So, as most of you have probably heard, Osama Bin Laden is dead. I've been seeing and hearing a lot of celebratory talk about this--including spontaneous "USA" chants at sporting events--and it makes me a little sick. I never liked the "War on Terror". Even before I was a Christian, I was against it. The proper response to terrorism is not war. Violence only begets violence. I am, and always have been, a pacifist.
Luke 6:29 states: If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don't hold back your shirt either.
Matthew 5:39: But I tell you, don't resist [or retaliate against] an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
Proverbs 3:31-32: Don't envy a violent man or choose any of his ways; for the devious are detestable to the LORD, but He is a friend to the upright.
These kinds of passages are numerous. God's people are not meant to fight back, not meant to retaliate, not meant to take revenge. We are supposed to LOVE, not hate. Build up, not destroy. One song that really captures this idea (at least to me) is People of God by Gungor:
About half an hour ago, one of my facebook friends provided this link which puts forth the same argument I'm making, only much better.
So, in summary, this is not an event we should be celebrating. Another of God's children--for that's what every person on this planet is, whether they believe it or act it or not--has died without knowing His grace. Not to mention the 4 others that were killed during the raid, including one woman that was being used as a human shield.
Sorry if I've brought everybody down with this post, but I just felt I had to chime in on such a "momentous occasion" as this.
I agree that as Christians we shouldn't take vengeance against our enemies. I also agree that it is a tragedy whenever a human life is lost, especially when that person is not a Christ follower. Because of that, I don't feel that celebrating is the right response. That being said, I have a couple objections. 1) America is not a Theocracy. Our government cannot be expected to act based on the words of Jesus. 2) Romans 13 talks about government leaders and how they "carry the sword" for a reason; to show wrath to those who do bad. Now, I'm not saying my viewpoint is right, just that it's something to think about.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Jase. I agree with what you're saying. The main reason I posted this was I saw one comment on the story of Bin Laden's death talking about "typical Christians" cheering over someone's death. It wasn't that I think America is--or even should be--a theocracy. I really have a problem with the loud, obnoxious, hell and damnation Christians being labeled as the "typical Christians", the same as I'm sure many Muslims hate seeing Osama and his ilk being labeled as "typical Muslims".
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