It seems Scott Roeder shot and killed Dr. George Tiller two Sundays ago on the steps of Reformation Lutheran Church. Murder on the church steps made me think of T.S. Eliot’s novel, Murder in the Cathedral. I’ll tell you why later.

I was not so shocked that Dr. Tiller, whom Scott Roeder had called, “Tiller the Killer,” was shot. The bombing of abortion clinics has hit the front page before. Dr. Tiller’s own office had been bombed before and he was shot several times in 1993. What surprised me is that it was done at the church.

However, after thinking about it for a while and learning the site was chosen for shock value and a statement regarding Mr. Roeder’s assertion that he was acting on his Christian belief, I was saddened more than shocked. Several in the anti-abortion movement have hailed him as a sort of martyr and hero. Others assert that what he did was not a crime from a Biblical viewpoint, sort of the eye for an eye argument.

Now back to Eliot. T.S Eliot wrote, “This then is the ultimate treason, to do the right thing for the wrong reason.” I wonder if the opposite would be twice as treasonous, to do the wrong thing for the right reason. This is not so suggest that Mr. Roeder acted out of reasoned thought. However, I do conclude that he acted out of what he thought was right reasoning. Even one who agreed with him suggested that, when he said what he did was not a crime from a Biblical standpoint.

Jihad or holy war has been around since one person wanted or was promised what another possessed. Or perhaps someone was a threat to a lifestyle or faith stance. Quite honestly, a holy war is an easy sell. It appeals to basic fears of loss of something held dear or a divine right. The acquisition of land from Native Americans was based on an understanding of manifest destiny. Ask the Jews in Germany or the host of others who have been killed because someone thought that were divine purposes. A quick read of history from either a religious or secular standpoint reminds us that we are prone to violence to keep what we have or get what we want. I am concerned when that happens based on a secular stance. I am appalled when that happens from a religious viewpoint. I think God is concerned as well; otherwise why tell us not to do it?

One of the Ten Commandments in the Bible tells us, “not to take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” While for most that has been interpreted as don’t use profanity and particularly not to implore God to damn anyone, it is much more serious and dangerous than that. The prohibition is for us not to say we are doing something for God when in reality we are doing it for some other reason. No holy wars for land acquisition or political security. No Jihad because a lifestyle is offensive. No warming up the nukes because one way of life or form of religion is deemed superior to another.

You see, I think God gets blamed for a lot of things God has chosen to let us work out among ourselves. When the human creature chooses to name drop the Almighty, then we have real trouble. Personal responsibility has gone out the window because, “God told me to do it.” I would not want someone to move away from God because I chose to blame God for my harmful actions.

I do believe God directs persons. I believe God has done so in my life. Personally, that is a bit frightening. As an ambassador, doing the will of the One in charge, I must listen very carefully and always ask myself. “Is this my will or God’s will?” Such causes one to pray, “Thy will be done” with humility and restraint.

I will leave the judging of Dr. Tiller and Mr. Roeder up to one more wise than I am. However, it seems a reasonable faith stance to pray for discernment, humility and a listening heart when asking God for direction and upon hearing, respond in the same manner. Should one choose to presume to act on God’s mind, heart and word, it seems we must do so with a sense of awe and humility. Saying one is acing for God while fulfilling a personal agenda...that is the ultimate treason.

Rob Rollins lives in Wadesboro.