In a press release, the League calls the film “one of the most offensive and outrageous abuses of the memory of the Holocaust we have seen in years.”

The 30-minute film, which is referred to as the “180 movie,” has garnered almost 1.5 million views on YouTube and has been heavily circulated among anti-abortion activists. The creator of the film, Ray Comfort, recently announced he was sending the movie to high schools in the hopes that the movie is shown to students.

Personhood USA emailed 600,000 voters in Mississippi a link to the controversial film just a day before Mississippians would vote on the failed Personhood amendment.

According to the Anti-Defamation League’s press release:

“The film is a perverse attempt to make a case against abortion in America through the cynical abuse of the memory of those killed in the Holocaust,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director and a Holocaust survivor. “Not only does the film try to assert a moral equivalency between the Holocaust and abortion, but it also brings Jews and Jewish history into the discussion and then calls on its viewers to repent and accept Jesus as their savior. It is, quite frankly, one of the most offensive and outrageous abuses of the memory of the Holocaust we have seen in years.”

The film “180″ is part of an initiative led by “Living Waters,” which has spearheaded “Project Heart Changer,” which aims to change peoples’ minds about abortion and get them to accept Jesus as their savior.

…

In the film, Comfort manipulates the young people interviewed to view the killing of innocent Jews during the Holocaust to be the same as the killing of fetuses. First, he asks the young people whether they would agree to bulldoze innocent Jews into a mass grave and bury them alive it would save their own lives. Then he asks questions about abortion. He tells the young people who answered ‘no’ to the first question that they have just said that they would not kill innocent Jews, but they think it is okay to kill innocent babies.

“We’re talking about a Holocaust in America, in our country, that’s sanctioned by the government,” Comfort says. He goes on to claim that American people allowing abortions is doing exactly what the Germans did, that Hitler had the sanction of the German people to kill Jews.

In a statement responding to the League’s press release, Comfort said:

No one but a Holocaust survivor can really understand the horror of what the Jews suffered. But the analogy stands. Hitler justified their murder by saying that Jews weren’t human. Abortion advocates do the same by calling a baby a “fetus” (as do ADL in their press release). Yet at 6 weeks 6 days a baby has a heartbeat, eyes, a mouth and hands. We show actual footage of this in our movie. Science now tells us that at the moment of conception there is DNA, determining the eye-color, hair-color and the height and personality of the person. Destroy that, and you destroy the person.

Source: Wikipedia

Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, the state’s largest anti-abortion group, says the University of Minnesota is trying to clone human beings and is in violation of the law. The university says its research is legal and that the group is engaging in a “disinformation campaign” designed to halt stem cell research.

MCCL is going after the university in the wake of a new law passed by the Minnesota Legislature — at Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s demand — that bans taxpayer funding for human cloning.

MCCL called on the university to “cease its pursuit of human cloning and to end its violation of state law through its ongoing destruction of human embryos.”

The university says it does not engage in human cloning and that all stem cell research is legal and done with private dollars.

In a letter to MCCL, Wendy Burt, director of public and community affairs for the Academic Health Center, directed the group to “remove false statements” about the university and “issue a retraction visible to your members and the community containing the truth” about the university’s research.

MCCL shot back. “MCCL’s statements regarding the University of Minnesota’s pursuit of human cloning and its embryo-destructive research have always been accurate,” said MCCL executive director Scott Fischbach. “The university’s letter only serves to highlight its own dishonest portrayal of its efforts to clone human beings.”

But Burt says that MCCL is working to quash all stem cell research at the university. “Your characterization is irresponsible,” Burt wrote to the group. “Stem cell research is regulated by stringent federal oversight and is carried out within the strict guidelines of federal law and the National Institutes of Health.”

Burt added, “I ask that in the future you commit to ensuring any information about the university is responsible and accurate.”

PPMNS has accepted the help of the U.S. Marshals. The group provides reproductive health services in Minnesota and the Dakotas. It is the only provider of abortion services in South Dakota.

