The biggest story in the world right now is the death of terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden. If you know me, you know that one of my least favorite topics is politics. To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about the whole situation. I have more questions than answers. I'll supply the questions because I certainly don't have the answers.
Do religious beliefs and national pride conflict?
Is it okay to celebrate Justice? Is it okay to celebrate someone's death? Is there a way to do both? Is that okay?
What is the difference between Justice and vengeance?
Does killing the leader of unreasonable terrorists make them more or less reasonable? More or less angry? More or less passionate? More or less hateful?
Is killing the best way to stop killers? OR Is killing the only way to stop killers?
When the 10 Commandments, Jesus, and even Mohammad said that killing was bad, were there any exceptions? You know like for terrorists?
The foundation of these questions is the battle between my faith and my American pride.
I am so proud to be an American. I am so thankful for our troops and their families. I'm so thankful for those who have given their lives so that I can have mine. I'm so thankful for Justice. I am so thankful for Freedom that it breaks my heart when others don't have it.
At the same time I am so thankful to be a Christian. I am so thankful for Peace. I am so thankful for Life. I'm so thankful for Grace that it breaks my heart when others don't have it.
Do I celebrate when a terrorist dies because he is a terrorist? Or do I mourn when a terrorist does because a sinner refused Grace?
Should I ask God these questions tonight when I talk to Him? Or should I Google it?
Thoughts? Comments? More Questions?
Spot on, Brett. I have been wrestling with the same feelings.
ReplyDeleteI often find myself sitting silently as people discusss politics because I simply am disgusted by the fact that such an un-Christian system exists. How am I supposed to be interested in politics and war when it is based on self-promotion (sometimes seen as pride and greed), power, violence, and immature conflict? I've been asking these questions for years... more silently than I am now.
The more I pray, the more my heart hurts to see that people are rejoicing about this "victory". I am hesitant to clap my hands and smile because the more I pray, the more I am moved to mourn the whole situation.
One more man has become a slave to sin, terrorized millions (directly or indirectly), and has denied the extravagant Love that called out to him his whole life. God loves everyone right? It seems so hard to wrap my mind around that.
I'm just saddened by this whole situation- that we need men to risk their lives for our freedom, that people are brutally killed, that evil has infiltrated the hearts of so many with a strong influence on the world's events.
Thanks for sharing Mendy. I'm glad I'm not the only one!
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