A Joyful Celebration (of Killing?)
Joyfully celebrating the killing of a killer who joyfully celebrated killing carries an irony that I hope will not be lost on us. Are we learning anything, or simply spinning harder in the cycle of violence?
The quote above comes from Brian McLaren’s initial reaction to the news of Osama Bin Laden’s death. I don’t really have much to add to this statement except that it should be obvious to all of us by now (especially Christians) that the way to defeat evil is not with more evil but with love. It’s what Jesus did/does, it’s what we should do too. Osama Bin Laden is certainly someone who seemed to celebrate killing, which is despicable, but when I woke up this morning and saw people across the U.S. celebrating his killing I felt truly sad. As Brian’s friend puts it:
Perhaps the death of Osama Bin Laden has made this world more safe. I do not believe, however, that his death has made this world more beautiful.
Mixed media piece above by Patrick Giordano