Unity (blog)

My concern was that I might seem un-American. 

I don't usually watch news shows or let my children watch them. I prefer to read the news and research the topics that interest me. I find what passes for journalism these days difficult to stomach and take everything I hear as somewhat informed opinion, if that. Truth is in the eye of the beholder.

But, I used to watch the news every morning. It was my birthday when, carrying my infant son in my arms, I walked downstairs just in time to see live footage of the second plane flying into the towers. When I looked at him this morning it hit me that we've been at war nearly his entire life. 

The reporters were showing crowds of people screaming, "USA, USA!" and I looked at my son and said, "This isn't a football game. These are people's lives." He asked, "That guy was the head of the terrorists. They are the bad guys, right?" I answered, "That's the way we see it." He asked, "Are we the bad guys to them?" 

Yes. We are. 

I was concerned that I might seem un-American for not cheering at his death. But, I did not feel joy at the news of the assassination. It's hard to explain what I felt. At best, it was a sense of gratitude that at least some part of this was over. But, it's not really over. The hatred that fueled Osama Bin Laden still exists. It's in our country as much as in any other. It lives among us and among those that rail against us.  

I want my children to respect life because, no matter how far back you take it, it was the lack of respect for human life that started this war. But, in my heart, that means respect for all life. To turn the tide we have to consider not just the lives of the young and innocent but the lives of the hateful and even criminal. It's not a joy that someone should die in order to solve the problem that their beliefs cause for others. Have we been so long at war that we've forgotten that war is not to be glorified and violence not to be celebrated? 

Justice was served. But, we didn't score a point. We didn't win the game. We've lost so very, very much. From brave men and women who served to protect us to innocent people caught in the crossfire to those who were taught and convinced that we were their enemy and those who see our fear and hatred and respond in kind. We've lost them.

I know this may be hard for some to understand. I was afraid that no one would feel the same way I did. The headlines being repeated on the news were "Osama, rot in hell!" But, hell is a war we are left with. And, some blurb about finally getting revenge. Revenge? All revenge does is insure that we'll have more of the same.

Yet, I am grateful. I'm so very grateful for the people who continue to protect us and grateful for the friends who surrounded me this morning. Sometimes, my views are so contrary to others opinions that I think I'm alone. But, I'm not. 

So, thanks to Megan for sharing what comforted her:

‎"As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live." Ezekiel 33:11

 

Thanks, to Steve for sharing this: 

http://theresurgence.com/2011/05/02/love-your-enemies

 

Thanks, to Chris for his tweets calling for a more dignified public response from our people. 

Their sharing of their faith with me has taught me that Christianity is not always what some, who have used it to justify their fear and hatred, have made it out to be. My hope is that we can all move forward and consider that Islam is not what Osama Bin Laden made it out to be. 

 

 

 

 

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