"And in the naked light I saw
ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking.
People hearing without listening.
People writing songs that voices never shared.
And no one dared
disturb the sound of silence."
ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking.
People hearing without listening.
People writing songs that voices never shared.
And no one dared
disturb the sound of silence."
These are lyrics to a Simon and Garfunkel song (some of my favorite artists ever) and one line from this song has been running through my mind the last 24 hours: "People talking without speaking."
I don't usually use this blog as a venue to post my own opinions but I have been so bothered by the American response to Bin Laden's death that I feel I need to put my thoughts somewhere.
I must start by saying that I am grateful beyond words for the bravery of the Navy Seals who executed the mission to take down Bin Laden. What those soldiers (and all those who give their lives for public safety) did is nothing short of heroic and they deserve the respect of every man, woman, and child.
While the seals should be praised I don't believe that the American people are to be praised. The celebrating over the death of anyone seems to be in bad taste. Now, I know that I am coming at this from a Christian worldview, but all I can think about is the moment Bid Laden died which would be the same moment he stood before the living God. And, possibly, it was also the moment he descended into hell to begin his eternal torment for rejecting God. I cannot bring myself to celebrate a man entering hell. I think that the partying in the streets is distasteful and only brings us to the same level as the terrorists themselves who probably partied in response to 9-11.
I am relieved that the threat level to our national safety was lowered by the event of Bin Laden's death. At the same time, I am grieved that this man will spend eternity separated from God. I think our point of celebration would have been more impactful if it had been delivered in silence and then everyone could hear our strength without having to listen.
I don't usually use this blog as a venue to post my own opinions but I have been so bothered by the American response to Bin Laden's death that I feel I need to put my thoughts somewhere.
I must start by saying that I am grateful beyond words for the bravery of the Navy Seals who executed the mission to take down Bin Laden. What those soldiers (and all those who give their lives for public safety) did is nothing short of heroic and they deserve the respect of every man, woman, and child.
While the seals should be praised I don't believe that the American people are to be praised. The celebrating over the death of anyone seems to be in bad taste. Now, I know that I am coming at this from a Christian worldview, but all I can think about is the moment Bid Laden died which would be the same moment he stood before the living God. And, possibly, it was also the moment he descended into hell to begin his eternal torment for rejecting God. I cannot bring myself to celebrate a man entering hell. I think that the partying in the streets is distasteful and only brings us to the same level as the terrorists themselves who probably partied in response to 9-11.
I am relieved that the threat level to our national safety was lowered by the event of Bin Laden's death. At the same time, I am grieved that this man will spend eternity separated from God. I think our point of celebration would have been more impactful if it had been delivered in silence and then everyone could hear our strength without having to listen.
"People talking without speaking.
People hearing without listening."
People hearing without listening."
I, myself, do not take joy from his death, but I know those who do and I choose not to begrudge them their response. The second I start to question their celebration, I have but to think of all the families of those killed in the 9/11 attack, how many people lost their husbands, their children, their parents to this monster. And then what if it had been my husband? My children? Would I be glad for his death? Would I celebrate that justice was finally done? Would I be joyous that I could sleep easier knowing that my loved one's killer was finally no longer a threat? Probably. So then I come back to the fundamental question: who am I to judge their response to this profound and momentous event? We all perceive and react in our own way, based on our own experiences.
ReplyDeleteSometimes good things come out of conquering the evil ones. Exodus 14:31 says that "when the Israelites saw the great power of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant." And then, in chapter 15 Miriam and Moses led the Israelites in a dance and song of praise for hurling the horse and riders into the Red Sea. Sometimes it's ok to celebrate good defeating evil. Let's just use these times to praise God for defeating the Evil One.
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