I am aghast that Gerard F. Powers of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame, quoted in America magazine, August 3-10, would explain concerning the assassination of terrorists, “the same criteria that would apply to war would apply to the killings of terrorists.” Terrorists by whose definition? I can only hope that he is misquoted or quoted out of context!
As Americans, we are now quagmired in a war because of bad or distorted intelligence and immoral preemptive strikes. Using more secret “intelligence” to target terrorists and making arguments or excuses for assassinations speeds our slide down a slippery slope greased by torture. Our country's rule of law and judicial processes must be followed to examine the evidence, determine guilt, and protect society - Lest we become a terrorist state to fight terrorism.
As Christians, we must also remember Christ saying, “Love your enemies, do good to those that hate you.”