murdered George Tiller are in league with Al Qaeda, and if you don't agree you are a hypocrite.