“We did not choose this fight” is uttered from the lips of our leaders as we discuss the war on terrorism, and we heard it again last night.
It was a moment that will live on as we ask each other “how did you hear the news that Osama Bin Laden was dead” through the years, just like I asked my mother what she was doing when President Kennedy was killed.
The news seemed to split me apart like this rock as my emotions and reactions, each understandable on their own, have clear definitions that just can’t exist together as a whole.
I’ve recounted September 11, 2001 to my children many times. I distinctly remember the morning because as I went for my early morning jog and felt a sense of dread. At the time, I couldn’t figure out what it was coming from because the sun was shining and I had a wonderful day planned. I went to an early meeting at my daughters’ preschool and that’s when I heard the news. A panicked mother interrupted our morning drop-off chatter telling us there had been explosions at WTC and pentagon and “bombs were going off everywhere and no one knows why.” I hurried home and as more accurate information became available I wanted to talk to my husband badly. Having him in a skyscraper in a large city made me anxious.
That afternoon I watched the children at the preschool as they napped so the teachers could have their regularly scheduled meeting. Enya music played in the background as they rested and slept and I couldn’t help but think of all the children who had lost to much on this day.
So when I hear the man responsible for this is dead, I am split equally. Part of me wishes I could have been the one to pull the trigger. I know from watching my boys tussle that sometimes when you’re hit and hurt, it really does feel better to strike back. You can blame it on unenlightenment or a physical release, but the sting of the attack really is mitigated. And all of me knows that the world is a safer place without him, that victims and their families will experience peace in knowing there was some kind of justice.
But the cheering and celebration I witnessed last night are equally disturbing. Somewhere inside I am saddened. Not because he is dead, but possibly because we had to kill him and because his death marks the end of a life and influence with so much potential and yet so misspent. I equally know that he isn’t our only enemy and that peace that comes as a result of this news may be short-lived.
And so I remain split. President Obama’s words that we should all “welcome the news” resonated with me, but is there a difference between welcoming and celebrating? Maybe not. When Jesus said we should turn the other cheek, it’s hard to personalize that message with someone who did things that were truly horrific. If someone try to kill my child and I were there, I would fight them off, I would engage, and I would want to make sure they never had access again. There would be no turning of my cheek. Is it any different if that threat comes from a bigger distance and is less personal?
What’s your reaction to this news and how does religion influence it?
I justify my hesitation to celebrate in one simple quote:
“The rabbis say that, as the Israelites celebrated the death of the Egyptians, so did the angels. But God stilled them and ordered them to stop their rejoicing. ‘But why?’ the angels ask. ‘Look what they did to Your children.’ And God answered, ‘These too are My children!'”
–Harry Danziger
[Source: http://faithinmemphis.com/2011/04/19/danziger-enemies-too-suffer-in-war/%5D
I too have very mixed feelings about this. I love the image of the cleft rock. It makes a good metaphor for this situation. When I first heard the news last night (in a phone call from my son and then on TV news), my first reaction was one of shock and profound sadness. I felt the sorrow of 9/11 all over again and then felt sorrow that it had to come to a standoff in a walled compound in Pakistan. Now that more details are coming out, I find the images quite harrowing. I think that this is something that the military and the President had to do, that it was mandated by the American people, but that does not mean that it is something we should celebrate. I sincerely hope that this will help unite people, as did 9/11 itself, but I certainly do not see it as an end to anything, only the beginning of another chapter.
Great post and comments. Killing a leader seldom ends violence. Another will always take his place. It’s time to look at root causes for terrorism.
Great post. I’ve been discussing this on FB throughout the day. Some argue that it was necessary. I think I agree. He needed to be taken out.
I can think that, though, and still dislike the celebratory tone and the back-slapping and fist-bumping going on in the news and on-line. The whole thing is just sad all around.
There definitely is justification in the scriptures for defending your family. I can’t imagine Jesus not going to someone’s aid. Some might try to draw parallels with Teancum stealing into the Lamanite camp to throw a javelin into Amalickiah’s heart, killing him instantly. Amalickiah was the cause of the war, the pain, suffering, terrible loss of life. In the morning light, the Nephites didn’t throw a party, they stood ready for the next attack. This news about bin Laden, though, is much more complicated. US military took matters into their own hands on foreign soil, without real permission. Bin Laden was wanted for terrorist acts in many countries. Can the others feel closure the way we claim to be able to because of this? Maybe we’ve robbed them by not consulting anyone. We’ve even disposed of his body without consulting anyone as well!
He was definitely a thoroughly evil, twisted man, and there was no way he was going to choose to stop. He had to be forcefully stopped. He needed to be caught, tried, convicted, then executed. There were heaps of evidence, his conviction was inevitable, but still … revenge, rather than justice, was served.
I have very mixed reactions to this as well, because the fallout hasn’t even begun to happen. And I don’t think it will be gentle. I don’t feel the world is safer. With Amalickiah, Ammoron followed. I can’t shake the feeling that our Ammoron just hasn’t declared himself yet, but he will. I feel uneasy.
