The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Side of the War On Terror

It has been two days since I learned - along with the rest of the world - of the death of Osama Bin Laden.  The response from the wprld community has been a study of contrasts, as one might expect.  While I regret not responding more quickly to this news I nevertheless would like to throw my two cents worth into the mix.

I find myself sympathetic and understanding of those who express a sense of joy, relief and celebration over the death of this "Death-Demon", as some have called Bin Laden.  Yet at the same time I also find myself a bit appalled by their response.  I suppose what I am saying is I can see how this news might be summarized as The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Side Of The War On Terror.

THE GOOD

Clearly for many this was a time of successfully executing Justice on behalf of the thousands of persons who have died horrible deaths at the hands - or should at say at the mind - of the reigning figurehead of Terror, Osama Bin Laden.  The fact that the United States operatives were able to complete this mission so swiftly, with minimal bloodshed, is indeed remarkable.  The past decade has been deeply marred by the acts of terror carried out internationally in compliance with the orders originating with Bin Laden.  His death marks the end of that aspect of terror.  To this extent it is good.  As many of the survivors of victims who have died because of Bin Laden's network of terror have testified this moment brings a certain sense of justice even if it cannot restore the innocent lives lost.  The pain is still there, but healing has tken a sizable step forward.

I am not one who celebrates death.  Not even the death of one whom I would call evil.  And Osama Bin Laden was clearly an evil person, in my mind.  Still, I understand the feelings of those who feel joy.  I would probably call my repsonse one of relief rather than joy, but I can empathize to a degree with those who feel more  joyful.

THE BAD

The downside to this is the sense of gloating; the arrogance and the hypocrisy of some who celebrate.   In our response to Bin Laden's death let us be careful - very careful - that we do not become the very image of the one we so despise.  Al-qaida rejoiced shamelessly following September 11, 2001 and we watched in disbelief at their euphoria.  If we respond in kind today we justify their actions.

I am reminded of David at the death of King Saul (see 2 Samuel 1).  Though Saul terrorized David and was obssessed with attempting to kill him, yet David could not feel any sense of joy at Saul's death.  Instead he mourned the occasion and instructed the nation to mourn with him.  To take this a step further, David even refused to kill Saul when twice he had the opportunity to do so (see 1 Samuel 24 and 26).

I have heard and read arguments from Christian leaders who claim Old Testament passages that seemingly suggest God rejoices in the death of evil persons.  These are quoted out of context and interpreted with a generous dose of personal bias, however, in an effort to reach the desired conclusion that we are right to feel giddy today.  For me, David serves as a living example of what Godly grief should look like in the face of the death of ungodly people.  How is it that the very ones who cry the loudest in the name of evangelism and the supposed saving of souls should rejoice so bodly at the death of unrepentant sinners?  If this is not hypocrisy I do not know what is.

As further instruction on how we should respond to evil we Christians ought to take a look at our leader, Jesus Christ.  Did he curse those who were responsible for his death?  Did he at any time suggest a sense of celebration was in order at the demise of a wicked person?  No.  Rather he prayed for his tormentors and forgave his executioners.  This is the pattern I want to follow in my life.

THE UGLY

The ugly side of this whole scenario is the underlying evil that constantly tears humanity apart.  Terrorism will not end with the death of Osama Bin Laden.  It will gain a different poster-child.  It may go by a new name.  It may be headquartered in another location.  But the War of Terrorism is not over.  And the enmity between nations, between races, between cultures, and between neighbors and even family members continues.

President Barak Obama has called for a new era of unity within our nation.  But it goes deeper than that.  As a species, as human beings regardless of what we look like or where we live, we must begin to recognize the One Source of Truth that transcends all reality.  His name is Jesus.  Only when we are united in him can experience peace.  And he, alone, can put an end to all terror, fear, and sorrow. 

The words of a once-popular song comes to mind as worth quoting here:  "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."



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gdgehr
May 3, 2011