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Clinic Violence

WHEREAS, faithful and conscientious persons hold widely different convictions concerning abortion; and

WHEREAS, some opponents of abortion have publicly postulated a "justifiable homicide" rationale for killing abortion providers; and

WHEREAS, murder is a sin; and

WHEREAS, violence is a sin; and

WHEREAS, escalation of attacks on abortion clinics resulting in the murder of doctors, clinic officers, workers, and visitors constitutes domestic terrorism; and

WHEREAS, escalation of rhetoric on all sides continues to push people apart and make useful dialogue around common-ground issues difficult; and

WHEREAS, this increase in violence, both in attitude and acts of physical violence, calls all of us to repentance;

Therefore, be it resolved, that The United Methodist Church:
Repent of violence, turn toward attitudes of respect, and seek areas of common ground between those who call themselves pro-life and those who call themselves pro-choice;
Reject and condemn the use of violence against those peacefully assembled to protest abortion;
Reject and condemn the use of violence against providers of legal services related to reproductive health; and
Encourage local churches, annual conferences, and General Conference agencies to speak out whenever such violence occurs.

ADOPTED 1996

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