My Concise Opinion on the Death of Osama Bin Laden

There has been a cacophony of opinion and thought regarding the death of Osama Bin Laden.  I agree with most of the opinions – even those which are opposing and argue against the other. I have refused to comment thus far because I believe it is a nuanced matter. I have heard truth in most of the arguments I’ve heard, but I’ve been hesitant to fully agree with one side. so…

My opinion:

• Justice has taken place. I take no side. But simply say, justice has happened. Who? What? Whether? etc… are questions I refuse to answer. I use the term “justice” loosely, in a universal sense. There has been universal retribution for Osama’s decision to live a life of violence. He lived by the sword and he died by the sword.
• The death of a human life is never cause to celebrate. There is nothing beautiful or awesome about death, ever.
• The cessation of forces of oppression, violence, evil, malevolence, destruction and death is cause to celebrate. Osama Bin Laden was an executioner of such forces for thousands of people… his force of death will never be a presence in this world again and that is a hopeful event, not the demise of the person, but the demise of the force.

Other thoughts:

The universal law of justice is governed by an equally powerful force: grace. As a follower of Christ, I believe in heeding Christ’s teachings to love ones enemy and to forgive unconditionally. I cannot condemn justice – it is natural law, it would not be right to call something unjust when it is in fact just. However, I do choose to strive to be a person of grace and forgiveness. My call is not to be an executioner of justice, but a dispenser of grace. We see this idea displayed in the injustice of Christ suffering on the cross – undeserved and unfair, yet grace is displayed (I would argue, more beautifully than anywhere else in the history of the universe).

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