In the NY Times Pres. Obama says that "justice has been done". The article also says...
The news touched off an extraordinary outpouring of emotion as crowds gathered outside
the White House, in Times Square and at the ground zero site, waving American flags,
cheering, shouting, laughing and chanting, “U.S.A., U.S.A.!” In New York City, crowds
sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Throughout downtown Washington, drivers honked
horns deep into the night.
Wow. That's a lot of celebration just 'cause America killed someone.
All over I'm hearing/seeing stuff...from suggestions that yesterday should be a national holiday to people celebrating joyfully that Al-Qaeda's sought after leader is finally dead.
And I'm left standing here wondering what to think. Yes, I know this guy was cruel. He was a killer. I know that. But then I'm left to think, What would Jesus do? Would he have rejoiced that America finally has "justice"? Would he have declared the the death of a man is cause for celebration? A what happened to love your enemies as yourself?
There's such thing as 'righteous anger'. I think that the US had reason to be mad with Osama bin Laden...but I don't know if killing him is justice.
I guess killing him is the only way to save others from being killed by him...but still. I don't know.
Don't get me wrong: I know full well that this guy was NOT a good guy. I'm not trying to defend him or anything. I'm just suggesting something...
So...what do you think?
9 comments:
I've been thinking along the same lines as you, Vivi. I believe that even though he was a horrid man, that doesn't mean he deserved death. Who are we to take another's life?
"No man deserves death or Hell; rather, pray for your fellow man, regardless of how sick, or how in need he is of forgiveness".
I am celebrating because the world is a little bit safer, but I am sad because yet another unrepentant man has died, not knowing the Lord's glory. I don't believe that we do have 'justice' in taking another's time, the time that he might have been able to use to repent.
Lord have mercy!
I think that we should never, ever, ever rejoice in the death of the unrepentant sinner. I know he lived a sinful life, but we can't call ourselves true Christians and rejoice when someone dies without repentance. The Bible says:
"No man deserves death or Hell; rather, pray for your fellow man, regardless of how sick, or how in need he is of forgiveness"
"Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways..." - Ezekiel 33:11
For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. "Therefore, repent and live." (Ezekiel 18:32)
The world is a bit safer for a moment, but there are still more terrorists in the world, despite whether bin Laden is dead or not. All we can do now is pray for him. Pray that his troubled soul is granted peace, forgiveness, and repentance.
In Christ,
katie
Ur right Katie & Emily, but there ARE verses in the Bible that contradict that:
"When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting." Proverbs 11:10
and..
"The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked." Psalm 58:10
so, the Bible can be really complicated when taken out of context! ;-) but, i think God is saying that we should rejoice when we have been oppressed, (and, we have been oppressed by Osama, and he's taken many lives) and who knows? God's way of vengeance might've been Navy Seals?!?! :) who are we to stand in his way? ;-)
This is a very interesting/controversial topic, what else do you think? :)
Molly
Official Vatican statement:
"Osama bin Laden, as we all know, bore the most serious responsibility for spreading divisions and hatred among populations, causing the deaths of innumerable people, and manipulating religions for this purpose.
In the face of a man’s death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men, and hopes and works so that every event may be the occasion for the further growth of peace and not of hatred.” – Father Federico Lombardi, S.J.
Molly,
Usually when the Psalms or the Bible talk about enemies, they mean the demons, our only real enemies. I know that Osama bin Laden lived a sinful life and killed many people, but we should pray for his soul, for he is also made in the image and likeness of God and is our brother in Christ.
That's just it, Katie, Osama's not our brother in Christ. He never accepted God's free gift of grace, and never accepted Jesus into his heart. And, no, the Bible and Psalms mean our enemies, human and demons alike. Just like when God told David to conquer a city and leave no one alive, not man, woman, children, or cattle. They were idol worshippers, who had given themselves to the devil. Just like Osama. He gave himself to the devil...who sadly, used him very well for his purposes.
But yet, he is a human being, and we must love him because he is an icon of our Lord.
Vivi, what you have said on your post shows your love for people who are less fortunate. I know that God will bless you for that. :-)
Like Emily said, we must love him still. We sin too, only not as public as he. Jesus himself said, "Love your enemies!' not 'Hate your Enemies'.
True, and i'm not saying i hate him. i rejoice that he is dead so that he can kill no more and do no more evil things. That is why i am happy. Not that he is in hell, but because now he can not cause any more loss of life. :)
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