This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Responding to an Enemy

Is being relieved or happy that someone is dead necessarily the same as celebrating their death?

Since the killing of Osama bin Laden Sunday night, I have been reading a lot of different perspectives and listening to the commentary.  I wonder, is being relieved/glad/happy that someone is dead, necessarily the same as celebrating their death?

I appreciated the tone of President Obama's announcement Sunday night.  It was dignified, lacking the "bring em on" bravado and chest thumping that has crept into so much of the coverage, and political discourse at times since September 11.

I’ve been reflecting, as have many others, on what my response as a Christian should be to this killing.  My thinking on this is taking shape along these lines.  As a Christian, I can be glad that Bin Laden is dead (I'd have rather seen him captured and brought to justice, but that was not possible according to reports) because now he can’t carry out further acts of violence.

Find out what's happening in Mount Vernonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

I am grateful for the bravery of the Navy Seals who carried out this dangerous mission, and I hold in prayer the soldier who fired the shot that took a life and will forever carry that experience with him, for better or worse.  I can be thankful for our political leaders who acted judiciously and correctly in this situation, and yes, honorably given the limitations of the circumstances.

What I can not do is take to the streets in celebration.  There has been too much blood spilled, too many innocent lives lost.  Celebrating at a time like this dishonors and denies each of those lives and the common bond of humanity we share just as callously as any terrorist act.

Find out what's happening in Mount Vernonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

My prayer is that humanity and decency triumph now, finally.  Let compassion seize the day.  This, I believe, is a Christian response and this, I have no doubt, is how terrorists are ultimately defeated and destroyed.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Mount Vernon