At the same time, though I was traumatized, sickened, and heartbroken when 9/11 happened, I wasn’t in NYC or D.C. or Pennsylvania. I don’t know anyone personally who died that day. So, I don’t fully understand the reactions I’m seeing in NYC and I try not to judge them for celebrating.
I’m trying not to judge as well, but it’s hard to see what feels like bloodthirstiness (is that a word?).
I grew up in Huntsville, Texas, which is where death row inmates are executed. The night of executions, there were often people outside the Walls Unit (that’s the name of the prison unit where they are executed), partying and singing–as if they were tailgating at a sporting event. It always seemed wrong to me–even if the person being executed had done something terrible. I know that in some cases, the victims of terrible crimes and their families feel that such a death brings them necessary closure. I don’t fault them for that. I haven’t walked a mile in their shoes. But the celebrating still unsettles me.
My husband and I learned the news yesterday morning. I was living in Pennsylvania when 9/11 happened (albeit, not where the plane crashed) and the sadness and fear of that time will never leave me. I met the news of Bin Laden’s death with an odd sense of relief, but I said to my husband, half-jokingly, that I thought this was necessary, but not a time for “U.S.A.! U.S.A.!” Seconds later, the BBC cut to some footage of Americans chanting, “U.S.A.!U.S.A.!” It made me uneasy, it is too reminiscent of the footage we see from other countries where our flag and effigies of our leaders are being burned.
I can’t imagine Jesus harming anyone. Yes, the scriptures have examples of it – they are books written, translated, and edited by human men. I believe them to be metaphorical more than historical, by far.
But the avatar of Jesus – is an avatar of peace. He taught about turning the other cheek, loving your enemies, and forgive others. It bothers me when Christians use the Bible to justify peace and ignore the core message that Jesus taught. I just don’t understand it.
Laurie – I so want you to expound on this because it’s what is causing me to split apart, and that’s the part where you harm someone to protect someone else. Do you think Jesus wouldn’t do this? I know you can’t hear my tone here, but really I’m asking not insinuating.
Additionally, there are passive forms of harm. How do you feel about those?
As the day continued, I read a lot more, and still felt conflicted.
I think Course Correction has a point that there’s always someone to step in for a violent leader, although I must say I hope that the successor here is not as successful.
Michelle – I’m not sure I understand the difference between revenge and justice? Who’s permission were we supposed to get?
I also believe somewhere deep down that it had to be done. But part of me wonders if I applied the same reasoning to other crimes whether I’d agree with these tactics. The movie “Dead Man Walking” was profound to me about how violent killing is, even planned killing that could be considered justice against someone who admittedly did some horrific things.
Interestingly enough, it doesn’t seem that the victims are the ones who celebrate as a general rule, even when they find the death of the offender to offer closure and solace, there’s a solemnity among them. Was that true for Huntsville, Heather?
I’d say so, Mel. The people celebrating were most often NOT the victims’ families. They were typically sad and solemn and somber if they were present (and they typically are allowed to view the execution if they want to).
Re: Dead Man Walking–yes. Wow. Such a powerful movie. I have the book at home, but haven’t read it yet.
I felt similarly about a year ago when I went to the prison museum in Huntsville. I had never been there before, even though I’d lived there my entire life and my parents still live there. I knew that “Old Sparky” (the electric chair) was on display, but it always seemed creepy. We went–and took the kids. Wow. The whole experience was just bizarre. The prison is run by a private organization and it was like a pro-Texas prison system thing. There’s a video that you watch when you first go in that is propaganda–it’s all about what a great system it is. As I watched it, I felt like I was on another planet. And yes, you see Old Sparky. You can see what an actual cell looks like. You can see examples of all sorts of artwork the prisoners have done with what little they have–a whole chessboard made out of bits of soap that a prisoner had hoarded . . .
That experience really solidified the idea in my mind that even if we, as a country, decide that we need/want capital punishment, it’s not something we should revel in. It’s a sad, ugly part of our world.
(Sorry for the threadjack. I can’t help but think about my experiences growing up as I watch all this bin Laden stuff.)
I guess where I politically cringe a bit (and the feeling about needing to get permission from or dialogue with others) is that bin Laden wasn’t on our soil. He was in Pakistan. Would we welcome a smooth sting operation that Mexican SEALs pulled off on American soil, to capture a wanted Canadian, for example? I don’t know about that. It’s definitely true that bin Laden needed to be stopped. And our military and special forces have been on this for almost a decade. Yes, someone needed to get this done, stop him somehow. But, I still feel uneasy with that aspect of this all went down. We’re not the only ones he terrorized. Could this lead to more political strain with Pakistan or other Middle Eastern countries that already perceive America as being arrogant and barging in all the time? I’m really curious to read more reactions from people in other countries. I’d like to hear more about that.
I know it’s kinda annoying to post links, but this article fits so well into this discussion, I can’t resist:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/05/03/glick.reaction.bin.laden/index.html?hpt=T2