The man accused of murdering Dr. George Tiller, an abortion provider, admitted on Monday that he has no regrets for the crime. According to the Associated Press, Scott Roeder, the murderer, said he killed Tiller out of necessity to defend the unborn. This is a complicated issue because both men attended church, considering Tiller was shot in the foyer of a church. It is a classic case in thinking one injustice must be stopped by another injustice.

This crime is all about vigilante justice, and the plea is no different. This is something I simply cannot wrap my mind around. As a Christian, I am very pro-life, and I think abortion is an injustice. But it does not fix the problem to go and kill someone who is part of the problem, especially in the name of defending the children. I do believe life begins at conception, and I do not believe it is anyone’s right except God’s to take life, as he is the one who gives it.

Roeder also said if violence is committed “righteously,” then it is acceptable. This is absolutely true, but his actions were not righteous. Roeder and Tiller both committed murder, something expressly forbidden time and again in the Bible. Not only does this make a problem for anti-abortion advocates, but it also hurts the image of Christians as a whole. The world sees another crazy Christian killing off evil. I see a man who disobeyed God and is not repentant or even sorry for what he has done. This is not the true spirit of God.

There were other things that could have been done to shut Tiller’s clinic down. Protests and rallies could have been organized. Petitions could have been signed and media exposure may have helped end the injustice Tiller was engaged in. It is simply not acceptable to murder someone because you think they are doing harm. It is difficult for everyone to understand why evil is allowed, but God promises us that all evil will be judged. Every single injustice in the history of the world will be judged, and it is up to us to wait on God’s timing.

I am not surprised by the refusal of Roeder to admit he is wrong and needs forgiveness from God and Tiller’s family. If he were to actually show remorse and apologize for what he has done, I may not be so harsh on the man. But his outright denial that he has done nothing wrong is sickening. I cannot and will not condemn him, because it is not my role to do so. When extremists come into the realm of Christianity and try to pervert it and justify their acts of violence, I cannot let that stand. Committing murder in the name of defending life is like giving to the rich to help out the poor. It makes no sense.

The question of when life begins may never be agreed upon by everyone. The end of life is not up to us – leave it to God.