Heath Haussamen
“Trying to keep in mind that how I respond to the death of my enemies says as much about me as it does about my enemies,” Christian author Rachel Held Evans posted on Twitter Sunday evening.
It’s a point worth remembering. As I’m writing this, many Americans are literally taking to the streets to celebrate the death of Osama bin Laden. There’s also plenty of celebration on the Internet.
“If your [sic] not drinking and partying tonight you are a terrorist,” one person wrote on Facebook.
But when I view the images of people celebrating at Ground Zero, in Times Square, outside the White House and elsewhere, I can’t help but wonder what the rest of the world will think of an America that raises a glass and jumps for joy when someone is killed – even if that someone is the most notorious terrorist in the world.
Are we really a society that revels in getting revenge against those who do us harm? I suspect many in the Arab world will interpret American celebration that way.
I’m not celebrating. I relate more to the sentiments of World Trade Center survivor Harry Waizer, who was quoted today by The New York Times:
“If this means there is one less death in the future, then I’m glad for that. But I just can’t find it in me to be glad one more person is dead, even if it is Osama bin Laden.”
I’m thankful for U.S. forces that accomplished a necessary mission. I believe the world is safer without Osama bin Laden in it. But you’re not going to see me jumping for joy over the death of anyone.
A sigh of relief, yes. But not a celebration.