“In the wake of the tragic murder of Dr. George Tiller, PPMNS has accepted an offer to supplement our present security with support from the U.S. Marshals Service,” Sarah Stoesz, president of PPMNS told the Washington Post. “It is critically important that we ensure the safety of our doctors, staff and patients.”

While investigators haven’t released information about the suspect or motive, Tiller had been a target of anti-abortion activists for more than a decade. He was shot in both arms by Rachelle Shannon in 1993. His clinic was bombed in 1986, and was vandalized earlier this month causing several thousand dollars in damage.

If his murder was the result of anti-abortion ideology, Tiller’s would be the eighth death in the last 20 years. In addition, there have been 17 attempted murders, 41 bombings, 175 incidents of arson, 96 attempted bombings or arson, 390 invasions, 1,400 cases of vandalism, 1,993 cases of trespassing, 100 butyric acid attacks, 659 anthrax threats, 179 cases of assault and battery, 406 death threats, four kidnappings, 151 burglaries, and 525 cases of stalking directed at abortion clinics, doctors and patients according to the National Abortion Federation.

Those numbers include Matthew Derosia’s attack on a Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Paul earlier this year.

Anti-abortion activists quickly condemned the murder.

“We cannot kill people in the name of pro-life.” said Bryan Kemper, president of Stand True. “Answering the violence of abortion with more violence will not serve the babies or help the pro-life movement in any way.”

Operation Rescue, a group that had launched a national protest against Tiller in 1991, wrote in a release: “Operation Rescue has worked for years through peaceful, legal means, and through the proper channels to see him brought to justice. We denounce vigilantism and the cowardly act that took place this morning. We pray for Mr. Tiller’s family that they will find comfort and healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ.”

But Randall Terry, the founder of Operation Rescue, was less apologetic. “George Tiller was a mass-murderer. We grieve for him that he did not have time to properly prepare his soul to face God,” said Terry. “I am more concerned that the Obama Administration will use Tiller’s killing to intimidate pro-lifers into surrendering our most effective rhetoric and actions. Abortion is still murder. And we still must call abortion by its proper name; murder.”

“He died the way he lived. His was a bloody death,” said the Rev Rusty Thomas of Operation Save America. “Someone ‘chose’ to end George Tiller’s life this morning, in his church.”

Rev. CJ Conner, author of “Jesus and the Culture Wars: Reclaiming the Lord’s Prayer,” said it was Tiller’s church that was to blame.

Mr. Tiller lived quite the murderous life himself, pulling viable babies out by their legs and sucking their brains out with a vacuum. Other Churches called him to repentance and excommunicated him, but Reformation Lutheran, ELCA, enthusiastically embraced him, pocketbook and all.

Church discipline, and the call to repentance, is a matter of life and death in the Church. As Reformation Lutheran mops up Tiller’s blood from their foyer floor, let them not forget that his blood is also on their hands.

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, was saddened but wouldn’t label it an anti-abortion killing.

I am saddened to hear of the killing of George Tiller this morning. At this point, we do not know the motives of this act, or who is behind it, whether an angry post-abortive man or woman, or a misguided activist, or an enemy within the abortion industry, or a political enemy frustrated with the way Tiller has escaped prosecution. We should not jump to conclusions or rush to judgment.

But whatever the motives, we at Priests for Life continue to insist on a culture in which violence is never seen as the solution to any problem. Every life has to be protected, without regard to their age or views or actions.

Related:
Planned Parenthood of Minnesota to get U.S. Marshal protection

‘A fascist movement’: Last late-term-abortion doctor calls Tiller assassin ‘terrorist’

Derosia was sentenced to time served, but the state is seeking to have him permanently committed for mental illness. Derosia has faced at least two commitment proceedings in the last decade.

His family is opposing the current commitment, saying Derosia was only doing the Lord’s work.

