The two men were driving what is known as the "truth truck" which is plastered on both sides with images of aborted fetuses. They and others were outside this abortionist's home when one of his neighbors came out and put the two drivers under citezens arrest.
According to the pro-life group, police arrested the Truth Truck drivers in Oklahoma City after a group of Christians prayed outside Patel's home; however, the group had not been asked to leave the gated community before the arrests took place. In fact, the pro-life demonstrators report that the police blocked the entrance of the community to prevent the group's exit, and the Truth Truck, with its large image of an aborted baby on each side, seemed to be the focus of certain community members' ire.This story really has negativity on both sides of the fence. On the one hand I believe abortion is wrong and this group was in their rights to stand outside this man's house and peacefully pray for him until asked to leave. On the other hand I don't know if even I would feel comfortable with a truck with those types of images on it were parked outside my place for everyone and their children to see.
"The neighborhood was so incensed by this -- a very affluent neighborhood -- that they had the truck impounded and the two drivers arrested," Newman notes. "We believe that this is an egregious and outlandish constitutional violation," he says, "so we're considering a lawsuit."
Plus, what's this about a lawsuit?? I think there is a time and a place for legal actions to be taken. In my mind, though, I find it to be a little overboard to be threatening to repay evil for evil.
I'll leave you with two additional thoughts taken from these articles:
According to Operation Rescue president Troy Newman, "We conduct neighborhood prayer walks for abortionists because they live such troubled lives and are in desperate need of redemption through Jesus Christ." Abortionist Nareshkumar Patel has had a number of run-ins with the law, including being under investigation in 1992 after partially burned bodies of aborted babies were found in a field he owned.
Also, in 1993, a patient of Patel's accused the abortion doctor of sexual battery and other offenses. And a reprimand for unprofessional conduct appears on his medical license due to his failure to maintain dispensing records for dangerous drugs.
Nowadays, the Operation Rescue spokesman notes, "When you express your views against child killing or even homosexuality, you find yourself at odds with the IRS, the local law enforcement agencies, sometimes even federal law enforcement agencies." Nevertheless, he says his group will continue to conduct these kinds of pro-life events, "even though there is often persecution that accompanies them."Links
Many of Operation Rescue's prayers for abortionists like Patel have been answered, Newman contends. He says the pro-life activist organization has seen dozens of abortionists stop their practice of killing innocent children in the womb, an outcome he insists is "certainly worth a night in jail."
-------------------
Pro-Life Group Considers Suing Over 'Truth Truck' Drivers' Oklahoma Arrest
Two Men Jailed, Truth Truck Impounded in Oklahoma City
2 comments:
Hi Chris
The Truth Truck pictures of aborted babies should be protected speech as long as this practice is legal. In Dr. Patel's case this is what he sees every day. The neighbors' ire was raised because of the photos it says, but on what grounds were they angry? I'd point to it and tell my daughter that's what abortion looks like. It's not like pictures of people having sex.
As for the lawsuit, is that fighting evil with evil? Again, a debatable question. Paul pointed to his Roman citizenship and highlighted the divisions between Pharisees and Saducees, both pleas were successful in his defense. Abraham demanded that Abimelech live up to his word and return the wells his men had seized (Gen 21:25). Demanding justice is different than fighting evil with evil. Shouldn't the local authorities be held accountable to the laws that exist when they act irresponsibly?
That said I would prefer to drive a Truth Truck that had pictures of healthy little babies in various stages of unborn growth similar to the ones that say "tickle, tickle - they can feel at 11 weeks" with a close-up of a foot. Or a picture of an unborn healthy baby with a name underneath.
That's my two cents.
Not a bad two cents either. Honestly, part of me completely agrees with you. I'm torn. I just wrote a full paragraph trying to show my point of view but found that I had no rational basis for my viewpoint. I'll probably have to pray about it because the only reason I can give for my view is a check in my spirit rather than circumstance.
Thanks for making good observations, though, Jim!
Post a Comment