"In reaction to the tragic murder of Dr. George Tiller, religious leaders and groups who hold different views on the legality of abortion, but a shared commitment to working towards common ground solutions to reduce abortions by addressing its root causes issued the following statement this morning:

"We were shocked and saddened to hear that Dr. George Tiller was murdered at his church yesterday morning. Such violence is an affront to the teachings of all faith traditions and an attack on civil society. Houses of worship have served as sanctuaries providing a safe harbor even in times of widespread violence for millennia -- that this act took place in Dr. Tiller's church where he was serving as an usher on Sunday morning only underscores its abhorrence. We condemn it, and we pray for Dr. Tiller's family, church and community.

"As people of faith working to create civility and common ground on abortion, this reprehensible attack reminds us of our moral obligation to respect the humanity of those on both sides of this issue. Wherever we stand, this act offends us all."

The statement was signed by Dr. Joel Hunter, Senior Pastor, Northland A Church Distributed; Rabbi David Saperstein, Director, Religious Actions Center for Reform Judaism; Dr. David P. Gushee, Distinguished Professor of Christian Ethics, Mercer University; Melissa Rogers, Director, Center for Religion and Public Affairs, Wake Forest University Divinity School; Ron Sider, President, Evangelicals for Social Action; Rev. Susan Thistlethwaite, Former President, Chicago Theological Seminary; Chris Korzen, Executive Director, Catholics United; Emilie M. Townes, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Yale Divinity School; Steve Schneck, Director, Life Cycle Institute, The Catholic University of America; Rev. Derrick Harkins, Senior Pastor, Nineteenth Street Baptist Church; Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good; Faith in Public Life; and Sojourners.

In her note, Katie Paris asked if I had any questions. This was my (immediate, angry and not all that articulate) response:  

"In my mind, the statement does not go far enough. Why haven't these highly respected religious leaders that are condemning the murder of Dr. George Tiller at the same time, also condemn the hate talk that is spewed daily against abortion providers by a number of so-called Christian groups?

"What good is merely a condemnation of the murder if it doesn't try to get to one of the reasons that ordinary people commit such acts -- the hate speech (calling doctors baby killers or even calling the president a baby killer) that drives people to it. Keep in mind that even James Dobson and Tony Perkins have condemned the murder. What good is a condemnation of Tiller's murder if the hate speech that often inspires -- perhaps even drives -- one to commit such murders is not also condemned?

"Your thoughts?"

Thus far ... no response.