A man is dead. Yes. Killed? Yes. Assassinated? Yes. A casualty of war? Possibly. Murdered? That depends on your point of view. A criminal? Yes. An evil man? Yes. Killed as act of revenge? For some, likely. Deserving of killing? People in this country think so. Our leaders think so; they put the “hit” out on him.
A man is dead, and Americans cheered. As a nation we celebrated his assassination. People flocked to the streets, to Times Square, Ground Zero and the White House. Soldiers and civilians alike waved American flags and sang the national anthem. When the President reported the event 45,000 spectators at the Mets-Phillies game in Philadelphia spontaneously began to chant “USA, USA…” People watched the news late into the night and partied in response. Millions expressed their glee at the death of “Public Enemy #1.”
Was it closure for the families of the victims, the people of New York, Langley, Shanksville or our nation? I hope so, but I would be surprised if that were the case. Did his death end the threats of terrorism? No. Is the war over? No. Are the troops on their way home? No. Was justice served? Many, if not most would say yes. Is this American justice? No. Does it matter to most Americans? Probably not. Even the ACLU website was mute on the subject.
Two facts are clear: Osama bin Laden is dead and Americans cheered. I struggle with this. I understand cheering the end of war. Americans cheered VE-Day, VJ-Day and the end of the Korean and Viet Nam conflicts. At the end of WWII the New York Daily Mirror headline read “VE-DAY! PUBLIC HOLIDAY TODAY AND TOMORROW – OFFICIAL” and the Stars and Stripes’ ran “VICTORY Nazis Reveal Surrender To Western Allies, Russia.” In contrast Monday’s New York Daily News headline read “ROT IN HELL!” The New York Post ran “GOT HIM! Vengeance at last! US nails the bastard.”
Applauding the conclusion of a decade long manhunt is understandable. Commending the perseverance of the American military and the courage of the Navy Seals is fitting. Celebrating victory in battle is almost expected, but is still not the same as celebrating the end of hostilities. Leaders around the world congratulated President Obama and hailed the conclusion of the hunt for bin Laden. There has been joy expressed from across the globe. I, too, am grateful that this phase of the war on terror has ended, but I cannot cheer anyone’s death, not even Osama bin Laden. I cannot applaud vengeance, and as a Christian I would not wish Hell on anyone. The jubilant reaction of our citizens to a killing saddens me. The mass expression of hate is at best unbecoming to a nation founded on Judeo-Christian principles.
Speaking for the Vatican, Father Federico Lombardi said, “Osama bin Laden, as everyone knows, had the grave responsibility of having spread division and hate among people, causing the deaths of an innumerable number of people and exploiting religion for these purposes.” He said that while Christians “do not rejoice” over a death it serves to remind them of “each person’s responsibility before God and men” and this “would not be an occasion for more hate but for peace. Lombardi’s reminders counsel us walk the walk we talk.
An evil man is dead. May we rest in peace and let God be the judge of Mr. bin Laden’s soul. 
1 comment:
I, too, was one that rejoiced (albeit quietly) when I heard the news. But as I pondered it more, I pitied the man. While the world rejoices, God weeps. He does not want to lose anybody. And yet he lost Bin Laden. Here was a man who - if he was a true Muslim - knew of Jesus. But over the years he never accepted Jesus as the Christ. Despite many opportunities, he never accepted the Christ. Despite one last dramatic opportunity, he never accepted the Christ. For God and Bin Laden, this is a lose-lose situation.
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