The Problem with Celebrating Death

“We have a choice. We can choose the high road, or we can choose the low road. The high road maintains the integrity of life & mourns loss that comes with death. The low road celebrates death & ignores the consequences. I choose the high road. When we choose the high road, we choose the narrow path that leads to eternal life. If we choose the low road we are, fundamentally, no different than those we condemn.“

When I first heard the news that Osama Bin Laden had been killed, I was somewhat surprised that I felt a sense of shock and concern. While I think that this is a setback to the terrorists, it can easily steel their resolve to deliver another major blow to our safety and freedom. I am not the least bit unhappy that the man who committed so many atrocities and evil is gone, but I find it very hard to celebrate this. That may sound strange to some, so I’ll explain.

First, I remember seeing the news clips of some people around the world dancing in the streets after the twin towers came down. I admit I was quite angry that they could celebrate the deaths of thousands of innocent individuals. How could a person of supposed strong faith take joy in death? As I saw so many Americans celebrating the news of OBL’s death, I started to wonder what Muslims around the world must think of this. Are we reinforcing the perception that we are the evil big, bad Americans? I may be wrong, but I feel that this celebratory response to death (albeit not of an innocent individual) makes us no better than those we condemned 10 years ago.

Second, I think of what I would feel if I had to shoot and kill a person in self-defense. If I truly felt my life was in danger and I had no choice but to take a life to preserve mine, how would I respond? I can’t imagine for one second that I would celebrate that act. I might feel relief that I survived, and feel some sense of joy in being alive, but I cannot see myself rejoicing over killing another person, regardless of how evil that person is.

I tend to think that disorganized crime is usually a bigger threat than organized crime. Now that OBL is gone, what happens to Al Qaeda? Do you have radicals around the world trying to take control by creating hysteria through numerous random violent acts? Does AQ split up creating numerous groups that the US Intel organizations now have to track? Does a clear leader immerge, and use OBLs death as a cohesive force to increase support amongst some of the radicals who were drifting away? Too many questions and no clear answers, and thus my concern.

Lastly, the war on terror is not over. Sadly, I don't think it's a war that will ever end. But this is a small victory in an ongoing battle.  It's also a much needed moral boost to some pretty brave men and women who fight the battle every day. I will not take away their right or desire to celebrate this victory in whatever way they see fit. But as I sit here safe, warm, and well-rested in my comfortable home, I see no desire or need to celebrate death when I risk nothing.

I could not be happier that the US troops safely executed their mission without the loss of life. The US Navy Seals did what they had to do in a very difficult situation. I salute their service. They are the best in the world at what they do, and I am glad that they on our team.