Left a little staggered and, I admit it, somewhat grieved, by the bloodthirsty embrace of the news that an old and nasty enemy has been slaughtered. How does this work? It's not okay to be violent towards your kids, or your aged parents, or opposing political parties (no matter how much a good thrashing seems like a good idea) and yet it's okay to torture and destroy like a rabid dog those who have terrorised us (albeit from a sincere held view that this is a noble religious deed). Tonight on the news it looked like a summary execution in the so-called field of battle and seemed to be justified as such. Shame on us for enjoying it! Shame on us for finding a way to justify any kind of killing! Shame on us who enjoy the benefits of the once-for-all violent death of our Saving God for seeking the destruction of another life to satisfy our angry blood-lust!
How far have we really come? Are we all that civilised after all? Are we any better than the regal savages of England's crown who once used the beautiful Tower as a symbol of horrific consequences for any boat rocker? I remember as a teenager being disgusted at the horrendous torture visited upon the victims of Nazi Germany's race-hatred and more recently the unrestrained injustices visited upon the suffering believers of China; we universally deplored such behaviour, and perhaps naively imagined our side would never do such a thing.
Are we now proven to be poor deluded saps for believing that a nation supposedly carrying the banner for Christian faith should find in it's corrupted, vengeful heart reason why they can flout all that is civil and peace-loving and grace-displaying.
Come Lord Jesus - awaken salutary shame and humble repentance in our hearts that would so readily return to war to assert the fitness of our ways and our culture.
2 comments:
The reality is that so much of what has happened is politically motivated - and seems to be feed by the desire for revenge in the guise of justice. Personally I do believe Osama bin Laden had to be brought to justice and held accountable for his crimes - I don't believe this has happened.
The scenes of jubilation have especially sickened me - I can understand satisfaction that he had been stopped, but celebration at the death of another human is not something I celebrate. Maybe I'd feel differently if it was a child of mine that Osama had murdered - I honestly don't know, but I do know that even if I did feel like getting him back and dancing on his grave that would not make it right.
thanks Ian.
I keep thinking, how come they didn't capture him rather than execute him?
Pete
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