This morning I woke up to find out that Osama (Usama) bin Laden had been killed in Pakistan. I know that a lot of people were over-joyed at this news and felt relief and/or closure. I didn't feel any of those things. I felt unsettled. I certainly understand why people reacted that way. It is a victory for our nation and justice has been served for the massive loss of life that we sustained on 9/11. Part of my problem is that with terrorists, the loss of one person, no matter how influential, will not stop them. Their goal is bigger to them than just Osama bin Laden. They will continue to carry out their acts of terror and could even go after the U.S. more aggressively. This is a cycle that will not be stopped by a few deaths. I don't feel any safer now that Osama bin Laden has been killed.
I guess the major thing for me is that I have a hard time with the idea of killing someone because you take away their possibility for redemption/salvation. It is why I struggle with Capital Punishment, too. I am certainly not infallible and have no right to judge anyone or take that opportunity away from them. I think that most people would agree that Osama bin Laden deserved death for the terrible things that he did and the callous way he treated the lives of thousands. Just because he deserved it does not mean that we should relish in it.
This is not a blog about my Christian views or anything like that, but I did feel that it was right for me to speak about this because it has been on my heart since I got up. I'll try to get back to more light-hearted fare soon! Sorry I've been MIA lately.
