{I wrote this post Monday morning and added to it throughout the day. I was all fired up to post it, then felt weird posting it. Then after reading Amy’s post and her desire to chronicle her feelings, I decided to do the same.}
I feel this same way. {source: white house}
Becky loves to send me text messages. Everything from “Did you watch Big Bang last night?” to “I just found a possum in my trashcan at school.” (True story.) But this morning I checked my phone and saw, “Osama bin Laden is dead.”
Who knew I could be so affected by those words?
I don’t think of September 11 every day. Probably not every week. Or even every month. But when I do see the images? And remember the terror (very real, literal and present terror) I am overcome. Last week I saw Eric Draper, White House photographer interviewed. He shared pictures from 9/11 and tears immediately came to my eyes. Because in that one day, all of the United States was united. We, like George W Bush were saying to New York City, “I hear you!”
So, to hear that the mastermind of the September 11 attacks was dead–I was emotional. In fact a bevy of emotions…
Pride: People rushed to the White House and were chanting, “U-S-A!” while taxi cab drivers honked their horns to the beat. I love that camaraderie and patriotism. It’s something we haven’t had since 9/11! I got teary-eyed thinking about the people around the country who were hearing the news and rejoicing because bin Laden’s death kind of signals a chapter closing in one of the most horrific events in our country.
Admiration: As I read an article (the only one I read, all the news I got was from twitter & facebook) about the play-by-play of what went down yesterday, I could just imagine the Navy Seals that were DOING THEIR JOB. It doesn’t matter if they agreed with what they were doing, if they were Christians or Muslims, if they were scared, if they had voted for Obama or George W–they had to do their job. And they did it. And they will never be publicly honored for it. I wonder what those men are doing now? Do their families even know?
Shock: Obama ordered an attack on Osama bin Laden? He said, “justice has been served”? So, it’s justice put a bullet in someone’s head? Isn’t that revenge? What happened to standing trial for your crimes? I mean, I’m glad the man’s dead. But, I dunno, maybe it shows my ignorance, I thought Obama would be “above” that.
Anger: What kind of world do we live in? Who hides in a shelter and uses a woman as a human shield? Who masterminds attacks on entire countries! How can there be people so dangerous we have to send secret black ops into get them?
Fascination: Did you know twitter broke the news before the speech? Before the news stations? Some people in Pakistan were tweeting the entire event not knowing Osama was involved. How small has our world become?!
***
I wrote this post in my closet this morning. I’ll admit I was hiding from my kids because I wanted to finish it but didn’t really want to tell them what it was all about. And since then I’ve been reading lots of posts from Christian bloggers who are upset at the jubilation they’ve seen as people are updating facebook and twitter with things like, “Thank God, Osama is dead”. And even more cavalier statements.
And these posts ruined mine. I was feeling patriotic and happy. And now? I’m irritated. Not at the idiots who write nonsensical things about Osama. But the other people who feel it’s necessary to write an entire blog post reprimanding them. If you don’t want to celebrate, then don’t. If you are a pacifist, then don’t vote. That’s right—governments make war. The USA takes peace by force. Why does this surprise us?
Christianity does not equal patriotism. Nor does Christianity equal America.
I might throw a red-white-and-blue party tonight. Not because I think it’s a good idea to do some vigilante style law enforcement. But because as an American, I saw closure happen for many people affected by September 11th. I saw our government do something that was 10 years in the making.
As a Christian, I do not rejoice that a man died separated from God. But I mourned for him before he was dead. I mourn for people around the globe that don’t know Jesus.
There is no right and wrong answer to our response here. In fact, I think we’re in a quandary. We are in fact double-minded and an emotional oxymoron. We should be happy when evil is eliminated. We should be sad for those who do not know Christ. But we should not be majoring on the minors and aiming our own weapons at people not as articulate as we.
{And feel free to tell me in the comments if this post was just as bad as the other posts.}
{Not sure if I should post this or not. Contemplating it’s awesomeness.}
***
Finally found a facebook status I agree with…
Killing one man does not destroy Evil in the world. But there was One Man who, in His own death, triumphed over Evil. And He shall reign!
***
So, how did the news of Osama bin Laden’s death affect you?
