The news that Osama bin Laden is dead has produced images of celebration and dancing in the streets, much as did the tragic events of 9-11 among radical Islamists. I have a problem with that for two reasons.
First, though I readily admit that bin Laden's demise is both a military and a psychological victory, it is as any death of an unsaved human being a tragedy. Barring some end-of-life miracle of God's mercy (mercy which we ALL need!), the man has stepped into a horrible eternity. Though we may feel that he deserves it, we must never forget that apart from the death of Christ, we all deserve the same.
Second, as I learned in my research and writing of People of the Book, the heartbreaking treatment of women, particularly Christian women, in the Saudi kingdom and other Muslim nations, will not cease as a result of bin Laden's death, nor will radical Muslims who are dedicated to wiping out Israel and Western civilization stop their ongoing attempts to strike at the heart of what they view as their enemy.
Muslims are no different than the rest of us. They too have been made in the image of God, and they too need a Savior. And as we who have met and received our Savior know so well, "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we MUST be saved." May the passing of Osama bin Laden renew our commitment and passion to pray for all people everywhere--Muslim or otherwise--who have yet to accept the priceless gift of God's only Son!
You said just what I have been feeling. I know he was an evil man, very mislead. In some way celebrating the death of a person seems very sad. I understand why, know of all the deaths that he claimed credit for....but we know he wasn't saved.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathi
Kathi, my heart has been heavy also that Osama didn't/wouldn't repent. I cannot 'rejoice' over his death because of that fact. Nor do I think things will change in that part of the world because of his death. I really wanted to say something on FB, but wasn't sure how it would be taken. Thanks for the open forum here.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading People of the Book, my heart still aches over the results of those who turn to Christ. Yes, they go to a totally better place, but your story still 'haunts' my life. Thank you for writing and opening my heart.
Well said, Kathi. I too have felt uncomfortable watching the crowds celebrate the death of bin Laden. Whatever your faith beliefs, rejoicing in one man's death seems unfitting. The celebrations that come at the end of a war are different. There we celebrate the return of troops from the battlefield, we celebrate peace, we celebrate in hope of a better future. The death of bin Laden is none of those things. I fear these celebrations represent revenge and hatred. Perhaps gathering for prayers, asking for peace in our hearts and in our world would be more appropriate.
ReplyDeleteThank you for injecting some sanity into the situation. Peace is what is needed, and it has to come from God within people's hearts.
ReplyDeleteSo very well stated, Kathi.
ReplyDeleteBrilliantly written, Kathi! Well said!
ReplyDeleteYes, well said. I'll be linking to this post for sure. I watched Obama make the announcement last night and was disturbed for the reasons you've stated, Kathi. May we all be sobered to prayer for the Muslim people abroad and in our own backyards. Marcia
ReplyDeleteYou stated it perfectly. This should jog us to pray for all of them. Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteKathi, Thank you for expressing what we all should be feeling at this point. We have been forgiven our sins, just as we should pray that others come to the saving faith that will forgive theirs. When I speak on forgiveness, I end with this definition:
ReplyDeleteForgiveness is being able to see the offense for what it was, the offender for his/her part in it, and then see that offender through the eyes of God as a beloved child who has strayed, whom you want desperately to bring back into the fold.
I believe it was Billy Sunday who was famous for saying something like, "When we preach about hell, we'd better at least have tears in our eyes."
ReplyDeleteSo true Kathi. We are called to love Muslim people and win them to Christ through that love. I too feel a great ache for those women in countries all over the world who suffer abuse. Every day I thank God for the emancipation Christ gave me through His sacrificial death on the cross for me. I want this so much for Muslim people.
ReplyDeleteKathi, thank you for your thoughtful, balanced thoughts. With all the research you've done you are certainly in a position to know. My instinctive reaction to the news was to feel that the world is a little safer. I pray that's true.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathi. I agree that it is never appropriate for Christians to rejoice over a death, although as Donna said, we may well breath a sign of relief. It is a tragedy that so many have been driven to believe they have no alternative to violence. May we in the West not be guilty of cultural pride and triumphalism at this point in history.
ReplyDeleteThis whole incident has moved my heart for the plight of Muslim women. Especially those trapped under Sharia Law. We have a radical leader here in Australia who boasts "There are too many of us now, and we will take over and impose Sharia on you." Dreadful thought. Just like Satan to enslave people, where Jesus sets them free!
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