A Dad's Response to the Killing of Osama Bin Laden

When it was announced that Osama bin Laden had been killed, I, like many others, found myself torn. On one hand, there was great relief that this person, a symbol and perpetrator of destruction and violence, had met his demise. On the other hand, there was great discomfort with the triumphalist celebrations that were happening all around the country.

Facebook and Twitter were blowing up with opinions about bin Laden's death and the consequent celebrations, and not far behind those were the opinions ABOUT the opinions. It quickly became a little ugly. I am sure that I did no help when at one point I tweeted and facebooked: "I hope someone soon has the courage to give a nuanced Christian response to Bin Laden's death that adresses enemies, revenge and hate."

After a great deal of conversation and after it became clear to me that I was simply not ready to be coherent or that it was time, I ended the night with this tweet, "While not always my intuitive response, I think I will choose silence and sleep ... for now."

But then, the next morning, as the news was playing in the background (on ESPN mind you), my 7-year-old daughter asked me, "Daddy, why are those people cheering that someone was killed?" Doh. It's times like these that this pastor, who happens to be a father, would really like to punt in my direction as so many other parents had done in the past, "That's a good question, maybe you should go ask our pastor." Chickens.

Far from that nuanced response that I had hoped for, here is what I basically said: "Well, sweetie, do you remember us talking about the World Trade Centers in New York being destroyed by the airplanes and a lot of people were killed? The person who played a big roll in that, and probably planned the whole thing, was killed by the United States. There are many people that are really glad that he is dead and will not be able to hurt anyone else. There are also many people who think he got was he deserved for killing so many people. Some people are REALLY happy and this is how they are showing it."

The look on her face made it clear that my heart was not in it as I explained this. She would be correct. Intellectually, psychologically and socially. I get why the celebrations took place, but it was clear that I did not agree. My wife in summed up what I was feeling, when she tweeted, "I cannot celebrate the killing of another human, no matter who that is."

Again, I know that bin Laden's death was, in many ways, inevitable and that there is still a great deal of pent up rage and fear about what happened nearly 10 years ago. But, even so, at my gut, no matter the evil, responding to such result in the way that so many did, took away from the gravity of what originally happened. When someone is brought to justice after such a heinous act, I simply do not believe that rejoicing as if we just won the World Series is the way to respond. Relief for the end of one part of a painful story and remembering those lost sure, but not dancing in the streets.

I simply think we must be better than that.

I also know that emotions are high about this and there are assumptions made about anyone who dares to state an opinion. But if we are to get anywhere as a society, we must all keep living what we believe to be true and right, especially during times like these. Taking the higher road in times of conflict and being gracious in the face of evil are important postures that I hope my children embrace and live. I am glad they felt uneasy watching the celebrations over the killing of Osama bin Laden because, in my opinion, we all should have.

This post originally appeared on my blog.

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Comments

[George Medley]

08:00 AM on 05/06/2011

Yes, absolutely I agree. While I understand the desire (maybe even need for some) to celebrate, this is not a celebration of peace or life, but death. As my wife remarked to me, "This is the kind of thing that should happen when the wars are over, we're far from done fighting in Afganastahn." Later, as we saw reports of the celebrations that occurred spontaneously, she pointedly asked "How is this any different from the videos of the celebrations of Osama Bin Laden and his followers? Is it because there's no flag burning?" Unfortunately, from my own personal view, the celebratory remarks were more from Christians, which leads me to wonder to what extent most of my Christian friends have replaced their faith with the cult of America? Don't get me wrong, I am glad to be a US citizen, but never should that trump my Christian life that calls for me to "pray for those who persecute" and to "bless and do not curse." I have often wondered, if Osama bin Laden had repented of what he had done and turned form it all, and turned himself in and, from prison, effected mass peace, would there be the same celebratory tone? Or would there instead be calls for his execution?