Proud to Be

I must be one of the most unpopular Americans today. I'm sure of it.

While our nation was celebrating the death of a terrorist, I sat horrified, watching so many people rejoice in murder. Did Osama Bin Laden do alot of bad things? Absolutely. But I have a hard time believing that any one person is all bad. I bet he still had a family - one that is now mourning his death.

Watching the news last night, I did not hear a single reporter, analyst, or commentator say anything other than "justice has been done". Why is that our job to create justice? If he was a threat to our country, why wasn't he simply captured? There is so much hype about his body being in US hands- this is something we are bragging about! Analysts are even saying that we will probably be able to see pictures of it to prove that he is actually dead. How sad.

What happened to mercy? I believe in a God who shows endless mercy. Who says that it is not our responsibility to show justice to others, that HE will punish the sinners on judgement day.

It has already been argued with me that "we killed him the right way, though! We didn't kill any women or children. He massacred thousands of innocent people!" I'm sorry- I don't agree. A death is a death, and to me- there is nothing justified about it. I understand the "bad guy" needing to be found and off the streets, but this just doesn't sit comfortably with me.

Another thought that kills me is the thousands of people rejoicing in front of the White House. We didn't win a war - in all actuality, we probably just started one. Analysts said that Al Qaeda was not a hierarchy, but a network. Bin Laden wasn't in charge. Getting rid of him does not get rid of Al Qaeda. Killing him does not stop terrorism. It just sent a big 'F you to terrorists. And what about Pakistan's involvement? The guy was living there in a million dollar home, surrounded by barbed wire fences, two security gates with guards, and no telephone or cable service. As if the government had no idea he was there. So now what does all of this mean? I think it's scary to think about what is coming as retaliation.

Like I said, I am a very unpopular American today. You probably disagree with my thoughts. This is why I hate talking politics and religion-- there's no way to discuss my side without an opposition. But watching the news and then seeing so many of my Facebook friends rejoicing over this just makes me sick. We are a country who is celebrating death and it just doesn't seem right. I may not feel proud to be an American today, but I am Proud to Be a believer in our Lord, who calls us to show mercy to others.