Best served cold?
What an interesting day yesterday was with announcement of the death of Osama bin Laden. Mostly I was saddened.
Saddened that it was seen as a cause for celebration by Americans who flocked to ground-zero chanting USA, USA. I thought for a moment I had been transported to an Islamic fanatic rally
Saddened that while President Obama (who I like) held back from jingoistic sabre rattling, he did view the death of bin Laden as "justice"...I get it, but there was no trial I am aware of...
Saddened by the media circus that will once again pimp human tragedy as a means of selling its viewing audience to advertisers
Saddened that a man of such promise would elect a path of such destruction - what does that to a human life?
Saddened for the people - of so many backgrounds, including Moslem, who have been killed by Al Quaeda
Saddened for the backlash that will demonstrate the insane spiral that is revenge, even revenge served cold...
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12
4 comments:
I felt this way too, and when I saw the ecstatic crowds in the streets waving flags and chanting ,"USA," I too was reminded of similar rallies you often see broadcast from Palestine, Pakistan and other places.
It's sad that even in the most Christianised place on earth, verses like those you've posted are either conveniently ignored, or "trumped" by arguments like, "He was so evil!" or "You don't know how families suffered after 9/11."
I had to switch off Twitter yesterday so that I didn't post something in anger :-).
"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that" Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!" Ezekiel 18:32
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles. Proverbs 24:17
Interestingly MLK never said the first sentence...he did write the last part. The sentiment is solid nonetheless...
The Bible is still not a hoax though..
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