In an email to the Minnesota Independent on Sunday, Derosia’s mother Georjean, came to his defense. “[It is] the state of Minnesota’s intention to LOCK UP my son for a non-violent protest against Planned Parenthood for THE REST OF HIS LIFE!!!”

Georgjean’s email was sent to anti-abortion activists soliciting funds to keep him out of full-time mental care.

“I agree he needs help and we are getting him the help he needs but without your help he will be lost to everyone forever. With Gods [sic] love we can get justice for this poor boy who was only doing what God asked him to do.”

Matthew Derosia pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 111 days time served and fined $50. He also must pay restitution to Planned Parenthood in the amount of $3,818.85.

The police report noted that after running a vehicle into the front of the clinic, Derosia was “holding a crucifix and shouting various Bible verses. ” He “refused to respond to police and continued to recite Bible verses and shout, ‘Close down the Auschwitz Death Camp.’”

He also told police that “he felt what he did was right and he would do it again if he were told to that he would do it again.”

The incident sparked condemnation from local anti-abortion leaders. Brian Gibson, executive director of Pro-Life Action Ministries, told KARE 11 at the time, “Not only do we not like this happening, we condemn this type of act. We’re against all violence,” Gibson said.

But the extreme wing of the anti-abortion movement has rallied to his defense.

Rev. Donald Spitz of the Army of God, a group that has expressed support for Derosia’s actions before, railed against Gibson.

“Brian Gibson, why did you condemn Matthew Derosia who only drive [sic] a van into a babykilling facility, yet accept women who actually murder their own children by abortion and have the blood of their own children on their hands?,” he wrote in an email to Gibson that’s posted on Spitz’s website.

“What is more important to the LORD Jesus Christ, to save babies about to be murdered in a babykilling abortion mill or the facade of that babykilling abortion mill? To you it is the facade of the babykilling abortion mill that needs protecting and not the babies being murdered.”

“Our nation and new president will be challenged by ongoing wars, an economy in severe recession, ballooning deficits, high unemployment and an environment and health care system in crisis,” wrote the Rev. Michael Tegeder of St. Edward’s Church in Bloomington. “Yet at this very moment the Catholic bishops have declared that they have this more pressing need.”

That need is to organize a postcard campaign targeting legislators and Obama over abortion legislation.

FOCA will stir a heated debate in upcoming months. Obama pledged to sign it if Congress passes it. “The first thing I’d do, as president, is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That’s the first thing that I’d do,” he told Planned Parenthood supporters at a campaign event in 2007.

FOCA would essentially codify the reproductive rights that were interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade.

The bill reads:

“A government may not deny or interfere with a woman’s right to choose to bear a child, to terminate a pregnancy prior to viability, or to terminate a pregnancy after viability where termination is necessary to protect the life or health of the woman; or discriminate against the exercise of the rights set forth in paragraph in the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services, or information.”

Tegeder penned his opinion in a letter to the Star Tribune, targeting the bishops’ intent to pressure Obama on FOCA. Tegeder said that among the many problems with the postcard campaign, the bishops are attacking Obama instead of finding common ground.

“We can do many positive things. Indeed, Obama has stated that he wants to reduce the number of abortions. We should work with him on doing this,” Tegeder wrote. “During this season of goodwill, let us offer our new president some and hold back on the confrontation. And to the bishops: Your Graces, remember grace.”

Tegeder’s words directly confront his boss, the Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, John Neinstedt.

“When I signed up 35 years ago to be a priest, little did I realize that postcards would be an essential tool of ministry in the Catholic Church,” said Tegeder. He pointed to Neinstedt and his postcard campaigns pushing a Republican-led same-sex marriage ban several years ago.

“To someone who did not see this as necessary, it seemed a waste of time and money. It also generated some unnecessary ill will,” wrote Tegeder.

Neinstedt recently weighed in on the FOCA debate and seems to be enthusiastically in support of stopping the legislation. “In effect, FOCA would certainly be a boon to the abortion industry with the government forced to condone and promote such procedures,” Neinstedt wrote on the Archdiocese Web site. “It is hard to imagine a more radical piece of pro-abortion legislation.”

