On Friday morning, I got up before four am to watch two people I'll never meet get married. My husband couldn't sleep and we sat together in our pajamas drinking coffee, eyes burning tired, and I cried when I saw the bride get into the car. And I wasn't thinking about wealth, or titles, or fashion. I was thinking, it's always beautiful to witness love.
On Sunday morning I read an article on NPR telling how three of Gadhafi's young grandchildren had been killed in a NATO strike on his home.
On Sunday night, I learned on twitter that Osama Bin Laden had been killed. Some people celebrate. Some remain solemn. Some quote the Bible on Facebook to justify violence. They use it as a sword. Other people quote it as a reminder of love. The Bible is confounding and can be used to justify nearly anything. Which is more dangerous? Sword or love?
I'm not saying that the death of people who do evil deeds is never necessary. It's just that this world is not a fantasy novel. This isn't Stryder leading us to the keep, this isn't Harry slaying Voldemort. This is real death and real war, and I don't see a reason to rejoice.
"Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love. This is the eternal rule." Buddha.
"Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." Martin Luther King, Jr
The Bible should never be reduced to just a single verse justifying your thought at the moment. Osama was a murderinb basterd. Did he get "what he deserved?" I'm not sure. Did he receive a just punishment for his crimes, unspeakable, unthinkable crimes? Yes. I'm not running out into the streets celebrating, but I am glad that justice was served.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the Bible just can't be reduced to prove a point. While I do love certain verses that can say so much, the Bible just isn't fully understood unless studied in it's entirety. I recently even just read through Romans in one sitting - wow ,was it eye opening! - to not just read a verse here or there...
ReplyDeleteBut I do feel inclined to celebrate the justice here on behalf of the 9/11 victims, the same way I'd celebrate with any crime victim who sees justice served. I am happy that justice seems served, but sad that sin has touched all our lives, Osama's and mine included - it doesn't have to equal hatred. We're all in the same boat here, really. Osama is not Voldemort... sin is.
I think the rejoycing will get us in a world of more hurt if people aren't careful.
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