If it is why do we not treat it as such?
Our society suffers from what I have tagged, the “Me Syndrome”. What’s in it for me? What do I get out of it? How does this affect me? It’s all about “me” and no one else. Even parenting suffers from this affliction. You see it in almost every aspect of modern life today, which is why I believe America is falling into shambles. Homosexuals say they were born that way thinking this somehow justifies their life choices of sin. Parents kill their living children because its inconvenient to have them any longer. Pregnancy and motherhood suffer as well. I have heard women actually, in defense of abortion, ask why they should destroy their bodies just to have a child ignoring their own actions caused their condition. Lack of responsibility. The world is a sick and evil place. Since most of society suffers from the Me Syndrome, they see no problem with killing unborn children. They have convinced themselves it is not only ok, but the child is not real. Lately, some have even been so bold as to proclaim a born child is not a viable personality and can be killed up to two years old. Evil controls the country and it is only getting stronger. Those of us who see it for what it really is are the minority. Abortion has absolutely become birth control.
If a woman and her "doctor" actually commit murder, with the state's permission if not actual blessing, why do we not take the law into our own hands?
Because this creates Anarchy, which easily spirals out of control. At least now we still maintain some semblance of authority.
Moreover, if a person shoots and kills an abortionist in order to literally save the lives of children, we should reach out to him with some degree of empathy.
But then, we become the criminal and the scourge of society and culture. Usually those who conduct this type of action are unstable anyway and dangerous to anyone. Abortion is only a means for them to focus their aggression. Until we are able to change laws, it is a losing battle to engage in this type of warfare. At best, the person or persons will be called extremists or religious zealots.
I have often pondered in my head the right form and level of civil disobedience.
One of the things I believe the Roman Catholic Church as gotten right is this. Their response to abortion is respectable. A very dear friend of mine who is Catholic is very involved in prayer vigils at abortion clinics and state buildings, etc. Peaceful, but they let their voices be heard in the silence of prayer. No violence, no loudness, only peaceful non-resistance to show there is a better way. My wife and I once convinced a young woman to not abort and instead give the child over for adoption simply by talking to her for a few hours. If you feel very strongly and want to participate, I encourage to you ask your Catholic friends if you can join.
If the abortion industry is in fact the holocaust that it's been called, is it not justified to kill the murderer, not so much as means of punishment, but rather as a form of prevention?
I see your reasoning, but again, this results in chaos, which does no good for anyone. Until the state has its mind changed, all efforts would be wasted.
Examples include injuring an abortionists hands or eyes so that he or she has to give their practice. I have also pondered forms of non-violent methods such as vandalizing machinery.
What you must understand is if we all went around beating the dog snot out of people we disagreed with, we would have no time left for anything else and everyone would be engaged in fighting and hurting one another. Violence is rarely the right response and only as a last resort when all lesser means have failed. Vandalizing machinery still gets people hurt. If your goal is to end abortion, you must win the hearts of others and convince their minds it is wrong. Being a vigilante would not accomplish this goal. They would only think you were a nutjob and dismiss anything you had to say.
All the while I have abstained from any of these actions. I'd like to give a more noble reason, but the truth is I am too cowardly and selfish to face prison.
Sounds like a good reason to me.
Or is it possible that many pro-Life advocates in fact see a fetus as a 'potential' person, rather than an actual person?
This is the multi-billion dollar question. When does life actually begin? Ask 10 people and you will get 10 different answers. Until we know for certain, I say be cautious and start at conception, to make sure we do not kill anyone.
Since we are talking about this, I was convinced by the abovementioned Catholic friend the abortion pill is also wrong. Took some time, but he won me over. I mention this because this is how you will change a person’s mind.