So I have had a number of people ask me of my opinion about the death of Osama Bin-Laden. I guess when you are a spiritual leader (of sorts) other people want to know what you think about the rises and falls of other spiritual leaders.
Actually, I think they ask me what I think because they want permission to feel however they are feeling. Some are really happy that he is dead. Some are shocked that anyone is happy that someone has been killed. And there are a whole bunch of you in between who feel happy but then feel guilty for feeling happy. So here is my take...
Am I happy that Osama is dead? Yea, I am. I feel a sense of happiness that the man who has been the spiritual and tactical leader of Islamic extremists which have killed thousands of people out of hate and blind religious fervor is dead. Now, it is not wave-my-flag-outside-my-house-high-five-the-nearest-military-personnel happy, but is happy nonetheless. Now, if his actions had a more personal impact I am sure my fervor would be escalated. But for now I am happy. I am happy Osama is dead!
There are other things I am happy about. I am happy that my dog knows to go to the bathroom in the yard and not in the house. I am happy that my kids get good grades. I am happy that the sun is shining and it is 68 degrees outside. I don't say this to state that I equate Bin-Laden's death to my dogs bowel movements. I have too much respect for our military and for human life to do that. What I am getting at is that happiness if fleeting. Is it allowable to be happy when evil is extinguished? I believe there were a number of people who were happy when Hitler died. But the evil they stood for is still among us. There are still people who believe in what Hitler believed in just as there are still racists, bigots, hate-mongers, and the like. Osama is dead and I am happy because it may mean that innocent people may be saved, but I am not naive. I know that his life and his teachings will still poison the minds of young men and women who are looking for a reason, a purpose, to live. So my happiness is fleeting because I know that although he is dead what he stood for is not.
Now, here is the million dollar question: Is it okay with God that I am happy that Osama is dead? Well, that is a mixed bag. The NT talks about "loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). Many people have used this scripture to defend their way of thinking. As if it is a blanket statement, that this encompasses all enemies. As I look at these scripture, I am having a hard time putting Bin-Laden in the same definition of "enemy" as scripture is defining. The "enemy" Jesus is talking about is a personal persecutor. Someone who does bad to you specifically because of your faith. I believe Bin-Laden is a different kind of "enemy".
I believe, we do a disservice to Christianity when we regurgitate the theology of love without framing it within other characteristics of God. God is love and his love permeates every part of Him. And on this occasion - Love is permeating justice. I believe a just God looked down upon a humanity that he loves and saw an injustice that could not be rectified (that is a benefit of being God - omniscience!) And because of his love for the innocent, allowed justice to be handed out by our government on behalf of Him. This may make you uncomfortable, but I do believe that God's justice is demonstrated in ways that we don't necessarily like or understand. If Osama would've died by a massive coronary or a giant lightening bolt in the sky what would you say? You would think "Well, God gave him what he deserved!" If God can use doctor's to be his healing hand for the sick why can't he use the military to be his hand of justice for the inhumane and murderous?
Maybe I am not as happy as I thought because I don't think God was happy in killing him. I do believe that, in the end, his love for humanity as a whole won out and caused him to eliminate someone who didn't care - and I am going to have to be okay with that.
