Clearly this is good news to the American people. There has been a bitter taste of vulnerability since the bombing of the Twin Towers in New York. At least the USA can lay claim to the adage that the US marshall "always gets his man". But does this make the world a safer place?
I think not.
Bin Laden was just a symbol for a much larger emotion: while his methods are reprehensible, and his suggestion that God blessed his violence is blasphemy, he tapped into a sentiment that has deep resonance: there are many who cheer for the one who resists the American domination of our world.
American interests have fuelled wars in South America, Africa, and the Middle East. For many people America has been experienced as the unpopular policeman of the world. And for many, America has come to represent the Christian voice against Islam.
So when American people dance for joy in the streets at the news of bin Laden's death - this only fuels further anti-American sentiment. The words of Mary Auker Edwards are worth noting:
"Killing one man doesn't end terrorism. Fair and equitable dealings around the world ends terrorism. What a horrific and barbaric country we are to glory in a dead body...."
Let us pray for God's just peace for our world.
Sent via my BlackBerry
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“I’m concerned about a better world. I’m concerned about justice; I’m concerned about brotherhood; I’m concerned about truth. And when one is concerned about that, he can never advocate violence. For through violence you may murder a murderer, but you can’t murder murder. Through violence you may murder a liar, but you can’t establish truth. Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can’t murder hate through violence. Darkness cannot put out darkness; only light can do that.”
Rev Dr. Martin Luther King August 16, 1967
This (entitled 'Seeing Bin Laden through Easter eyes') from a friend who remembers "a Sunday morning in church (pre-ministry) in a place where I thought the pastor was pretty much a wuss. It was the time when the Russians shot down the Japanese airliner and emotions were running high. This fellow stood at the Table and simply said, "I know folks are angry; I know folks are using vindictive, hateful words; I know folks want us to go in and take revenge for these deaths, this terrible act. But dear friends, we Christians are not to go down those paths, we are not to use such words, we are not to desire such things. We are called to a different life, and this is where we decide if we will answer that call, to that different life.""
Yes we still can...
Peace,
Adrian
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