I guess really though, this story starts on 9/11, both individually and corporately. I was incredibly upset on that Tuesday and I could only think of vengeance. I wanted to enlist in the military that day - thankfully my dad talked me out of it.
But, it seemed on Sunday that justice had been done - and I didn't know how to feel. First, I felt a hollow glee. Very quickly that glee faded and I was just hollow. It seemed like a good thing that bin Laden was dead but I had a hard time being happy that anyone was dead.
All through Monday I watched as various people posted their thoughts to Facebook and Twitter. Some rejoiced, even posted Bible verses to justify their celebrations. My genuine question is would a loving God rejoice in death? God is just, for sure. But my justice is not God's. My desire for vengeance is not God's. My justice is typically selfish - centered only on how things have affected me.
Now, I am making no proclamations regarding the death of Osama bin Laden. I am not going to declare it justified or immoral. That is just my point - I don't know because I do not have God's sense of justice. What I do know, is that celebrating a death, any death, to me, seems rather immature.
Let me leave you with two quotes, you can decide for yourself which is more godly:
"“It is unusual to celebrate a death, but today Americans and decent people the world over cheer the news that madman, murderer and terrorist Osama Bin Laden is dead. The leader of Al Qaeda—- responsible for the deaths of 3000 innocent citizens on September 11, 2001, and whose maniacal hate is responsible for the deaths of thousands of US servicemen and women was killed by U.S. military. President Obama confirmed the announcement late last night. DNA tests confirmed his death and his body is in the possession of the U. S. It has taken a long time for this monster to be brought to justice. Welcome to hell, bin Laden. Let us all hope that his demise will serve notice to Islamic radicals the world over that the United States will be relentless is tracking down and terminating those who would inflict terror, mayhem and death on any of our citizens.”
- Mike Huckabee; former Southern Baptist Minister, former Governor of Arkansas,
presidential hopeful
"In front of the death of man, a Christian never rejoices but rather reflects on the grave responsibility of each one in front of God and men, and hopes and commits himself so that every moment not be an occasion for hatred to grow but for peace."
- Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican Spokesman
For further reading check out this great article from Relevant Magazine: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/current-events/op-ed-blog/25463-should-christians-celebrate-the-death-of-osama-bin-laden
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