Today, I feel that it is more worth it. Like I have mentioned before, if you disagree with me and choose to verbalize so, please do! Please be respectful in any private e-mails to me or any comments you may leave. Please be respectful to other commenters as well, for their opinions are just as valuable as mine. We may not all see eye to eye, but we can all agree to disagree on these situations.
Last night was a very unsettling moment in our nations history. Our situation in the war has not always been popular or agreed with. I have not always agreed with the war situation, but I have always supported our troops and the men that are following the orders from our Commander in Chief. Our soldiers carry out orders, and should not be punished for the decisions on the war that you or I may not agree with. If you are a soldier, married to a soldier, or have any connections to soldiers, please thank them from the bottom of my heart today.
The announcement from the President sent our nation in an uproar of emotions. I personally do not feel relief in the announcement. I feel anxiety of retaliations and the potential exacerbation of the troubles overseas due to the announcement.
I do, however, feel relieved the search is over. Our local news stations have been covering a violent act over the past few weeks that have left many members in our community making statements regarding hopes of the death penalty for this particular situation. No matter the dangerous individual, I find relief when they are prevented from causing further harm. No matter the dangerous individual, I find relief when they are prevented from causing further harm. I do not feel that the prevention HAS to be death. The death of another is never reason to celebrate.
I don't keep my Christian faith a secret, and I find it against my Christian beliefs to celebrate the death or fall of any other individual. While I find happiness in the protection of others, I do not find happiness, excitement or relief that another human has been killed. I found it horribly sad to see so many statements released via news media, twitter, facebook, and other sources of people celebrating his death, not the situation. I found it horrifying to watch the streets in Washington becoming flooded with individuals chanting statements to celebrate the death. A good bloggy friend (and facebook friend) of mine put it best this morning and I want to paraphrase her remarks. We were so horrified to watch the people in other lands celebrate the deaths of thousands during the September 11 attacks, but somehow found it appropriate to celebrate the death that was announced last night? The victory is not in the death, it is not a situation of "he had it coming" or "he got what he deserved." Since when is it our place to decide what other individuals deserve?
The most disturbing aspect was a statement on CNN last night. One individual was interviewing via telephone and stated, "I hope to God he rots in hell." Any believer in God, heaven and hell having these types of feelings towards another truly sadden me. I wish the fury of hell on no one, but rather hope with all I have that any individual facing death made his peace with God prior to his death so that he may have everlasting life. It is not, nor will ever be, my place to decide who should and should not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I am grateful that I will not have to make those judgements, and leave those up to the Lord when the day comes. As a Christian, I hope that all individuals create their peace with God (in any manner that they believe, not my way) prior to death. I wish hell on no one. I wish death on no one. I do not celebrate the death of others.
"Tell them, 'As sure as I am the living God, I take no pleasure from the death of the wicked. I want the wicked to change their ways and live. Turn your life around! Reverse your evil ways! Why die, Israel?" Ezekiel 33:11
Praying for peace.
Praying for peace.
5 comments:
Great post- my thoughts exactly. The Ezekiel verse has been on my mind today too. And, as someone who lives overseas (and in the Middle East, for that matter,) I definitely fear the retribution that will be coming for others.
Good post. I think your words were perfect!
"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
As the wife of a soldier serving his 23rd year, and one who was fighting overseas the day the war started to find Osama bin Laden -- and most importantly, a woman after God's own heart -- we were beyond joyful that the man who massacred thousands (far exceeding just 9/11 alone) had been put to death. While I value and respect your opinion and those of the others commenting, I felt it necessary to share it from a military perspective. Comparing the jubilance seen around our nation, eg. D.C., NYC, to the jubilance of Radical Islamic Terrorists and their followers at the news of 9/11 is both unfair and irresponsible. The RITs were dancing in the streets at the news that nearly 3,000 innocent people had been murdered by their master while going to work, school, dropping their children off at daycare, etc. The Americans celebrating at bin Laden's death were doing so because they were bursting with pride at the persistence -- 10 years! -- our military men/women fought with to hunt down and capture the most wanted Radical Islamic Terrorist in history. The fact that he died as a result of his (even to the end while using his wife to shield him) heinous acts should NEVER be compared to the horrendous deaths those on 9/11 endured. It is both unAmerican and most definitely not something that honors God. I suggest each of you take a moment and research the Biblical basis for your feelings. In doing so, you'll find none. Rejoicing that someone of Bin Laden's caliber is dead and living out eternity in Hell (as the Word promises) does not make one less of a Christian. But standing on your faith to justify your lax feelings certainly doesn't make you a "better" Christian, either. The military of our nation is not charged with being politically correct or being good Christians -- the Bible is very clear about its place. The military is charged with protecting and serving our nation at all costs. To make this a "I'm a better Christian because I think people are wrong for rejoicing the death of Satan himself" argument is very indicative of a Christian who needs to put their nose in the Bible. My husband and I love the Lord with all our hearts, and we honor Him and strive to bring Glory to Him in all we do...and no one wants death to befall another...but the Bible is very clear on when that should happen, and it did, and we're glad. Now, instead of everyone giving their PC commentaries on the subject as a way of getting their "I'm a better Christian than you are" badges, I suggest people pray for our men and women in uniform who make it possible each day for you to even own those commentaries and make them public. The coming days and weeks ahead are going to be very trying for our nation and those who serve along with their families. Retaliation is a given.
I'm thankful my husband is strong enough, courageous enough and brave enough to stand up for what so many Americans could never or would never do. The fact that there is one less mass murderer in the world makes me sleep better at night, and instead of criticizing, you might consider being grateful. Someday, our streets could be reeling with terrorists just like those in Baghdad, and because they are not, we should be thankful and learn to keep our mouths closed more often.
I couldn't agree more. COULDNT AGREE MORE. And Eric is the same way. We were actually JUST talking about it yesterday and how we were scared to even really say our feelings at work. When we were attacked, people celebrated in the streets in their country. And now.. look.. what makes us so different? And was that the Christian thing to do? Celebrate? *sigh* I skimmed the comment above mine, and everyone is entitled to their opinions, but just know I'm agreeing with you, girlie. I pray for our soliders, but I also pray for peace and to stop this bloodshed.
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