“Is It OK To Cheer Bin Laden’s Death?” was the headline on USA Today a few days ago as I glanced at the newspaper dispenser on campus. Granted, Bin Laden was unquestionably an evil man, the direct cause of suffering and pain. However, can you see Jesus celebrating the death of another human being? How about Mohammad or Buddha?
I find it abhorrent that we can celebrate death, even if we killed our number one enemy. Although he was tragically misguided, bin Laden was fighting for his convictions and way of life. He witnessed American and Israeli military operations that killed his relatives without a second thought.
“What if we responded in reverent prayer and quiet introspection instead of patriotic frenzy?”, wondered Christian ethicist Diana Bass. “That would be truly American exceptionalism.”
I can understand the natural human inclination to express relief and joy over the death of such a wicked enemy intent on murdering Americans. But did we really endure and uphold righteousness by killing? The concept seems backwards to me.
From a strategist’s point of view, this death has demoralized Al-Qaeda, but the terrorist cell is far from dead. My Pakistani acquaintances have told me that bin Laden was quickly losing control of the loosely affiliated Al-Qaeda. Terrorism is very much alive despite bin Laden’s death. Sadly, it will be used again to kill innocent people.
When I heard the news of bin Laden’s death, I tried to place myself in the shoes of those who found themselves in New York City on September 11, 2001. Panic, chaos, confusion, and people jumping out of burning buildings. I was in fifth grade at the time, and the events seemed too tragic to ever occur on American soil. In addition to the physical injuries and deaths, America was injured. I am grateful bin Laden, the man responsible for that atrocity, is dead, but I will not celebrate the death of another human being.
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