Thank you for posting. You said it much more clear than I was able to. I think it comes down to this statement: “We are in fact double-minded and an emotional oxymoron.” For me I’m realizing I usually feel so strongly about a topic and it feels weird not to have an answer for ourselves or others.
I wonder, too if it has to do with it being 10 years later. Like wow, suddenly we’re back to 9/11?
What a great post! I absolutely agree with you on all counts! It was amazing to hear that bin Laden was dead after all this time but yes, still sad that he made the decision to reject Christ. However, he did make that decision and he does have to live (or die) with those consequences.
I must say that the fb quote that you have at the end is fabulous! (I think I might have to share it!)
Thanks again for sharing!
I know, it’s a great quote!
I had decided not to read or post anymore on this topic, as the divisiveness and judgmental attitudes were causing too much stress. I agree, we are double-minded in our emotions and everyone’s processing differently. it breaks my heart when we attack each other rather than recognizing the enemy. Why do we do that? As Christians, we should understand that is just as bad or worse than whatever “sin” we’re upset over.
I’m glad I decided to pop over and read despite mysef and I’m glad you decided to post.l
You said it–divisive, judgmental & attacking each other and not recognizing the enemy! Perfect insight!
Thank you Amanda. This was so similar to my emotions, and I was seeing so much that I had a hard time reading – you said everything I would have!
I’m glad you posted. I wrote a whole post Sunday night, but then didn’t publish it. Like you, I was torn.
It’s a hard topic to discuss. Rejoicing over death? Or shaming those who are relieved? It’s a grey subject that people want to make black and white.
As a humanitarian, I would have wanted to see Osama brought before trial. But, war is war and I have to be realistic. Who knows what would have happened had our military tried to capture them. And I want to believe they did what they felt was their only choice.
As a Christian, I want to grieve the loss of a person who didn’t know Christ as Savior. And I hope it lights a fire in me to pray. Pray for my neighbors. Pray for my state. My country. And my world. Pray that Christ is revealed to the people who live in this dark world. We are at war. But it’s not a war over country lines, human freedom or religious rights. It’s a war whose wages are paid throughout eternity. And that’s one battle I don’t want to lose.
Absolutely, Sarah! Tragedies (or horrific events) should incite us to PRAY and to DO!
GREAT POST.
I share your feelings and thoughts to the very last word.
You did a wonderful job expressing how you feel regarding the tragedies that occur as a result of sin. From 9/11 to “justice”. We as Christians have lots to mourn. We as Americans have much to be proud of. And the battle between pride and sorrow is exhausting.
Loved your facebook quote! I thought Martin Luther King Jr encapsulated how I was feeling, too: ?”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” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
{did you see this about the MLK jr quote? http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/05/anatomy-of-a-fake-quotation/238257/ }
I think we are on the same page. It took me forever to write a post about it (http://faithlikemustard.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/should-i-be-sad-that-osama-bin-laden-is-dead/) and I’m still not sure I said everything that was floating around in my head. I felt very divided: the Christian mourned but the American felt relieved (even though I know this is not the end of terrorism).
Amanda – you did a great job of explaining what I know many of us are thinking. I was also torn this week – I don’t think I can put all the various thoughts and emotions into words so bravo to you for doing this!
And your last statement from a Facebook post was spot on – thank you for sharing!
Amanda, I think your words were very concise and you did a fantastic job of even expounding on what I was trying to communicate yesterday. I think we are all still in the process of determining where we land on the topic, and for a lot of us, we may never truly land on one side or another. But that is where grace comes in, I guess. And the fact that we don’t and can’t know all of the answers. There’s a little comfort in knowing that maybe we aren’t supposed to.
I am glad you chose to share.
I am so glad you did decide to post after yesterday. I think that it is awesomeness. The only thing I ranted about was the people that I know on my facebook that were reprimanding everyone else for their “proviolence” reactions. These are the same people that watch Quentin Tarantino movies. I don’t understand how our value systems can differ so drastically with what we find pleasure in when we sit on our can and stare at a screen vs what we preach when we run our mouths the rest of the time. Leave it to me to come out of left field with a totally different controversy. Oh well.
