A Christian Response to the Killing of Osama Bin Laden

Along with many other Christians, I heard and received the news of the killing of al Quaeda leader Osama bin Laden by American special forces troups with a complex mix of feelings and thoughts.

First there was a sense of relief that the evil leader of the world's most murderous terrorist group (if you don't count the Third Reich) had been removed from society.  But my sense of relief was very short-lived.

The use of violence against violence is repugnant to me as a Christian.  At no time did Christ respond to the violence around him with violence.  He scolded and repudiated the disciple who acted with violence to defend him at his own arrest.

That violence begets violence was preached by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the use of non-violent methods was the earmark in all his work to obtain civil liberties for the whole world. His methods came from the study of Mahatma Gandhi who said "an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind."

Did we need to kill this man? Could he have been brought before the world court for crimes against humanity?  Could his organization al Quaeda be sought out and those responsible for ordering mass murder and assissination, for training children in violence, and for perpetrating hate in the name of God be taken into custody and treated like the criminals they are?

The state of Illinois recently instituted a ban on the death penalty. Where is the thinking of our national government that only military action and killing can reduce further violence in the world?

I pray for our country. I pray for all Muslims everywhere who have been damned by association with al Quaeda. I pray that God will help us all see another way, a different world, where violence does not beget violence and where we all come together to work against evil intent. I pray that all religious fanaticism be seen for what it is--a misuse of God's goodness for the purpose of evil.