So, I probably don't need to recap the news, but just in case you emerged from beneath a rock and decided to read my blog before going to about any other site on the internet, it was announced to the world last night by President Obama that Osama bin Laden has been killed by U.S. forces.
There have been a lot of reactions. Even before the president had a chance to make his address, there were crowds outside the White House, waving flags and chanting "U.S.A! U.S.A!" and singing the national anthem. There's plenty of that sort of response. Others have been quick to take the nation to task over it - likening those displays to the scenes from the Middle East on 9/11 where (a very small number of people) chanted things like "Death to America!" while ululating, asking if the human and fiscal costs of the War on Terror were worth it for this moment, putting up Bible verses that exhort us not to celebrate our enemy's misfortune and to love our enemy.
And then there's me, stuck in the middle. I don't really appreciate either response, to be frank. On the one hand, the jingoism and flag-waving really IS reminiscent of the same sort of ugliness of spirit which, almost 10 years ago, were enough to lead some people to label all Muslims or Arabs as hateful people. Sure, there are some major differences to be found, but it looks like the same attitude, just wearing red, white, and blue instead of black, green, and red. I can't get on board with jubilantly celebrating somebody's death. I love my country, and I am profoundly grateful for the sense of justice that comes with this news, but I really just don't think "Osama is dead" parties are the right way to commemorate that.
On the other hand, I'm disappointed by the seeming lack of empathy among a lot of my fellow progressive Christians for those of us who, even though we know it's wrong, ARE pretty damn happy that bin Laden is dead. I certainly can't claim the same depth of emotion or connection to 9/11 that people who lost loved ones can, but I was one of the folks who had to pass several nervous days waiting to finally hear confirmation that all of my family was safe - I have an aunt and uncle who worked, at the time, in Manhattan (one at the NYSE, another Midtown), and three aunts working in the DC area (one of whom was across the river from the Pentagon). Even with a relatively mild degree of personal connection to the events of 9/11, it is VERY difficult for me not to feel a profound sense of relief, closure, and (I'll say it) happiness that the murderous fiend who came entirely too close to taking part of my family from me in the name of a hateful "God" that no sane person could believe in is dead. Frankly, even as much as I say I'd like to see all people saved in the end, I won't be too upset if bin Laden gets to go find out for the rest of us if hell is a literal place of torment or not.
I fully recognize that my feelings on this matter are not necessarily the most Christ-like. I do not love Osama bin Laden as myself, even though he is my neighbor and created in the image of the same God whose image I bear. Give me a few days to sort through my own lingering anger, hurt, and hunger for vengeance and justice, and then remind me to love my neighbor. For today, just let me be, and we can be prophetic again tomorrow.
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