You’re right, Natalie! I am right with you! I’m telling you I was more upset at the Christian bloggers yesterday than the people posting obscenities about bin Laden!
wonderful post, amanda.
i felt weird – i felt strange being happy that someone was dead. yet he was such a dangerous person. and as for justice — he met his maker. and will have to answer to HIM. not me, not Obama. But God Himself. osama is now in the hands of the perfect judge.
that i can take comfort in.
Great post! Yes, I’ve had similar conflicted emotions about celebrating a killing. It didn’t have to go down this way, bin Laden didn’t have to use someone as a human shield, he could have knelt down and been handcuffed and gone to trial. That was his call (and, as usual, he chose the coward’s way). Either way, he was a dangerous man and I’m ecstatic that he’s out of commission.
When my brother texted me “Bin Laden is dead” I was like “huh?” And then I told my husband and he was like “Yay!” I have to admit my first reaction wasn’t one of relief it was of fear. Like now what? Will they retaliate? I’m totally glad the man is not around to hurt people anymore. I don’t celebrate his death but we can celebrate the fact that he’s not a threat.
I agree with the thought that if this had happened sooner nobody would be questioning how people are reacting.
I was one of the ones that didn’t like all the cheering & chanting going on. :o( I posted about it as well. http://asinglemomsjourney.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/thoughts/
My post isn’t as elaborate as others, just a small portion of what I was thinking, but the reason I was against the cheering & ranting was because it brought me back to 9/11 when the Iraqi’s & Pakistani’s were chanting & cheering through our pain.
I wish this had been handled a lot different than it was, but I’m glad they got him. I just still worry about what’s going to happen to the US again.
I, also, took a day before I posted. The cheering and chanting made me feel weird and uncomfortable, yet the Christians immediately lecturing everyone over Facebook rubbed me the wrong way, too. I was ambivalent (hence the name of my post)–I wanted to cheer, but I didn’t want to cheer; I was happy bin Laden was dead, and I was sad a soul who mattered to God was lost. Honestly, I really couldn’t reconcile my feelings. What a complicated issue and part of our history!
I have been wrestling with this all week. I have a post in draft right now that I don’t know if I want to publish. I wish I felt conflicted by being an American and being a Christian – but that’s not where it lies. Nothing about Christ tells us to move towards anything but peace. Nothing.
I was so incredibly proud of the Navy Seals, that was my first thought. I was proud of our country until I saw people celebrating. It didn’t make me angry, it just made me – uncomfortable. But if I had been somewhere in public, and not at home watching the news, I probably would have gotten into it too. Not as a celebration of death – but out of patriotism. It’s so confusing.
I was angry with Obama not because he took credit, but because killing Bin Laden doesn’t change anything and he knows it. There will not be more peace, or less terrorists, or more oil, or more jobs. But it will be a great campaign commercial.
I vote in every election. I can’t separate being a pacifist from being pro life. I’m not trying to make a political statement; that’s my own understanding of Christ’s message of peace. I’m not even disagreeing with you. I don’t know what it all means either.
I hear you! I stay away from politics for this very reason. It makes me so irate and I see so little of actual change and action. I always go back to, “Some trust in chariots, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Trusting that our government is going to do something right and perfect (and moral!) is pointless. It just is.
Anywhoo. I’m with you—I don’t know what it all means! 🙂
So many ppl experienced so many different things with this news. It’s so hard to think that anyone would rejoice in the death of someone, but at the same time, this person was responsible for the deaths of so many others…. And death may not be the justice that some wanted, but for the safety of our Navy SEALS it was the only option. It happens the same way with criminals here in the US. If a person resists arrest, or is armed, they can expect more forceful action on the part of law enforcement.
I know that it’s not very Christian of me, but I am glad Osama Bin Laden is dead. I am glad that the man who took so many lives on 9/11 (bc even tho he wasn’t on those planes they were his actions that put it into motion) is dead. Terrorism is far from over, but this is one less person that our world now has to worry about.
Honestly, the ppl that make me the most mad about all of this are the conspiracy theorists. Saying that Bush was responsible for 9/11, and it was US military planes that crashed into the towers. PLEASE. That doesn’t even make any sense.
I hope and pray every day that our soldiers come home safe from these wars, and the countries torn apart by them can b put back together. Osama Bin Laden is responsible for all of this.