While the Archdiocese hasn’t publicly commented on Tegeder’s letter, members of the laity have. One Catholic blogger called for his excommunication.

Another is initiating a postcard campaign of her own, directed at Tegeder. “Reducing abortions is not an acceptable goal. Stopping abortion entirely is,” wrote a St. Paul Catholic blogger. “Education is a large part of the effort. Father [Tegeder] may need some help understanding this.”

Another Minnesota Catholic blog wrote that Tegeder “not only endangers his own immortal soul, but also those of his parishioners.”

Tegeder has been a controversial member of Minnesota’s Catholic hierarchy. He has supported moves toward inclusion of gays and lesbians in the church, opposes the church ban on priests marrying, and once called Neinstedt “self-righteous” and “a bully.”

Photo by Susan WD.

The Family Research Council, a religious right organization that opposes equal rights for gays and lesbians, rushed to the aid of Rep. Michele Bachmann in the wake of Anti-AmericaGate. They also rallied around Colorado Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, a Republican who has made opposition to same-sex marriage her signature issue in Congress.

In a letter to the Republican National Congressional Committee titled “NRCC Abandons Social Conservatives,” Family Research Council president Tony Perkins wrote, “You have made a grave error in judgment by pulling your funds from the Michelle Bachmann race in Minnesota and the Marilyn Musgrave race in Colorado,” he said. “The left is attacking both of these outstanding women because they are true conservatives.”

Despite the economy and the Iraq War dominating voters’ concerns this November, Perkins says it’s Bachmann’s and Musgrave’s extreme views on abortion and homosexuality that will sway voters.

“They vote pro-life and pro-family. Both Congresswomen are against taxpayer funding of abortion. Both oppose embryonic stem cell research, and both are for a Marriage Protection Amendment,” he said. “These are issues that motivate voters. These are issues they and other conservative candidates have won and can win with.”

MnIndy: A tool of the Religious Right?

The Family Research Council used reporting by the Minnesota Independent in its newly released voter guide (PDF) touching on abortion, same-sex marriage, “special protections for homosexuals” and stem-cell research. “Erik Paulsen runs away from Republicans and his own record” is used to bash Ashwin Madia on social issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, as are other reports from our coverage of the 3rd Congressional District debates. View their source guide (PDF).

Pro-lifer’s canceled speech riles right-wingers

“In Minnesota, there is another brilliant example of liberals trying to indoctrinate their views on college students,” wrote Crystal Clear Conservative. “The College of St. Catherine is banning Bay Buchanan from speaking on campus, because the college administration believes her speech would be a direct violation of their 501(c) (3) status.”

SCSU Scholars blog cried foul. “Bay Buchanan is neither a candidate nor engaged in a campaign or debate for any candidate,” read a post at the popular St. Cloud blog (its contributors helped arrange the Buchanan visit). The Republican Party-affiliated Young America’s Foundation suggested “a more sinister motive behind the cancellation of Ms. Buchanan’s speech and an utter contempt for intellectual diversity.”

Despite protestations that Buchanan is not campaigning for any candidate, Buchanan held an impromptu gathering across the street, hailing Sarah Palin’s candidacy. SCSU Scholars wrote, “As Bay stated, Sarah was not exactly the icon these feminists wanted. Sarah is (horrors) a Republican, a Christian and a mom who kept her child even after she knew it would have health problems. And, like it or not, she’s the new face of feminism.”

Despite outcries from the right wing, the college has been bipartisan in its policies. It banned Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton from appearing at the college this week and last month told DFL Senate candidate Al Franken he could not speak on campus.

Anti-Obama abortion mailers hitting Minnesota mailboxes

The Susan B. Anthony List has printed 500,000 of these mailers to send to mailboxes in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio and Pennsylvania this week. The two-sided mailer features a lenticular print on the front: when viewed from one angle, a baby is visible; from another, it’s gone.

Click the image for a larger size: